Chicken Stew in the Slow Cooker
Nothing beats a hearty bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Stew on a chilly evening. With tender chicken thighs, carrots, and potatoes simmered together, this dish turns into a creamy and comforting dinner the whole family will love.
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 7 hours | Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
This stew is creamy without dairy, gluten free, and adaptable for Paleo or Whole30. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Saturday evenings when you want a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers both comfort and flavor.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A hearty slow cooker chicken stew with potatoes and carrots that finishes creamy without dairy. Gluten free and easily adapted for Paleo or Whole30.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch pieces, season with salt and pepper, brown in olive oil over medium heat about 5 minutes, then transfer to slow cooker.
2. Add carrots, onion, garlic, potatoes, coconut aminos, salt, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
3. Whisk milk and cornstarch until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for 30–45 minutes until thickened.
4. Taste, adjust seasoning with black pepper, remove bay leaf, and serve warm.
Notes
Substitutions: Use chicken breast instead of thighs; any potato variety; soy sauce or tamari instead of coconut aminos; arrowroot instead of cornstarch; any milk, or half milk and half heavy cream for richer texture.
Browning: You can skip browning and add raw chicken directly to the slow cooker if short on time.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Reheat gently on the stovetop and thin with broth or milk as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 532
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1540mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 167mg
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, or arrowroot
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken over medium heat until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a slow cooker.
- Add carrots, onion, garlic, potatoes, coconut aminos, salt, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf into the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, cover with a lid, and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Near the end of cooking, whisk almond milk and cornstarch together in a bowl. Pour into the slow cooker and stir well. Cover again and cook on HIGH for 30–45 minutes until thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper. Serve warm.
Pro Tips and Tricks
- Skip Browning: If you’re short on time, skip browning the chicken and add it raw to the slow cooker.
- Make Ahead and Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding more broth if needed.
- Ingredient Swaps: Use chicken breast instead of thighs, any potato variety, or swap coconut aminos for soy sauce or tamari.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bowl | 532 | 32g | 34g | 30g | 4g | 4g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary depending on the exact ingredients and preparation used.
FAQs
Can I make this with chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breast works just as well, though thighs give more flavor.
Can I skip the milk?
Yes, but the stew will be less creamy. You can use broth only or try a mix of broth and heavy cream for extra richness.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes, it can be adapted for pressure cooking. Cooking time will be shorter.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is everything you want in a hearty meal—comforting, filling, and perfect for cold weather. With easy prep and simple ingredients, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
