This hearty chicken stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with colorful vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this one-pot meal delivers warmth and satisfaction with every spoonful, combining simple ingredients into a nourishing dish the whole family will love.
Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot 5-6 quart capacity
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
2lbsboneless skinless chicken thighs900g, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
2tablespoonsolive oil30ml, divided
1largeyellow onionabout 1.5 cups or 200g, diced
3clovesgarlicminced
3mediumcarrotsabout 2 cups or 250g, peeled and sliced
3mediumcelery stalksabout 1.5 cups or 180g, sliced
1lbYukon gold potatoes450g, cut into 1-inch cubes
4cupschicken broth950ml, low-sodium preferred
1cupfrozen peas150g
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour15g, for thickening
For the Seasonings
2teaspoonsdried thyme
1teaspoondried rosemary
2bay leaves
1teaspoonsaltadjust to taste
1/2teaspoonblack pepperfreshly ground
For Serving
2tablespoonsfresh parsleychopped
Instructions
Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
Remove chicken to a plate. Add remaining oil to pot and sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5-6 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps.
Return chicken to pot and add potatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer covered for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
Stir in frozen peas and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through. Remove bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or biscuits.
Notes
Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts, but boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted if preferred.
For a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot or add an extra tablespoon of flour.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The stew thickens as it sits; add broth when reheating if needed.
This stew freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
Feel free to add other vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or green beans based on preference and availability.
For extra richness, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.
Fresh herbs can replace dried: use 2 tablespoons fresh thyme and 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary instead.
Make it ahead: prepare through step 4, cool completely, and refrigerate. Reheat and add peas when ready to serve.
For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch instead of flour (1.5 tablespoons mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).
Don't skip browning the chicken—it adds essential flavor and color to the final dish.