Description
Hearty chicken stew with robust Mediterranean flavors simmers gently in slow cookers. Home cooks discover a comforting meal packed with herbs, tender chicken, and seasonal vegetables that will satisfy hunger and warm souls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (1 lb or 454 g)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to season
- 1 bay leaf
- Black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Preparation: Trim chicken thighs into uniform cubes, seasoning generously with kosher salt and black pepper for robust flavor development.
- Searing: Utilize a heavy-bottomed skillet with extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat, caramelizing chicken pieces to achieve a golden-brown exterior that intensifies taste profile and locks in natural juices.
- Seasoning Layer: Dust seared chicken with all-purpose flour, dried thyme, crushed rosemary, and salt inside slow cooker, ensuring an even, aromatic herb coating that will thicken and enhance the stew’s depth.
- Vegetable Integration: Combine minced garlic, sweet onion, carrots, and potato cubes within the slow cooker, creating a harmonious blend of textures and complementary flavors.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour low-sodium chicken broth over the mixture, introducing a bay leaf for subtle herbal undertones. Cover and allow contents to simmer on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and vegetables reach optimal softness.
- Final Touches: Incorporate whole milk and frozen green peas during the last cooking phase, cooking on high for 10-15 minutes to integrate final ingredients and achieve desired stew consistency.
- Finishing and Serving: Perform a final seasoning adjustment, balancing flavors with additional salt and cracked pepper. Ladle into warm bowls, garnishing with fresh herb sprigs for an elegant presentation that elevates the rustic comfort of this hearty chicken stew.
Notes
- Precision Cubing: Cut chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking and even seasoning distribution.
- Searing Secrets: Brown chicken pieces thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor profiles before slow cooking, which enhances overall taste complexity.
- Flour Power: Lightly coating meat with flour helps thicken the stew and creates a silky, luxurious texture without additional complicated steps.
- Temperature Flexibility: Adjust cooking time between low (7-8 hours) and high (3-4 hours) settings based on your schedule, ensuring tender chicken and perfectly softened vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg