Get ready to lift your spirits with a bowl of Hearty Chicken Stew! This recipe is like a warm hug in a bowl, packed with tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a broth so rich you’ll savor every drop. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a comforting weekend meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The stew is rich with herbs and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, making each bite unforgettable.
- Nutrient-packed: Loaded with vegetables like carrots and green beans, it’s as healthy as it is satisfying.
- Family-friendly: This dish is an instant hit at the dinner table, loved by kids and adults alike.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable for various dietary needs or ingredient preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Hearty Chicken Stew is built on simple ingredients that pack a punch. Each component, from the succulent chicken thighs to the fresh vegetables, plays a vital role in crafting a symphony of flavors and heartiness in every bowl.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and is the perfect base for browning chicken.
- Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless, these are juicy and flavorful, perfect for slow cooking.
- Garlic and onions: Essential aromatics that provide depth and sweetness to the base.
- Carrots and celery: These classic vegetables add color, texture, and a touch of sweetness.
- Beef stock: Lower sodium preferred for controlling the saltiness while adding richness to the broth.
- Crushed tomatoes: Adds a tangy base that enriches the stew’s texture.
- Worcestershire sauce: It’s the secret ingredient for a boost of umami.
- Herbs: Thyme and bay leaves infuse the stew with a fragrant herbaceous flavor.
- Baby potatoes: Their creamy texture complements the stew beautifully.
- Mushrooms and green beans: These not only enhance the texture but also add earthy freshness.
Variations
This Hearty Chicken Stew is as versatile as it is delicious, allowing you to adapt it to your taste or dietary needs. Let’s explore some easy tweaks!
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the chicken and add more veggies like zucchini or bell peppers, and use vegetable broth instead.
- Spicier Version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a fiery kick.
- Herb Garden: Try adding rosemary or parsley for a different herbal touch.
How to Make Hearty Chicken Stew
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large casserole pot over high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Brown them on all sides to lock in the juices and ensure a robust flavor base for your stew.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Veggies
Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the garlic and onions, letting them cook until fragrant. Follow with celery and carrots, giving them a couple of minutes to soften and release their flavors into the mix.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and chicken, stirring well. Gradually add a portion of the beef stock while stirring continuously to ensure a smooth consistency. Introduce the rest of the broth, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Add the baby potatoes to the pot and bring the stew to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. Finally, remove the lid, add mushrooms and green beans, and let the stew simmer for an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
Pro Tips for Making Hearty Chicken Stew
- Golden Browning: Ensure the chicken gets a good sear by not overcrowding the pot, which adds a deeper flavor to the stew.
- Layering Flavors: Cooking the veggies in stages maximizes their individual contributions to the stew’s flavor.
- Thickening Perfection: Simmer the stew uncovered towards the end to achieve the ideal consistency and flavor concentration.
- Flavor Boost: A splash of red wine or stout can elevate the stew, adding complexity to the broth.
How to Serve Hearty Chicken Stew
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a twist of lemon can brighten the dish and add a fresh contrast to the hearty flavors. Feel free to add a crack of black pepper for that extra zing!
Side Dishes
This Hearty Chicken Stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread—perfect for soaking up all that savory broth. You might also consider serving it alongside a simple green salad to add a refreshing crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your stew in rustic bowls for an inviting, homely feel. If you’re entertaining, ladle it into bread bowls for a fun and unique presentation that’ll certainly impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers, let the stew cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it perfect for meal prep!
Freezing
The Hearty Chicken Stew freezes beautifully. Pour it into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some room for expansion, and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat the stew over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the stew to your desired consistency.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, although the stew is best with thighs as they remain juicier after cooking. If you opt for breast, add them towards the end to prevent them from drying out.
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What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce?
You can use soy sauce combined with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic the tangy flavor Worcestershire sauce adds to the stew.
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How do I make the stew gluten-free?
Substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. Make sure your stock and other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
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Is it possible to make this stew in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Sear the chicken and sauté the veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for about 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty Chicken Stew is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s easy to make and endlessly satisfying, perfect for the whole family. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy the love and warmth in every spoonful.
Print
Red Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Stew, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Western
Description
A hearty and flavorful chicken stew cooked in a rich tomato and vegetable sauce, perfect for comforting dinners. This casserole combines tender chicken thighs with a savory broth, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, simmered to perfection and served with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Meat & Vegetables
0.5 tbsp olive oil
750g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3cm pieces
1 onion, sliced
3 carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, sliced 1cm thick
2 celery stalks, sliced 1cm thick
350g baby potatoes, halved
200g mushrooms, halved
150g green beans, trimmed and halved
Dry & Canned Goods
4 tbsp flour
400g crushed tomatoes (canned)
3 cups (750ml) beef or chicken stock
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 dried bay leaves
Seasonings & Oils
0.5 tbsp olive oil (additional for cooking)
1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
Notes: Adjust salt and pepper to taste as needed.
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based casserole over high heat. Add the chicken thighs, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add minced garlic and sliced onion. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant and translucent.
- Cook Vegetables: Add sliced celery and carrots to the pot. Cook for about 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Deglaze and Add Flour: Pour in a splash of beef or chicken stock to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Gradually pour in the rest of the stock while stirring to avoid lumps. Stir in crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and additional salt and pepper. Return the browned chicken to the pot.
- Simmer: Add halved potatoes. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add Final Vegetables: Remove the lid, add mushrooms and green beans. Continue simmering uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce and cook vegetables.
- Serve: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with crusty bread and a sprinkle of parsley if desired.
Notes
- Permitted variations: Chicken breast can be used but add in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Feel free to substitute beef stock with chicken stock for a lighter flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, simmer uncovered for additional time for the sauce to reduce.
- For added depth of flavor, sauté bacon beforehand and incorporate at the start.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 400g)
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1231 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg
