Hearty & Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew: The Ultimate Easy Family Meal

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of stew to chase away the chill on a gloomy winter day. While classic stews often feature red meat, I find myself gravitating towards lighter, yet equally satisfying, chicken-based dishes. This particular creamy slow cooker chicken stew recipe is my absolute favorite, and I’m confident it will become a staple in your household too. It’s a wonderfully hearty meal that delivers incredible flavor and warmth, perfect for the whole family.

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. While I personally keep my vegetable additions simple with just carrots and onions, feel free to personalize your stew with other wholesome vegetables like celery, peas, green beans, or even corn. This flexibility makes it easy to incorporate what you have on hand or what your family enjoys most.

Designed for convenience and health-consciousness, this recipe yields 8 generous 1-cup servings, coming in at just 3 points on Weight Watchers (WW), making it a fantastic option for those managing their intake without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Get ready to discover your new go-to comfort food that’s both delicious and incredibly easy to prepare.

Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Will Become Your New Favorite

If you’re looking for a fuss-free meal that doesn’t compromise on taste, this creamy slow cooker chicken stew is an absolute must-try. Here’s why it stands out as a winner for busy weeknights or cozy weekends:

• Unparalleled Comfort in Every Spoonful: This chicken stew recipe is the epitome of comfort food. Its rich, savory profile and creamy texture will make you feel deeply satisfied and nourished. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth that’s hard to achieve with quicker methods. Imagine coming home to the inviting aroma of a perfectly cooked, hearty stew.
• Effortless Preparation with Your Crockpot: Many stew recipes can be overly complicated, involving multiple pots and constant tending. Not this one! This is truly an easy chicken stew recipe because it leverages the magic of your slow cooker. Simply add your ingredients, set it, and forget it. Your crockpot does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax. It’s the ideal solution for those with a busy schedule and limited time for hands-on cooking.
• Intense Flavor Development: Using a slow cooker isn’t just about convenience; it’s also a secret weapon for maximizing flavor. The extended, low-temperature cooking allows all the ingredients to slowly release their essences, resulting in a more profound and harmonious taste. For an even richer, more authentic chicken flavor, consider using chicken thighs with the bone-in (if points allow) – the bones release collagen and marrow, adding incredible body and depth to the broth.
• A Wholesome and Versatile Family Meal: Packed with lean protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and satisfying potatoes, this stew is a complete meal in a bowl. Its gentle flavors are generally appealing to all ages, making it a fantastic choice for family dinners. Plus, its versatility means you can easily adjust it to suit dietary preferences or seasonal availability of vegetables.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Chicken Stew

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful slow cooker chicken stew. Each component plays a crucial role in building the stew’s comforting flavor and creamy texture.

• 1 lb Mini Potatoes (approx. 3.5 cups): While mini potatoes are convenient and cook quickly, any potato variety will work beautifully. Cutting them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking.
• 2 cups Baby Carrots: These add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, becoming tender and succulent during the slow cooking process.
• 1 Small Red Onion (chopped): Red onion offers a slightly milder, sweeter flavor than yellow onion, which mellows even further as it cooks down, contributing a fantastic aromatic base.
• 2 Garlic Cloves (diced): Essential for any savory dish, fresh garlic provides a robust depth of flavor.
• 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes, approx. 18oz total): Using boneless, skinless chicken breast keeps the stew lean and ensures tender, easy-to-eat pieces of chicken. Cutting them into uniform cubes helps them cook evenly.
• Salt & Pepper: The fundamental seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors of your ingredients. Adjust to your taste preferences.
• 1 tsp Onion Powder: This provides an extra layer of onion flavor that permeates the stew, complementing the fresh onion beautifully.
• 1 can Low-Fat Cream of Chicken Soup (284ml): This is the secret ingredient for achieving that wonderfully creamy texture and a foundational savory flavor without excessive fat.
• 1 cup Chicken Broth: Adds liquid and reinforces the chicken flavor, ensuring the stew has the perfect consistency.
• 1/3 cup Milk (I used 1%): Contributes to the stew’s creamy body and smooth texture. Feel free to use your preferred milk, keeping in mind that higher fat content will increase richness (and points).
• 1/3 cup Fat-Free Sour Cream: A brilliant addition for creaminess and a slight tang, balancing the richness of the soup and broth. It helps achieve a luxurious mouthfeel while keeping the stew light.
• 1 (28g) package Ranch Dip Seasoning: This unexpected ingredient is key to the unique and incredibly delicious flavor profile of this stew. It adds a blend of herbs and spices that elevates the entire dish.
• Bacon Crumble for Topping (optional): For those who love an extra layer of savory crunch, a sprinkle of bacon crumble at the end is a delightful garnish. (Note: this will affect point counts if you are tracking).

