Chicken Stew: Tender, Flavorful Slow Cooker Comfort Food

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs - extra fat trimmed; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil - for searing; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 4 medium carrots - peeled and sliced; 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves - or ¾ teaspoon dried; ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced - or ¼ teaspoon dried; 3 medium red potatoes, quartered - or baby red potatoes; 3 bay leaves - dried or fresh; 1 cup frozen peas; ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley; 5 cups chicken broth, divided - plus more as needed; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

Slow Cooker Tender Chicken Stew Recipe is one of those cozy meals that fills your kitchen with warmth without having you tied to the stove. If you’re after a dinner that’s both hands-off and packed with comfort, this stew is a total game-changer.

The image shows a close-up of a slow cooker filled with a thick, orange broth soup that has a glossy, smooth texture. Visible in the soup are chunks of cooked chicken with a pale, soft texture, bright orange slices of carrots, and small, round green peas scattered throughout. There are also shredded chicken pieces mixed in, adding a fibrous layer to the dish. Some finely chopped green herbs are sprinkled on top of the soup, adding contrast. The soup looks warm and hearty, with the ingredients evenly distributed in the rich broth. A black spoon is scooping some of the soup, lifting a mix of chicken, carrots, peas, and broth. The slow cooker is black and set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Tender Chicken Stew Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Tender Chicken Stew Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, this slow cooker chicken stew quickly became my go-to when I want something satisfying without fuss. It’s just the right blend of tender chicken, rich broth, and hearty veggies that hits all the comfort spots. Plus, it’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.

Rich Flavor Infusion: Using bone-in chicken thighs ensures every spoonful is bursting with deep, savory goodness.
Effortless Cooking: You just prep, set the slow cooker, and come back to a perfectly tender stew—no babysitting required.
Perfect Comfort Food: The combination of carrots, potatoes, and fresh herbs makes it taste like a warm hug on a chilly day.
Customizable: Whether you want to add more veggies or swap herbs, it’s super easy to tailor it to what you have or prefer.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting the ingredients right is key in this slow cooker tender chicken stew recipe. Each component brings something special to the pot, whether it’s flavor, texture, or that slow-cooked soul-warming magic.

Flat lay of whole bone-in chicken thighs with trimmed fat, a medium yellow onion diced, six peeled garlic cloves, four peeled and sliced medium carrots, a small dollop of thick red tomato paste in a white ceramic bowl, fresh thyme leaves scattered, minced fresh rosemary sprigs, three quartered medium red potatoes, three whole bay leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with frozen green peas, finely chopped fresh Italian parsley arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bone-in chicken thighs: They add rich flavor and tender juiciness that boneless cuts just can’t match.
Yellow onion: A natural sweetness base that softens and melds beautifully during the slow cook.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth that's subtle but essential for that savory punch.
Carrots: Give a nice sweetness and hold shape well after hours of cooking.
Tomato paste: Adds umami richness and helps build a thick, flavorful broth.
Fresh thyme and rosemary: Their earthiness brightens the stew and complements the chicken perfectly.
Red potatoes: Creamy when cooked, they absorb flavors without losing their texture.
Bay leaves: Impart a subtle herbal nuance—don’t skip these!
Chicken broth: The liquid backbone that ties it all together with savory depth.
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the stew, giving it that perfect hearty consistency.
Frozen peas: Added at the end for a fresh pop of color and sweetness.
Italian parsley: Sprinkled in last for a fresh, bright finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching things up with this stew depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. You should feel free to make it your own—the slow cooker is forgiving, and the flavors hold up well to tweaks.

Variation: Sometimes I swap red potatoes for Yukon gold for a creamier texture. Last fall, I added parsnips for an earthy twist, and it was a hit.
Dietary adjustments: If you want it lighter, boneless skinless chicken breasts work too, but keep an eye on cooking time to prevent dryness.
Herb swaps: If fresh thyme or rosemary isn’t handy, dried herbs work great—just remember to reduce the quantity slightly as they are more concentrated.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Tender Chicken Stew Recipe

A white bowl filled with a thick chicken stew showing three main layers: the bottom layer is a rich, golden brown broth, the middle layer features chunky vegetables including orange carrot slices, green peas, and large yellow potato pieces, and the top layer has shredded light brown chicken pieces sprinkled with chopped green herbs. Resting on the edge of the bowl is a golden, flaky biscuit with a textured surface. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a striped cloth underneath, and another similar bowl partially visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the chicken to lock in flavor

Start by seasoning those bone-in chicken thighs well with salt and pepper—this is where seasoning begins layering. Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Let the chicken sit undisturbed for a few minutes until you get that beautiful golden brown crust. Searing isn’t just for looks; it caramelizes the skin and locks flavor in, which really shines through in the stew.

