Get ready to fall in love with comfort food all over again with our Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe. This delightful dish combines tender chicken thighs with a sumptuous array of vegetables, delivering a soul-warming experience that’s perfect for any dinner occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor-Packed: This stew is infused with a rich tapestry of flavors, thanks to the blend of herbs and spices that perfectly complement the chicken.
- Comfort in a Bowl: With its hearty ingredients and warm broth, it’s an ideal dish for chilly nights when you crave something cozy.
- Versatile Ingredients: Easily adaptable to what’s in your fridge, making it great for using up leftover veggies.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike will love this tasty, filling meal that pleases even picky eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of our Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building that irresistible flavor and hearty texture that makes this stew a classic. Let’s gather the essentials!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Their rich flavor and tenderness make them perfect for slow cooking.
- Garlic: Offers a fragrant depth we simply can’t do without!
- Carrots and Celery: Add sweetness and subtle earthiness, creating balance in every bite.
- Beef Stock: Boosts the savory notes, giving the stew a darker, richer color and taste.
- Crushed Tomato: Introduces acidity that pairs wonderfully with our sweet and savory ingredients.
Variations
This Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe is delicious as it is, but don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it. Here are a few tweaks you can make to suit different tastes and needs!
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap out the chicken for hearty legumes like chickpeas or lentils for a plant-based version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a touch of chili powder or cayenne for those who love their stews with a bit of heat.
How to Make Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the chicken, seasoning it with salt and pepper, and cook until beautifully browned on all sides. This step locks in the flavor and juices, setting the foundation for your stew.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Next, toss in the garlic and onions, giving them a quick sauté until they’re fragrant. Add in the carrots and celery, cooking for a few more minutes. This stage ensures the vegetables are tender and infused with the delicious aromas of garlic and onion.
Step 3: Create the Stew Base
Incorporate the flour, mixing it in until fully combined, then gradually pour in the beef stock while stirring. Add in the crushed tomatoes and season with Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and a bit more salt and pepper for good measure.
Step 4: Final Simmer
Add the halved potatoes, cover, and let the stew simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and introduce the mushrooms and green beans, allowing everything to simmer for an additional 10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe
- Perfect Browning: Make sure the chicken achieves a deep brown sear to seal in flavors.
- Deglazing: Deglaze the pan thoroughly with the broth to capture all savory bits stuck to the pot.
- Thickening the Stew: Keeping the lid off during the final simmer helps the sauce thicken beautifully.
- Veggie Variety: Change up the vegetables seasonally for different flavors throughout the year.
How to Serve Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright pop of color and an herbal note that beautifully complements the stew’s richness. A dash of black pepper at serving time can provide an aromatic lift.
Side Dishes
This stew shines alongside crusty bread, perfect for mopping up every last drop of the savory broth. Mashed potatoes or a simple steamed rice can also make excellent accompaniments.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving your Hearty Chicken Stew in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the vibrant vegetables and tender chicken pieces. A rustic wooden board with various garnishes will add a delightful touch of elegance to your presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The stew often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together beautifully.
Freezing
This chicken stew freezes wonderfully for up to three months. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Reheating
Reheat your stew gently over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick and easy meal.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breast in this Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe?
While thighs are recommended for their tenderness, chicken breast can be used. Simply add it in the last five minutes of cooking to prevent drying out.
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What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce?
A blend of soy sauce and a dash of vinegar can mimic the savory depth Worcestershire sauce adds to the stew.
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Is it okay to use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, but you may want to increase the cooking time slightly as fresh tomatoes often release more liquid than canned.
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How can I thicken my stew if it’s too thin?
If the stew is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes or mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty Chicken Stew Recipe is truly a beloved classic with a cozy, heartwarming appeal. Don’t miss the chance to bring this savory delight to your table and enjoy with loved ones! Have fun cooking and let the kitchen be filled with the irresistible aroma of a meal that promises comfort and joy.
Print
Pastalaya Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and flavorful chicken stew cooked in a rich tomato and vegetable broth, featuring tender chicken thighs, potatoes, mushrooms, and green beans, perfect served with crusty bread for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Meat & Oil
- 0.5 tbsp olive oil
- 750g/1.5lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3cm / 1.25″ pieces
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 dried bay leaves
Vegetables
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, sliced 1cm / 1/3″ thick
- 2 celery stalks, sliced 1cm / 1/3″ thick
- 350g/12 oz baby potatoes, halved
- 200g/6 oz mushrooms, halved (large quartered)
- 150g/5 oz green beans, trimmed and halved
Flour & Liquids
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 cups (750ml) beef stock or chicken broth, low sodium
Canned & Sauces
- 400g/14 oz crushed tomatoes, canned
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Additional
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Place olive oil and bacon (if using) in a large heavy casserole pot over high heat. Once hot, add chicken thighs, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides.
- Add aromatics: Add minced garlic and sliced onion to the pot, cook for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook vegetables: Add sliced celery and carrots, cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sauté and simmer: Allow to simmer rapidly for 2 minutes to remove alcohol smell. Stir in flour until fully incorporated, then gradually add half of the beef or chicken broth, stirring constantly. Pour in remaining broth and add canned crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Cook potatoes: Add halved baby potatoes, cover the pot with a lid, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish with vegetables: Remove lid, stir in halved mushrooms and green beans. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened. Serve hot with crusty bread, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the lid remains off during the final 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken properly.
- For a richer flavor, you can deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine before adding the broth.
- Use fresh herbs if available for an even more vibrant taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 350g)
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1231 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg
