Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
Cuisine: Comfort / Home-style

🧾 Ingredients

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 2 potatoes, diced (or sweet potatoes)

• 1 cup green beans or peas

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

• Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown chicken:
   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides (3–4 minutes). Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté aromatics:
   In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.

3. Build the stew:
   Add potatoes, green beans, diced tomatoes, broth, thyme, paprika, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir well.

4. Simmer:
   Return chicken to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30–35 minutes until chicken is tender.

5. Thicken (optional):
   Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Finish & serve:
   Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.

🌟 Tips for Best Results

• Chicken thighs stay juicier, but breasts are leaner.

• Cut veggies evenly for consistent cooking.

• Low-sodium broth gives better flavor control.

• Slow cooker option: Cook on LOW 6–7 hours.

• Extra flavor: Add a splash of lemon juice at the end.

❓ Q & A

Q1: Can I freeze chicken stew?
A: Yes! Cool completely and freeze up to 3 months.

Q2: Can I make it low-carb?
A: Swap potatoes for cauliflower or turnips.

Q3: Is this Weight Watchers friendly?
A: Yes—use chicken breast and minimal oil for lower points.

Q4: Can I add more veggies?
A: Absolutely—zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or cabbage work great.

🔁 Variations

• Creamy version: Stir in ¼ cup Greek yogurt at the end.

• Spicy stew: Add chili flakes or cayenne.

• Herb-loaded: Add rosemary or oregano.