Description

This family-friendly crockpot chicken stew is a simple, satisfying, and delicious set-it-and-forget-it dinner. It is perfect for busy parents seeking easy high-protein meals that nourish the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
4 cups diced potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 large chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Chop chicken into 1-inch pieces. Dice potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion uniformly. Mince garlic until fragrant.
Layer into Crockpot: Place the chopped chicken at the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot. Layer with the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic over the chicken.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Add the dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and paprika. Give it a gentle stir to combine all the delicious elements.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover your crockpot with the lid. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds, and all the vegetables are fork-tender.
Shred and Serve: Carefully remove the chicken pieces from the crockpot and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir well to integrate the chicken. Serve the thick, rich, and wonderfully fragrant stew.

Notes

For extra richness, use chicken thighs. Sweet potatoes can replace regular potatoes. Low-carb options include swapping potatoes for cauliflower florets or daikon radish. Boost protein with cannellini beans. For a quick garlic swap, use 1 tsp garlic powder per clove. For extra umami, a dash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce can elevate flavors. If the stew looks too thin after cooking, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking. If too thick, add more broth. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas or corn and garnish with 2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives at the end for enhanced flavor and color. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Prep Time: 27 minutes
Cook Time: 360 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups (360 g)
Calories: 300 calories
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 500 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: family-friendly, crockpot, chicken stew, high-protein, easy, meal prep, slow cooker, healthy, comfort food, set-it-and-forget-it