Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew: A Bowl of Warm Comfort for Any Day

When the weather turns chilly or you’re craving something wholesome and soul-satisfying, few dishes compare to a Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew. This rustic classic is brimming with tender chicken, nutritious vegetables, and aromatic herbs that come together to create a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a one-pot wonder that nourishes the body and comforts the heart — perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.

Below, we’ll dive into the detailed, step-by-step method for making this delicious stew from scratch.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Stew Base

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 ½ pounds (about 700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 6 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for richness)

Seasoning and Herbs

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and depth)

For Thickening (Optional)

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water (to make a slurry)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• A squeeze of lemon juice (for brightness)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, chop and measure everything. Cut the chicken into uniform chunks for even cooking. Dice your vegetables and keep them ready — having your ingredients prepped makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (avoid overcrowding) and sear them until they’re lightly browned on all sides — about 5–7 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked; it will finish cooking later in the stew.

✨ Tip: Browning the chicken adds a deep, savory flavor base to your stew.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

1. In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed.
2. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions turn translucent.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

This forms the aromatic foundation that gives your stew its irresistible flavor.

Step 4: Build the Broth

1. Add the tomato paste (if using) and stir to coat the vegetables — this deepens the color and adds subtle sweetness.
2. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits (those are flavor gold!).
3. Return the seared chicken to the pot.
4. Add potatoes, herbs, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
5. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

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