This comforting Homemade Chicken Stew tastes like it’s been cooking for hours, but is actually quick, easy and all made in one pan. It’s a full meal in a bowl, so no extra sides are needed.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Ingredients
CHICKEN
2tbspolive oil
800gboneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced into 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ inch) pieces
½tspsea salt flakes
¼tspfreshly cracked black pepper
60mlwater
STEW
1brown onion, diced
1tbspfreshly grated garlic
2stalks celery, diced
2carrots, sliced into rounds
125mldry white wine (optional)
2tbspunsalted butter (see note 1 to make recipe dairy-free)
35gplain (all-purpose) flour
1.25litreschicken stock
2tspdried thyme (can be substituted with Italian mixed herbs/Italian seasoning or dried oregano)
2medium potatoes, cut into 3 cm (1¼ inch) pieces (waxy are best)
1tbspWorcestershire sauce
60mlthickened (whipping/heavy) cream (optional) (see note 1 to make recipe dairy-free)
50gfreshly grated parmesan (see note 1 to make recipe dairy-free)
2tbspfinely chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus extra for garnish
Crusty buttered bread, to serve
Instructions
Brown the chicken – Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, heavy-based pan over medium–high heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, tossing regularly until browned all over. Remove the chicken and set aside (it will continue cooking in the stew).
Add the water to the pan and stir to scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Cook the veggies – To the same pan, add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.
Make the stew – Add the white wine and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Add the butter and cook for 1 minute, or until melted, then add the flour, stirring for 1 minute or until the flour has dissolved and formed a paste around the vegetables.
Cook the chicken in the stew – Return the chicken to the pan. Add the chicken stock, dried thyme, potatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15–18 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the soup has thickened.
Add the cream and cheese – Turn the heat off. Add the cream and parmesan (if using), followed by the parsley. Stir to combine.
Serve – To serve, divide the stew among four bowls, top with extra parsley and season again with salt and pepper if needed. Serve with the crusty buttered bread on the side.
Notes
Note 1 – To make this dairy-free, instead of butter, use 2 extra tablespoons of olive oil. Omit the cream and also omit the parmesan (just add extra salt, if needed, at the end).
Make Ahead
You can make the entire stew up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge in an airtight container – but don’t add the cream or parmesan. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of stock or water if needed to loosen it. Add the cream and parmesan just before serving for best results.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of stock or water.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Chicken Stew
Amount per Serving
Calories
782
% Daily Value*
Fat
38
g
58
%
Saturated Fat
15
g
94
%
Trans Fat
0.3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
16
g
Cholesterol
248
mg
83
%
Sodium
1260
mg
55
%
Potassium
1565
mg
45
%
Carbohydrates
47
g
16
%
Fiber
4
g
17
%
Sugar
10
g
11
%
Protein
55
g
110
%
Vitamin A
6013
IU
120
%
Vitamin C
32
mg
39
%
Calcium
205
mg
21
%
Iron
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.