Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (2024)

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If you don’t know, we’re huge fans of Crockpot chicken recipes. Chicken is a main dish my family will eat in almost any form and the slow cooker is my trusty sidekick on our busy nights. I use it a lot during the fall and winter and I love making meals that fall into the comfort food category. ThisChicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe is perfect for chilly nights or rainy nights or really just any night!

It’s hearty and packed with flavor while still being so easy to make! It’s also on the healthy side without the kids realizing it which makes it even better!

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (1)

CHICKEN STEW CROCK POT RECIPE

There are two easy ways to make this slow cooker chicken stew. You can put your chicken straight into the Crockpot with everything else and let it cook. But sometimes I’ve made a huge batch of Crockpot Shredded Chicken that I’ll use. If you are using shredded chicken you already have, you can tweak the cooking time to make it a bit shorter.

The great thing about this chicken stew Crock Pot recipe is that it’s easy to adjust the amount of chicken stew you make. You can make a smaller batch or a larger batch easily as long as you have a Crockpot that will fit it all!

For our family, I often use an additional chicken breast because I like having more chicken. It’s easy to add more vegetables too! I love that it’s simple to tweak to make it just like your family likes it.

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (2)

You’ll need some basic ingredients and a little bit of prep time. But there’s not much chopping to do. If you don’t want to dice onions, you can buy some that are already cut when you shop. Our grocery store usually has them in the produce area.

For the potatoes, you can use the canned diced potatoes. You might end up with softer potatoes but if you’re pressed for prep time, it’s a good alternative. Instead of 2 peeled and diced potatoes, you can substitute one can of diced new potatoes.

Those tricks combined with using frozen vegetables can make your prep time minimal. It turns this recipe into one with almost zero prep. Of course, you can also use all fresh veggies too!

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (3)

CHICKEN STEW CROCK POT INGREDIENTS

Most of the seasonings you need to make chicken stew are probably in your pantry as they’re pretty basic. You can tweak the flavor with your favorite seasonings too. My family likes a pretty mellow flavor so I don’t use anything spicy but I’d love to try it with a bit of a kick!

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon parsley
  • 1 bag frozen vegetable blend (peas, corn, carrots, and green beans)
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup water

Besides your Crockpot, there are a few more pieces of kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this recipe. Here are some affiliate links to products we like:

If you want yourclean up to be super easy, I highly recommend usingSlow Cooker Liners! When your food is ready, it’s simple to just pull the liner out, leaving your Crock Pot clean!

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (4)

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN STEW IN THE SLOW COOKER

Chop the potatoes and onions.

Place the chicken breasts in the bowl of the slow cooker and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley.

Layer the frozen vegetables, potatoes, onion, and tomatoes on top of the chicken.

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (5)

Add the chicken broth and water. Stir to combine.

Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.

Before serving, remove the chicken from the Crockpot and allow to cool slightly. Shred both chicken breasts using forks and return to the slow cooker.

Enjoy with crackers or warm bread!

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Crock Pot Chicken Stew

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Chop the potatoes and onions.

  • Place the chicken breasts in the bowl of the slow cooker and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley.

  • Layer the frozen vegetables, potatoes, onion, and tomatoes on top of the chicken.

  • Ingredients for chicken stew crock pot recipe in slow cooker bowl

  • Add the chicken broth and water. Stir to combine.

  • Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.

  • Before serving, remove the chicken from the Crockpot and allow to cool slightly. Shred both chicken breasts using forks and return to the slow cooker.

  • Enjoy with crackers or warm bread!

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (7)

CROCK POT CHICKEN STEW FAQ

CAN I PUT RAW CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER?

Absolutely! Putting everything in the Crockpot and letting it cook is one of my tricks to super simple dinner ideas!

CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE AS A CREAMY CROCKPOT CHICKEN STEW?

If you like a creamier chicken stew, you can use cream of chicken soup in this recipe. Use 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup and 2 cups of chicken broth. You can also omit the water to make sure you get a thicker, creamy chicken stew.

CAN THIS CHICKEN STEW BE MADE ON THE STOVE?

Absolutely! If you want to make it on the stove, I would cook and shred your chicken before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. But then all you have to do is combine everything in a pot and bring it to a boil. Then let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll want to simmer long enough to make sure the potatoes are tender.

