Ah yes 😏 — slow cooker chicken stew! Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy or savory broth that basically cooks itself. Here’s a foolproof recipe:
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Cowboy beans 🤠🔥
Smoky, sweet, a little spicy—basically the campfire MVP of side dishes.
Here’s the classic idea, plus an easy stovetop version you can riff on.
What they are
Hearty baked-style beans loaded with:
- Bacon (or sausage)
- Onion + garlic
- A mix of beans (pinto, kidney, baked beans)
- BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard
- Chili powder or a little heat
They’re big at cookouts, potlucks, and anything involving ribs.
Easy cowboy beans (stovetop)
Ingredients
- 4–6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can baked beans
- 1 can pinto or kidney beans, drained
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp chili powder (or more 👀)
- Black pepper to taste
How
- Cook bacon until crispy. Leave a little fat in the pan.
- Sauté onion in the bacon fat until soft, add garlic for 30 sec.
- Dump everything else in.
- Simmer uncovered 20–30 minutes until thick and saucy.
Make ’em your own
- 🌶 Add jalapeños or chipotle
- 🍖 Swap bacon for smoked sausage or brisket
- 🍯 Go sweeter with maple syrup
- 🍺 Splash of beer for depth
Want a slow-cooker, vegetarian, or next-level BBQ competition version?
- 1½–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for browning)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1–2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk (optional, for a creamy stew)
Instructions
- Optional: brown the chicken
- Heat oil in a skillet and lightly brown chicken pieces for extra flavor.
- Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables & aromatics
- Add onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, celery, and optional peas.
- Add liquids & seasonings
- Pour in chicken broth and add thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Cook
- Low: 6–7 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
- Chicken should be tender and vegetables cooked through.
- Optional: thicken & make creamy
- Mix flour or cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry. Stir into stew and cook 10–15 minutes on high until thickened.
- Stir in heavy cream or milk for a richer, creamy version.
- Serve
- Hot, with crusty bread or over rice for a hearty meal.
💡 Tips for Perfect Chicken Stew
- Thighs stay more tender than breasts if cooking long.
- Add green peas or beans in the last 30 minutes for color and freshness.
- Leftovers taste even better — flavors deepen overnight.
I can also give a “creamy garlic parmesan slow cooker chicken stew” version that’s rich, indulgent, and perfect for a cozy dinner 😏.
Do you want me to give that version?
