Picture a pot brimming with creamy chicken stew, the aroma of thyme and garlic wafting through your kitchen.
This comforting dish is surprisingly easy to make, offering warmth and indulgence with every spoonful.
As the chicken browns and the vegetables simmer, a delightful transformation unfolds, turning simple ingredients into a rich and hearty meal.
Let’s bring this cozy dish to life and savor the flavors together.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 chef’s knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup frozen peas
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Creamy Chicken Stew, you can follow this timeline which includes reading, prep, cooking, and resting time:
- Reading and Preparation (20 minutes total):
- 5 minutes: Read through the recipe and instructions thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the steps and verify you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
- 15 minutes: Begin the prep work. Dice the chicken breast, chop the onion, mince the garlic, slice the carrots, and dice the potatoes. Measure out the olive oil, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, pepper, thyme, cornstarch, water, and frozen peas.
- Cooking (45 minutes total):
- 0-5 minutes: Heat the olive oil in the large pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 5-10 minutes: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until the onion is translucent.
- 10-15 minutes: Add the sliced carrots and diced potatoes, stirring for 5 minutes.
- 15-20 minutes: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- 20-40 minutes: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 40-45 minutes: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and thyme. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth and add to the pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Final Cooking and Resting (15 minutes total):
- 45-50 minutes: Add the frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes.
- 50-60 minutes: Remove from heat and let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add diced chicken breast and cook until browned on all sides.
Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until onion is translucent.
Add sliced carrots and diced potatoes, stirring for 5 minutes.
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Return cooked chicken to the pot.
Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and thyme.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth and add to the pot.
Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up the creamy broth and adding a delightful crunch.
- Mashed Potatoes: Offers a comforting, hearty base that complements the stew’s flavors.
- Steamed Rice: A simple side that absorbs the rich sauce and adds extra substance to the meal.
- Green Salad: Provides a fresh, crisp contrast to the creamy texture of the stew.
- Buttered Noodles: Adds a buttery, savory element that pairs well with the stew’s creaminess.
Storage
To store Creamy Chicken Stew, let it cool completely.
Then transfer to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months for extended storage.
Freezing
To freeze creamy chicken stew, let it cool completely.
Then transfer to airtight containers.
Leave space for expansion.
Label with date and consume within 3 months for best quality.
Reheating
To reheat creamy chicken stew, gently warm it on the stove over low heat.
Stir occasionally.
Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish.
Stir halfway through to guarantee even heating.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken Stew is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal.
The combination of tender chicken, creamy broth, and a medley of vegetables creates a satisfying flavor profile.
Make sure to let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Feel free to experiment with additional herbs and vegetables to suit your taste preferences.
Enjoy this delightful stew with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breast?
You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast. Adjust cooking time as thighs may require longer browning for tenderness. Guarantee even dice size for consistent cooking. Check seasoning, as thighs can enhance flavor with their richer taste.
What Can I Substitute for Heavy Cream?
You can substitute heavy cream with equal parts milk and melted butter. Combine 3/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup melted butter for each cup of cream needed. Stir thoroughly, ensuring a smooth mixture, before incorporating it.
Can I Make This Stew in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can. Sauté chicken, onion, and garlic first. Transfer to slow cooker. Add carrots, potatoes, broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in peas and cream 30 minutes before serving.
How Can I Make This Stew Gluten-Free?
Replace cornstarch with a gluten-free thickener like arrowroot powder or tapioca starch. Confirm all other ingredients, especially chicken broth, are labeled gluten-free. Follow the same cooking process, adjusting the thickener quantity to achieve desired consistency.
What’s the Best Way to Add Spice to the Stew?
Add spice by incorporating 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or 1 finely chopped jalapeño to the stew. Stir it in during step 9 with the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and thyme to infuse the heat evenly.
Creamy Chicken Stew
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 carrots sliced
- 3 potatoes diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced chicken breast and cook until browned on all sides.
- Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until onion is translucent.
- Add sliced carrots and diced potatoes, stirring for 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Return cooked chicken to the pot.
- Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth and add to the pot.
- Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
