Name: White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup dry white wine; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, minced; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 large yellow onion, chopped; 2 large carrots, peeled, halved, and sliced; 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, diced; 2/3 cup frozen peas; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup heavy cream

Nothing beats the cozy comfort of a homemade stew on a chilly evening. This White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe combines tender chicken with the brightness of herbs and a splash of white wine, offering a rich, soothing dish that's surprisingly easy to pull together.

A close-up view of a creamy chicken stew in a black crockpot showing a thick white sauce mixed with visible chunks of light brown chicken, bright orange carrot pieces, yellow potato chunks, small green peas, and bits of translucent onion, all seasoned with small green herbs. The stew fills the crockpot almost to the top, creating a rich, hearty look with a mix of soft textures above the black rim of the pot, all set on 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 White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe dozens of times and every batch feels like a warm hug. What I love most is how the slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing the flavors to deepen while you go about your day.

Effortless Flavor Boost: The dry white wine and fresh herbs bring an elegant, vibrant taste with minimal effort.
Hands-Off Cooking: You just set it and forget it with the slow cooker, freeing up your time.
Comfort in Every Bite: Creamy, tender chicken with vegetables that melt in your mouth — pure comfort food.
Flexible and Family-Friendly: It’s easy to tweak according to what you have on hand or your family’s taste preferences.

A close-up of a creamy stew with large chunks of light brown cooked chicken, bright orange carrot pieces, green peas, and yellow potato cubes, all mixed in a thick white sauce. The stew is being scooped with a silver ladle above a pot filled with the same mix. The sauce has a smooth texture with some visible herbs scattered through it. The background shows more stew in the pot with the colors blending softly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe sings because of the balance between the savory chicken, bright white wine, and fragrant herbs. Each ingredient plays a role in building layers of flavor while the slow cooker melds everything into a perfect, creamy stew.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, two whole uncracked brown chicken breasts, a large yellow onion chopped into pieces on a white ceramic plate, two fresh whole carrots peeled and halved on a white plate, a mound of diced Yukon gold potatoes on a simple white ceramic dish, four peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of dry white wine, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl with a heap of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of frozen green peas, fresh sprigs of rosemary and thyme arranged neatly, scattered coarse kosher salt crystals and fresh ground black peppercorns, all 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 awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Helps you brown the chicken, locking in flavor before slow cooking.
Chicken breast: I prefer boneless, skinless for ease and tenderness.
Chicken broth: Adds a savory base that complements the wine without overpowering.
Dry white wine: The star ingredient — it brightens the dish and deepens complexity.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds subtle umami richness that you might not expect but definitely crave.
Fresh rosemary and thyme: These herbs infuse the stew with fragrant, earthy notes.
Garlic and onion: Classic aromatics that build a flavorful foundation.
Carrots and Yukon gold potatoes: Hearty vegetables that soak up the stew’s goodness perfectly.
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the stew for a luscious consistency.
Heavy cream: Adds a silky richness that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Frozen peas: Stirred in last for a pop of freshness and color.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Season well to let the flavors shine.

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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 how forgiving this White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe is. You can easily swap in vegetables you have around or swap white wine for a non-alcoholic alternative if desired—though that dry white adds a special brightness you don’t want to miss.

Variation: I sometimes add mushrooms for extra earthiness, and my family loves it that way. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier, more rustic stew.
Diet-friendly Swap: Use coconut cream in place of heavy cream for a dairy-free twist that still keeps it creamy.
Herb Alternatives: If you don’t have fresh rosemary or thyme, dried works too—just use about a third of the amount and add it earlier in the cooking process.

Step-by-Step: How I Make White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken pieces well with salt and pepper. Brown them for 5-6 minutes — you’re not cooking them through yet, just getting that beautiful golden crust that adds wonderful depth of flavor to the stew. Once done, transfer the chicken into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Layer in the Flavorful Ingredients

Into the slow cooker go the chicken broth, dry white wine, Worcestershire sauce, fresh herbs, garlic, onions, carrots, and diced potatoes. Give everything a gentle stir to mix those flavors. Then, cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

Step 3: Creamify and Thicken the Stew

When the timer’s up, scoop out about half a cup of the cooking liquid into a bowl. Whisk in the heavy cream, then slowly blend in the flour until smooth—no lumps allowed here! Pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and stir it in. Add the frozen peas, then cook uncovered on high for another 15-20 minutes so everything thickens up nicely.

Step 4: Final Seasoning and Serve

Before digging in, taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. This final check ensures the stew hits all the right notes—savory, creamy, bright, and comforting.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few things through trial and error with this stew that helped me nail the flavor and texture every time. Slow cooker stews can sometimes get watery or unevenly thickened, but these tricks make a big difference.

Browning Chicken: Don’t skip this step! It adds a caramelized depth that lifts the entire stew.
Gradual Thickening: Mixing the flour with cream and a bit of broth avoids lumps and lets you control the stew’s creaminess perfectly.
Cooking Time: Stick to the suggested times. Overcooking can make the chicken dry and veggies mushy, so set your slow cooker accordingly.
Fresh Herbs Matter: Use fresh rosemary and thyme whenever you can; they give the stew that bright, fragrant aroma that dried herbs just can’t quite match.

How to Serve White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a little extra chopped thyme over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish. Sometimes I add a light drizzle of good olive oil just before serving—it feels fancy, but it’s such a nice touch.

Side Dishes

This stew is a one-pot wonder, but I love pairing it with a crusty baguette or warm dinner rolls to soak up all that luscious sauce. A simple mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness nicely, too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this stew in individual rustic bowls with a sprig of rosemary perched on top. You could even ladle it over buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta for an extra special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover stew in airtight containers in the fridge, and it keeps wonderfully for about 3-4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, so the next-day lunch always feels like a treat.

Freezing

Freezing works great too! I portion the stew into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating gently on the stove to preserve the creamy texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the stew over low heat on the stove with a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick. Microwave works too, but stirring in a little extra liquid helps keep it from curdling or drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add more fat and richness to the stew. Just brown and cook them the same way. They won’t dry out as easily and give a more tender result.

What type of white wine should I use for the stew?

I recommend using a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Avoid anything too sweet as it can alter the flavor balance of the stew.

Can I make this stew in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Use the sauté function to brown the chicken, then pressure cook on high for about 15 minutes. Finish by mixing in the cream and flour slurry and cooks a few minutes more on sauté to thicken.

Is it okay to skip the heavy cream or use a substitute?

You can skip heavy cream for a lighter stew or use substitutes like coconut cream or Greek yogurt. Just add them at the end and stir gently to avoid curdling. Keep in mind, heavy cream gives the richest texture.

Final Thoughts

This White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe always feels like a little celebration of simple, soulful cooking. It’s one of those dishes that brings people together around the table, warming hearts and bellies alike. Give it a go—you might just catch yourself making it again and again like I do!