Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

You know those days when you wake up and just know it's going to be one of those weeks? Last Tuesday was exactly that kind of day. Emily had three different after-school activities, I had back-to-back meetings, and the weather forecast was calling for freezing rain. That's when I threw together this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew in about 10 minutes flat, turned on my crock pot, and basically forgot about dinner until we walked in the door that evening.

This slow cooker chicken stew is seriously my go-to recipe when I need something warm, filling, and ready when we are. It's packed with tender chicken thighs, chunks of potatoes, sweet carrots, and a creamy (but dairy-free!) broth that'll warm you right up. Plus, it's gluten-free and can totally work for Paleo or Whole30 if that's your thing.

If you're looking for more set-it-and-forget-it comfort food, you'll want to check out my slow cooker beef stew too!

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Storage & Reheating Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Tips For The Best Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Why You Will Like This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Here's what makes this crock pot chicken stew recipe an absolute winner in my kitchen:

• Ridiculously simple prep - Seriously, 10 minutes of chopping and you're done. No complicated steps or fancy techniques needed here.
• Dairy-free but still creamy - I use almond milk instead of heavy cream, which keeps things light but still gives you that rich, comforting texture. Emily doesn't even notice it's not regular cream!
• Super flexible for different diets - Whether you're doing Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, or just trying to eat a bit healthier, this stew has got you covered.
• Actually tastes better the next day - Honestly? The leftovers are sometimes better than the first serving. Those flavors just keep getting better as they hang out together in your fridge.
• Uses ingredients you probably already have - No weird specialty items here. Just good, simple ingredients that work together beautifully.
• Perfect for meal prep - Make a big batch on Sunday and you've got lunch sorted for half the week. Trust me on this one.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Here's what you'll need to make this healthy slow cooker chicken stew:

• 1.5 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs - I prefer thighs because they stay so much more tender during the long cooking time, but chicken breast works too if that's what you've got
• 1 tablespoon olive oil - For browning the chicken
• Salt and pepper - Basic but essential!
• 3 carrots, chopped - I just do a rough chop here, nothing fancy
• 1 yellow onion, chopped - Sweet onions work great too
• 5 garlic cloves, chopped - Because garlic makes everything better
• 2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced - You can use Yukon gold or red potatoes if you prefer
• 2 tablespoon coconut aminos - This adds a subtle savory depth (you can use soy sauce or tamari instead)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth - I use low-sodium so I can control the salt level
• 1 cup almond milk - Or any milk you like! Even half-and-half if you want it extra rich
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch - Or arrowroot for a paleo-friendly option

How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Browning The Chicken (Optional But Recommended)

1. Cut the boneless chicken thighs into ½-inch pieces and season them generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the seasoned chicken pieces.
3. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked through and lightly browned. (Here's the thing - you can totally skip this step if you're in a rush, but browning the chicken first adds SO much more flavor. I've done it both ways and it's definitely worth the extra few minutes when you have time.)
4. Transfer the cooked chicken to your slow cooker.

Building The Stew

5. Add the chopped carrots, onion, garlic, and diced potatoes to the slow cooker with the chicken.
6. Sprinkle in the coconut aminos, salt, oregano, and rosemary, then tuck the bay leaf into the mixture.
7. Pour the chicken broth over everything and give it a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients.
8. Place the lid on your slow cooker and set it to LOW. Let it cook for 6 hours while you go about your day. (This is when you can run all those errands, work from home, or just relax knowing dinner is handling itself!)

Thickening The Stew

9. When the 6 hours is almost up, whisk together the milk and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
10. Pour this mixture into your slow cooker and stir everything together well.
11. Put the lid back on, turn the heat to HIGH, and let it cook for another 30-45 minutes. This is when the magic happens and your stew transforms from brothy to thick and creamy.
12. Season with black pepper to taste, fish out that bay leaf, and serve it up hot!

Storage & Reheating Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Refrigerator: Let your stew cool down completely (I usually leave it in the slow cooker insert with the lid off for about 30 minutes), then transfer it to sealed containers. It'll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Pour the cooled stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. It'll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Here's a little tip I learned the hard way - this stew thickens up quite a bit in the fridge. When you reheat it on the stovetop, you'll probably need to add a splash of extra broth or milk to loosen it back up. Just heat it gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it's warmed through.

Tips For The Best Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Want to make this easy chicken stew even better? Here are some things I've learned from making this recipe about a million times:

• Don't skip the browning step if you can help it - I know I said it's optional, but the extra flavor it adds is really worth those 5 minutes. Think of it as building layers of flavor right from the start.
• Cut your vegetables in similar-sized pieces - This way everything cooks evenly. Nothing worse than mushy carrots and rock-hard potatoes, right?
• Taste before serving - Every slow cooker is a bit different, and the salt level can vary depending on your broth. Always taste at the end and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Try different potato varieties - Red potatoes hold their shape better if you don't want them to break down as much. Yukon golds get nice and creamy. It's fun to experiment!
• Add a squeeze of lemon at the end - This is something I started doing recently and WOW, it really brightens up all those rich flavors. Just a little squeeze right before serving makes such a difference.
• Want it thicker? Use less milk or add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch. Want it brothier? Just add more broth at the end!

Can you make this in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop instead? Absolutely! For the Instant Pot, brown the chicken using the sauté function, add all the ingredients (except the milk and cornstarch), and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes with a natural release. Then stir in the milk-cornstarch mixture and let it simmer on sauté mode until thickened.

For stovetop, brown the chicken in a large pot, add the vegetables and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the milk-cornstarch mixture and simmer for another 10 minutes.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Recipes You May Like

If you're into easy slow cooker meals like this one, you'll definitely want to try these:

• Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Another set-it-and-forget-it winner with tender beef and vegetables
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup - Creamy, comforting, and topped with all your favorite potato toppings
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup - Rich and satisfying with pillowy gnocchi in every spoonful

Final Thoughts On This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew has seriously saved my sanity more times than I can count. There's something about coming home to a house that smells incredible and knowing dinner is already done that just makes everything better. Emily asks for this stew at least twice a month now (usually on Sunday nights for some reason).

The best part? You can customize it however you want. Throw in some celery if you've got it. Add a can of white beans for extra protein. Switch up the herbs. This recipe is really forgiving and works with whatever you have on hand.

So next time you're staring at a crazy week ahead, give this recipe a try. Your future self will thank you when you walk in the door to hot, ready-to-eat dinner!

Go ahead and make this easy chicken stew tonight! And don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it again when you need it.