Step 2: Sauté the vegetables and deglaze the pan

Without wiping the skillet clean (hello, those flavorful browned bits!), throw in a bit more olive oil if needed, then add diced yellow onions and sliced carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start softening. As the onions soften, scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to lift those tasty bits off—it’s slow cooking magic starting here. If anything threatens to stick or burn, splash a little chicken broth to keep things moving smoothly.

Step 3: Add garlic, herbs, and tomato paste for depth

Next up, toss in the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for another minute or two until you can smell that gorgeous aroma filling your kitchen. Stir in the tomato paste and coat the veggies well—that punch of umami will enrich the stew base. Pour in about half a cup of broth to deglaze the skillet again, grabbing every drop of flavor before transferring everything to the slow cooker along with the browned chicken.

Step 4: Add potatoes, bay leaves, and broth; set slow cooker

Now for the hearty stuff—quartered red potatoes and bay leaves join the party. Add a little more salt and pepper here to layer seasoning. Pour in the rest of the chicken broth, cover, and set your slow cooker to high for about 4 hours. If you’re like me, you’ll find four hours is just enough to get that tender, juicy chicken without it getting stringy.

Step 5: Thicken the stew and add peas

About 30 minutes before it's done, mix flour with some room-temperature chicken broth to make a slurry—this step is crucial to avoid clumps. Stir the slurry and frozen peas into the slow cooker. This will thicken up the broth just right as it finishes cooking, making it rich and satisfying.

Step 6: Shred chicken and finish with parsley

When the stew’s ready, carefully remove the chicken pieces and shred the meat, discarding bones—and if you used skin-on thighs, make sure to remove that too. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir in fresh chopped Italian parsley, and taste for seasoning. This last fresh herb addition adds a bright note that lifts the whole dish.

Top Tip

I’ve made this slow cooker tender chicken stew recipe dozens of times, and a few insights always boost the result: It’s about layering flavors, patience, and avoiding the common traps like overcooking the chicken or ending up with a bland broth.

Proper Searing: Don’t rush searing the chicken—let it get a nice crust undisturbed for maximum flavor.
Deglazing the Pan: Always scrape those browned bits off the pan after sautéing veggies – that’s your flavor jackpot.
Flour Slurry Temperature: Use room-temp broth to mix with flour; hot broth won’t blend well and can cause lumps.
Cooking Time Balance: Four hours on high is my sweet spot; longer can cause chicken to dry out or shred into stringy pieces.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Tender Chicken Stew Recipe

The image shows a black slow cooker filled with small red potatoes sitting in a reddish-brown broth. A woman's hand is pouring clear liquid from a glass measuring cup above the potatoes, creating a splash. The potatoes are spread evenly in the cooker, some slightly submerged, and the broth has small bits of herbs floating inside. The slow cooker is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh chopped Italian parsley on top before serving—it adds a pop of color and a fresh, herby brightness that balances the rich stew. Sometimes I add a few cracked black peppercorns on top for that little kick, too.

Side Dishes

For sides, I love crusty bread or buttery biscuits to scoop up all that luscious broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette works wonderfully to cut through the stew’s richness, creating a balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve served this stew for guests, I’ve gotten playful by ladling it into hollowed-out bread bowls. It’s fun, rustic, and keeps things warm longer. For a special touch, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of herb-infused oil unforgettable finishes the presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I usually cool the stew completely before storing to keep the texture of the veggies and chicken intact.

Freezing

This stew freezes well! I portion it into freezer-safe containers, making sure to leave a bit of headspace for expansion. When ready to eat, I thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. If it gets too thick, I add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up. Microwave works fine too, just cover and heat in short intervals.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs can be used, but bone-in will always offer more flavor and moisture. If using boneless, reduce cooking time slightly to avoid dryness.

Can I prepare this stew in a multi-cooker with a sauté function?

Absolutely! If your multi-cooker has a sauté or browning feature, you can do all the steps in one pot, which saves on cleanup and intensifies flavor.

What if I don't have fresh herbs?

You can substitute dried herbs—use about a third of the amount of fresh since dried herbs are more potent. Adjust to taste as dried herbs tend to vary in intensity.

Can I double this recipe for a bigger batch?

Yes! You can double the ingredients and use a larger slow cooker. Just make sure not to overcrowd the pot for even cooking. The cooking time on high will remain about the same, but check for doneness.

Final Thoughts

This slow cooker tender chicken stew recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hand on a cold day. It’s simple, forgiving, and absolutely delicious—exactly what you want from a comforting homemade meal. I hope you give it a shot and find it becoming a beloved staple in your meal rotation too. Trust me, once you try it slowed down to tender perfection, it’s hard to go back to anything else.