This Creamy Homemade Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort food that is perfect for any day of the week. Made with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy broth, this stew is packed with flavor and will warm you up from the inside out. It is easy to prepare and is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it with crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the carrots, celery, and peas to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked chicken back to the pot.
- Add the thyme leaves and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the stew for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve the creamy homemade chicken stew hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
Interesting Facts
Chicken stew has been a staple in American households for centuries, particularly during cooler months.
The addition of heavy cream gives the stew its creamy and rich texture, adding to its comfort food appeal.
This stew can be easily customized by adding other vegetables such as potatoes or mushrooms.
Leftovers of this creamy homemade chicken stew taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
The recipe can be doubled or halved depending on the number of servings desired.