Crockpot Chicken Stew Recipe
This comforting Crockpot Chicken Stew combines tender chicken thighs with hearty potatoes, carrots, celery, and peas simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth enhanced with chicken gravy and ranch seasoning. Perfect for a cozy meal, this slow-cooked stew is easy to prepare and delivers rich, warming flavors with minimal effort.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low plus 30 minutes additional
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (high) or 6 hours 45 minutes (low)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Meat
- 1 pound skinless & boneless chicken thighs
Vegetables
- 2 large potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 large carrots peeled and diced
- 2 stalks of celery peeled and diced
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (1 ounce) packet chicken gravy
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
- Prepare the ingredients: Add the chicken thighs, diced potatoes, carrots, celery, chopped onion, and whole garlic cloves directly into the slow cooker.
- Mix broth and seasonings: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, chicken gravy mix, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Slow cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for about 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Prepare thickening agent: While the stew cooks, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch in a separate bowl until smooth to create a thickening mixture.
- Thicken and add peas: Stir the cream and cornstarch mixture along with the frozen peas into the stew. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow the stew to thicken and the peas to warm through.
- Finish and serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if desired, then serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a lactose-free cream alternative.
- You can add other vegetables like green beans or mushrooms for variety.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, increase cornstarch slightly but add gradually to avoid lumps.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well on the stovetop or microwave.
- Using boneless chicken thighs ensures tenderness and quicker cooking times compared to bone-in cuts.
Keywords: crockpot chicken stew, slow cooker chicken stew, creamy chicken stew, easy chicken recipes, comfort food, slow cooked chicken, hearty chicken stew