Name: Chicken Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 yellow onion.; 3 ribs celery.; 4 cloves garlic.; 1/2 pound carrots.; 1.75 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs.; 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided.; 2 tablespoons butter.; 1 tablespoon olive oil.; 1.5 pounds baby potatoes.; 1 teaspoon dried parsley.; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.; 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary.; 1/2 teaspoon dried sage.; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked.; 2 cups chicken broth.; 2 cups vegetable broth.; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional).

A pot of chicken stew with tender chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots, and herbs, stirred with a wooden spoon. | recipesbyclare.com

Nothing warms my soul quite like a bowl of homemade chicken stew simmering on my stovetop. The aroma of tender chicken and vegetables cooking in a rich broth fills my kitchen with the most incredible smell. This recipe brings back memories of Sunday dinners at my grandmother's house and now I love sharing it with my own family.

A Bowl Full of Comfort

My family begs for this stew as soon as the weather turns cool. The tender chicken swimming in golden broth alongside perfectly cooked vegetables creates pure comfort in every spoonful. I love how simple ingredients transform into something so incredibly delicious.

What You'll Need From Your Kitchen

Chicken thighs: 2 pounds boneless skinless thighs give us the juiciest meat. Trust me they make all the difference.
Flour: A half cup helps create that velvety sauce we all love.
Fresh veggies: 1 onion, 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 4 cloves of garlic, plus 1 pound of golden potatoes. Garden fresh when possible.
Butter: 2 tablespoons of real butter creates the most gorgeous base.
Fresh herbs: 1 teaspoon each parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage, from my garden whenever possible.
Good broth: 3 cups chicken and 1 cup vegetable broth give us that golden richness.

Let's Make Some Magic

Get Your Chicken Ready: Give those chicken thighs a light coating of flour. This will help create our gorgeous sauce later.
Create That Golden Color: Melt your butter in a big pot and let those chicken pieces turn golden brown. The color equals flavor here.
Build Your Base: Toss in those colorful veggies and let them soften and release their flavors. My kitchen smells amazing at this point.
Make It Saucy: Sprinkle in flour and slowly add your broths. Keep stirring until everything looks silky smooth.
Bring It All Together: Pop the chicken back in along with those potatoes and herbs. Let everything get cozy together.
The Final Touch: Give it time to simmer until the chicken falls apart tender and that sauce turns rich and thick. Your patience will be rewarded.

A hearty chicken stew with vegetables, including carrots and potatoes, served in a dark pot. | recipesbyclare.com

My Kitchen Secrets

Take your time browning that chicken. Those golden bits stuck to the bottom of your pot are pure gold for flavor. I always reach for fresh herbs when possible and good quality broth makes such a difference. Sometimes I leave the lid off for the last few minutes if I want an extra thick stew.

Keeping Your Stew Fresh

This stew stays delicious in the fridge for about 5 days in a good container. I often make a big batch and freeze portions for busy weeknights. It reheats beautifully just warm it slowly and stir occasionally to keep that creamy texture.

Serving Ideas From My Table

I love serving this with crusty sourdough bread for soaking up every last drop of that amazing sauce. Sometimes I ladle it over fluffy rice or buttered egg noodles. A crisp green salad on the side makes it complete.

Why I Always Choose Chicken Thighs

After years of making this stew I always reach for chicken thighs. They stay incredibly juicy and tender plus they add such richness to the broth. Even my picky eaters clean their bowls when I use thighs.

A pot of chicken stew with carrots, potatoes, and herbs is shown on a gray surface, accompanied by a few whole potatoes in the background. | recipesbyclare.com

Perfect for Busy Days

The flavors in this stew get even better overnight. I often make it ahead when I know we have a busy week coming up. Having portions ready to go in the fridge makes dinner time so much easier.

Making It Your Own

Sometimes I toss in handfuls of fresh peas or green beans from my garden. Mushrooms add wonderful richness and a splash of cream at the end makes it extra special. Use this recipe as your starting point and have fun with it.

Simply Perfect One Pot Cooking

I absolutely adore recipes that only need one pot. This stew saves me from endless dishes and creates the most incredible flavors as everything cooks together. The vegetables soak up all that golden broth while the chicken becomes melt in your mouth tender.

Winter Warmth in a Bowl

Nothing beats coming home to a pot of this stew bubbling away on a cold winter evening. The steam rising from the pot fogs up my kitchen windows and fills the house with the coziest smell. My family gathers around the table before I even call them for dinner.

A bowl of hearty chicken soup filled with vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms, garnished with herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

A Lighter Take

Sometimes I lighten things up by using chicken breast and loading up on extra vegetables. Sweet potatoes add gorgeous color and nutrition while handfuls of fresh spinach wilt perfectly into the hot broth. The result is still completely satisfying.

Perfect Pairings in My Kitchen

We love this stew with a glass of crisp white wine on weekend dinners. For casual family meals I brew a pitcher of fresh iced tea or warm apple cider. The combination feels like a warm hug on a cold day.

Cooking for Friends

This stew has become my go to when friends come over. I can easily double the recipe and the pot never fails to empty. Everyone asks for seconds and the recipe always follows. It's the kind of food that brings people together.

Next Day Magic

Leftover stew transforms beautifully into new meals. I love spooning it over creamy mashed potatoes or tucking it into a pot pie with a flaky crust. Each version tastes even better than the last.

A hearty bowl of chicken soup with vegetables, including carrots and potatoes, garnished with herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Getting the Taste Just Right

Trust your tastebuds as you cook. A squeeze of lemon brightens everything up and sometimes a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes adds wonderful warmth. The beauty of cooking is making each pot your own.

The Secret's in the Sear

Taking time to brown your chicken properly creates magic. Those golden bits stuck to the bottom of the pot dissolve into the broth creating the most incredible flavor. It's worth every extra minute.

My Favorite Twists

Some nights I swap in turkey or add chickpeas for extra heartiness. During summer I use coconut milk and curry spices for a lighter twist. The basic recipe is so versatile you can reinvent it endless ways.

Better with Time

Like many treasured recipes this stew tastes even better the next day. The broth becomes richer the seasonings meld together and every bite feels more satisfying. It's comfort food that keeps on giving.

A bowl of hearty chicken soup filled with chunks of chicken, carrots, potatoes, and green olives, garnished with parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?: While chicken breast will work, thighs are preferred as they stay more tender and flavorful during the long cooking time. If using breast, reduce cooking time slightly to prevent drying.
→ How do I store leftover stew?: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The stew often tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
→ Can I freeze this stew?: Yes, this stew freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing, and thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.
→ Why coat the chicken in flour?: Coating the chicken in flour before browning helps develop a flavorful crust and thickens the stew as it cooks. Don't skip this step for best results.
→ Can I use different vegetables?: This stew is very flexible. Feel free to add or swap vegetables like peas, parsnips, or green beans based on what you have available.

Chicken Stew