Do Share Recipe

Best Chicken Stew Recipe | Hearty & Comforting Family Meal

I just made this best chicken stew recipe and couldn’t wait to share how comforting and satisfying it turned out. It’s the kind of dish I come home to when I’m craving warm, hearty food that still feels wholesome. I used tender chicken pieces, root vegetables, and a rich, seasoned broth that simmered away beautifully.

The aroma filled my kitchen and promised a cozy meal ahead. Whether it’s a weeknight or a chilly weekend, this stew hits the spot every time, and you can also enjoy the best taco soup recipe for another comforting bowl option.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious chicken stew, along with why each ingredient works well and some pro tips:

1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs), diced 1-inch — I prefer thighs because they hold up better during simmering.
2 tablespoons olive oil — for browning the chicken and building flavor.
2 carrots, diced — adds natural sweetness and good texture.
1 small onion, chopped — the aromatic base that gives depth.
2 ribs celery, diced — adds crunch and celery’s light flavor.
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour (divided) — helps thicken the stew; part used at start, part as a slurry later.
½ teaspoon dried rosemary — a fragrant herb that complements chicken.
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves — adds earthy, herbal notes beneficial in stews.
¼ teaspoon ground sage — subtle warmth and depth to the seasoning.
Salt and black pepper to taste — essential for seasoning throughout.
1½ cups diced potatoes (peeled if using russets or baking potatoes) — hearty, comforting texture.
1½ cups diced sweet potatoes (peeled) — adds sweetness and helps thicken the stew naturally.
½ red bell pepper, finely diced — color, flavor, and additional veg goodness.
¼ cup white wine — deglazes the pot and adds depth of flavor.
4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock — the base of the stew, rich and savory.
1 cup green beans cut into 1-inch pieces (or 1 cup frozen peas, thawed) — last-minute green vegetable addition for freshness.
½ cup heavy whipping cream — optional, for a slightly creamy finish.

Note: serves about 6.

Variations

If you’d like to tweak this stew to suit different dietary needs or flavor profiles, here are some alternative options:

Cooking Time

Prep Time: ~ 15 minutes
Cooking Time: ~ 40 minutes
Total Time: ~ 55 minutes

Equipment You Need

Large pot or Dutch oven — to brown the chicken and simmer the stew in one vessel.
Sharp knife and chopping board — for prepping the vegetables and chicken cleanly.
Measuring cups and spoons — to ensure accurate timing and proportions.
Wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula — for stirring and de-glazing the pot.
Mason jar or small bowl with lid — to mix the flour slurry smoothly if you choose to thicken further.

How to Make Chicken Stew Recipe Name?

Brown the Chicken

Heat the pot with 1 tablespoon olive oil and brown the diced chicken thighs over high heat. You don’t need to cook them through—just get a nice caramelized surface for flavor. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Sauté the Vegetables and Mix in Flour

Add the remaining oil, then cook the chopped onion, carrot, and celery until the onion softens (about 3 minutes). Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour, plus the herbs, salt and pepper, and let the flour cook for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw taste.

Add the Rest and Simmer

Stir in the diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, white wine, browned chicken and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Finish with Greens and Cream

Remove the lid, stir in the green beans (or thawed peas) and the heavy cream. If you’d like a thicker stew, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour with 1 cup water or broth to make a slurry and gradually add it while stirring. Simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes.

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

From my experience, here are some things that really elevate this stew:

I always dice potatoes and sweet potatoes in roughly the same size so they cook evenly and finish at the same time.
I prefer using chicken thighs instead of breasts because they stay tender and juicy even after simmering.
When making the flour slurry, I shake it in a mason jar to avoid lumps—this saves me from fiddling later.
If you like a really creamy finish, I sometimes add an extra splash of cream at the very end.
I let the stew sit for 10 minutes after cooking before serving—it gives the flavors a moment to meld together beautifully.

How to Serve Chicken Stew Recipe Name?

Serve this stew steaming hot in deep bowls to truly capture its warmth. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a drizzle of olive oil for a bright finish. I like pairing it with crusty bread or warm buttermilk biscuits to soak up every last drop of broth. For extra color, a few thinly sliced red bell pepper rings on top add vibrancy.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a rough estimate of the nutrition per serving:

Calories: ~ 611 kcal
Protein: ~ 32 g
Carbohydrates: ~ 30 g
Fat: ~ 39 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Storage

Once cooled, store leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about 3–4 days.

Freezing

This stew freezes beautifully. I portion it into single-serving containers so I can defrost just what I need. Use flour as your thickener rather than cornstarch for better texture after freezing.

Reheating

Gently reheat in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You may want to add a splash of broth or water if it’s thickened too much after refrigeration or freezing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few of the reasons I keep coming back to this chicken stew:

It’s super comforting—full of hearty vegetables and tender chicken in a flavorful broth, perfect when you’re craving home-cooked warmth.
It’s versatile—you can easily adapt the vegetables, herbs or even make it dairy-free/low-carb without losing that comforting stew feel.
It’s relatively simple to prepare—you don’t need fancy techniques or ingredients, just good timing and layering of flavors.
It offers great flavor customization—you can add extra herbs, a splash of wine, spice it up, or go creamy depending on your mood.
It works for family-friendly meals—many people in my house enjoy it, and it stretches well for leftovers or multiple servings.

Ben Carraoli