Description

This slow cooker chicken stew features tender chicken, root vegetables, and a savory Golden Thyme Broth, perfect for a comforting and healthy weeknight meal with minimal effort. It’s a family-friendly dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal prep, ideal for busy schedules.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces (or chicken breasts)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (ensure certified gluten-free for dietary needs)
2 lbs Yukon Gold or red potatoes, diced into 1-inch pieces (sweet potatoes are a great swap)
3 medium carrots (170g), peeled and sliced 0.5-inch thick
2 stalks celery (110g), sliced 0.5-inch thick
1 large onion (220g), diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
6 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1.5 tsp dried thyme)
1 large bay leaf
1 tsp salt, or to taste
0.5 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

Prep Vegetables: Dice the onion, slice carrots and celery, mince garlic, and dice potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and pleasant texture.
Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper. Searing is optional on busy weeknights.
Combine Ingredients: Place all prepped vegetables, seasoned chicken, undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, fresh thyme sprigs (or dried thyme), and the bay leaf into your 6-quart slow cooker. Stir gently until everything is well combined and submerged.
Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft. If the stew seems too thin, mash some of the tender potatoes against the side of the pot to naturally thicken it.
Serve Hot: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf and any visible thyme sprigs. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, piping hot.

Notes

Ensure chicken broth is certified gluten-free for dietary needs; this recipe is naturally dairy-free. For extra fiber and protein, add 1 can (15 oz) rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas. Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or parsnips for varied flavor. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas or corn during the last 15 minutes of cooking for convenience. Save prep time by using pre-cut vegetables or skipping the optional chicken searing step. Boost nutrients by adding fresh spinach or kale during the last 30 minutes, or enhance flavor with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 420 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 350 g)
Calories: 380 calories
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken stew, golden thyme broth, healthy, family-friendly, weeknight, easy dinner, comfort food, hearty