This isn’t just any chicken stew recipe; it’s a culinary journey to the heart of home-style cooking. As featured on The Cozy Kitchen Blog, this recipe is designed to bring you comfort and deliciousness on a chilly evening. Get ready to experience a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups chopped potatoes
• 1 cup chopped turnips (optional, but adds a lovely sweetness)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Browning the Chicken

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken pieces in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. This will help to develop a rich flavor and lovely golden-brown color. Set aside the browned chicken.

Step 2: Sautéing the Vegetables

In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

Step 3: Combining Ingredients

Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged. Add the potatoes and turnips (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. You can easily check the chicken’s doneness by piercing it with a fork; it should easily pull apart.

Step 4: Adding Finishing Touches

Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes, until heated through. Stir in the fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Serving Suggestions

Serve the chicken stew hot, garnished with extra parsley or a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, if desired. This stew pairs perfectly with crusty bread for dipping into the delicious broth. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal!

Tips and Variations:

• For a richer flavor: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces.
• Add more vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, green beans, or parsnips.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or milk at the end for a richer, creamier stew.
• Slow cooker option: This recipe can easily be adapted for a slow cooker. Brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Make it ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day! Make it ahead of time and reheat before serving.
• Freezing instructions: Allow the stew to cool completely before storing in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Troubleshooting:

• Stew too watery? Simmer uncovered for a longer period to reduce the liquid. You can also thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water) stirred into the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Stew too thick? Add a little more chicken broth to thin it out.
• Chicken not cooked through? Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. Adjust the cooking time as needed depending on the size and type of chicken used.

Nutritional Information (Approximate):

Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients used.

• Servings: 6
• Calories per serving: Approximately 350-400
• Protein: High
• Fat: Moderate
• Carbohydrates: Moderate

We hope you enjoy this delicious and comforting chicken stew recipe from The Cozy Kitchen Blog! Let us know in the comments how it turned out!