CAN I ADD PASTA?

Of course! For this recipe, if I’m planning to add dry pasta to it, I would add it for the last 30 minutes of cook time. It’s fun with a variety of pasta shapes too!

HOW DO I THICKEN CHICKEN STEW?

If you’d like a thicker stew without using cream of chicken soup, you can use cornstarch and water at the end of cooking time. Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. After you shred the chicken and put it back into the slow cooker, add the cornstarch mixture to the chicken stew. Then cook for 30 more minutes

CAN I FREEZE THE LEFTOVERS?

It’s easy to freeze any leftover chicken stew. Be sure to let any stew that you have left cool completely. Then you can put it in plastic freezer storage bags or airtight storage containers. It does well in the freezer for three months!

HOW SHOULD I REHEAT CHICKEN STEW?

Reheating leftover chicken stew is easy. You don’t need to use the slow cooker. You can heat individual portions in the microwave or heat all of your stew on the stove over low to medium heat.

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (8)

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE INGREDIENT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR STEW RECIPES? COMMENT AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE VEGGIES OR SEASONINGS!

**PIN the image below to save this recipe! It’s perfect for busy family nights or when you need a little comfort in your life!

MORE CROCKPOT CHICKEN RECIPES

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
  • Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (9)

Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Comfort Food • The Simple Parent (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw chicken in the slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Why is my chicken tough after cooking in crockpot? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic. Included with each meal is a set of instructions to help you cook the meals.

Can I use water instead of chicken broth in Crock-pot? ›

Chicken stock, low-sodium chicken broth, or water: I prefer chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth if I have it on hand because it adds a little more flavor, but water works equally well. Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

How do you thicken Crock-pot stew? ›

5) Adding Cornstarch Slurry

A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of a cold liquid with cornstarch. It is used as a thickening agent, and is particularly common in Asian sauces. As a rule of thumb, dissolve 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry to your sauce as it simmers in the slow cooker.

Does chicken need to be covered in liquid in crockpot? ›

When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and directions for best results.

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Why are my potatoes still hard in the crockpot? ›

Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.

Can you overcook chicken in slow cooker? ›

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it.

How do you keep chicken from falling apart in a slow cooker? ›

Chicken pieces, particularly chicken thighs and legs, will dry out less quickly and maintain their texture best when layered on top of other ingredients. Plus, this helps to flavor the entire dish as the chicken cooks and releases juices.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot? ›

For optimal results, it's generally recommended to cook chicken on the low setting in a crockpot. This slower cooking method allows the chicken to become more tender and absorb flavors, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish compared to using the high setting.

Can I use bouillon instead of broth? ›

Are those ingredients interchangeable? Yes, they are. Sometimes speedy recipes will call for broth or granules since they're quicker than bouillon cubes. However, one bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon of granules dissolved in 1 cup of boiling water may be substituted for 1 cup of broth in any recipe.

Is chicken broth and bouillon the same? ›

Bouillon is made by removing the water from chicken broth, leaving all the flavor of the broth without the volume. Bouillon is typically sold as a loose powder or compact cube, which can be redissolved in boiling water to create an instant broth. One benefit of using chicken bouillon is its shelf stability.

Is it better to thicken stew with flour or cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. When a gravy, sauce, soup or stew recipe calls for flour, use half as much cornstarch to thicken. To thicken hot liquids, first mix cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into hot liquid until blended.

Does taking the lid off a slow cooker thicken the sauce? ›

Take the lid off

Place the cooker on a high setting, and open the lid for 30-45 minutes to let excess moisture cook off. The liquid will reduce, leaving you with a thick and delicious gravy or sauce. (Tip: This trick can also be applied for thickening stews, or when you've accidentally added too much liquid.)

How can I thicken my stew in a slow cooker without cornstarch? ›

Add a slurry at the end.

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

How long does it take to cook raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Will raw meat cook in a crockpot? ›

Kornblum tells SELF that while, yes, you technically can slow-cook with raw meat, you won't get your best results this way. You'll have better luck in the flavor department if you sear it first— browning adds a nice, caramelized depth to the dish.

Can I put everything in the slow cooker raw? ›

For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.

Do you need to cook meat before putting it in a slow cooker? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

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