How to Make This Delicious Creamy Chicken Stew (Step-by-Step)

Preparing this slow cooker chicken stew is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to create a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time:

1. Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Begin by setting your slow cooker to either low or high, depending on your desired cooking time. For a faster cook, choose high for 4 hours. For a longer, more gradual cook that often develops deeper flavors, select low for 6-8 hours. I always recommend giving the inside of your crockpot a light spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, especially when preparing creamy, hearty meals like this stew.
2. Layer the Base Ingredients: First, add your mini potatoes (halved, if desired), baby carrots, chopped red onion, and diced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. These vegetables will slowly tenderize and infuse the stew with their natural sweetness and aromatics. Next, add the cut chicken breast cubes directly on top of the vegetables. Season generously with salt, pepper, and onion powder, ensuring all the chicken and vegetables are lightly coated to build flavor from the start.
3. Whisk Together the Creamy Sauce: In a separate medium-sized bowl or a large measuring cup, combine the can of low-fat cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk (1% or your preferred type), fat-free sour cream, and the ranch dip seasoning package. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. This creamy concoction is what gives the stew its signature rich flavor and velvety texture.
4. Combine and Cook: Pour the whisked creamy sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Using a spoon or spatula, gently mix everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated in the sauce. Ensure the chicken and vegetables are mostly submerged. Cover your slow cooker and let it cook for the predetermined time: 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. The stew is ready once the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded.
5. Serve and Store: Once cooked, give the stew a final stir and ladle out into bowls. This recipe makes approximately 8 one-cup servings. It’s perfect for meal prepping! Store any delicious leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This stew also freezes exceptionally well for longer storage; simply thaw and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
6. Optional Additions: Remember, this recipe is highly customizable! Feel free to incorporate extra vegetables like celery, frozen peas (add in the last 30 minutes of cooking), or bell peppers. If you opt for the bacon crumble topping, remember it’s an optional garnish and was not included in the original point counts for WW.

Creative Variations and Smart Substitutions for Your Stew

While this slow cooker chicken stew recipe is fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations and substitutions to perfectly suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have available in your pantry. Making minor tweaks can lead to exciting new flavor experiences!

• Chicken Choices for Ultimate Tenderness: Achieving tender, succulent chicken is paramount in any stew, which is precisely why the slow cooker is our preferred method. For an even more flavorful and moist result, consider substituting boneless, skinless chicken breasts with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or even wings. The bones release collagen and marrow into the broth, significantly enhancing the overall chicken flavor and contributing to a richer mouthfeel. The meat will simply fall off the bone when cooked thoroughly. If you opt for bone-in cuts, remember to carefully remove the bones before serving and be mindful that this change will likely increase the Weight Watchers point count due to higher fat content. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also an excellent alternative if you want a slightly richer flavor than breast meat without the hassle of bones.
• Potato Power: Adding Color and Creaminess:
  • Red Potatoes: Swapping out mini potatoes for red potatoes is a great way to introduce a different texture and a beautiful pop of color to your stew. Red potatoes are known for holding their shape well, even after long periods of cooking, offering a pleasant bite.
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: If your ultimate goal is an incredibly creamy chicken stew, then Yukon Golds are your best friend. These high-starch potatoes break down beautifully during slow cooking, thickening the stew naturally and contributing a luxurious, velvety texture that is simply divine. Avoid red potatoes if maximum creaminess is your priority, as their lower starch content means they won’t yield the same result.
• Herbaceous Enhancements: Elevate the aromatic profile of your stew by adding fresh sprigs of herbs. Thyme and rosemary, along with a bay leaf, are fantastic choices, as they have a natural affinity with chicken. These herbs provide a sophisticated, earthy flavor that develops beautifully over time. For best results, add them during the last 1-2 hours of cooking to ensure their fresh flavors are vibrant but not overpowering. Remember to remove the bay leaf before serving.
• Achieving a Thicker Texture: If you find your stew isn’t as thick as you prefer after cooking, creating a roux is a classic and effective option. To do this, melt an equal part of butter (or olive oil for a lighter option) and flour in a separate soup pot over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for a few minutes until it forms a smooth paste. Then, gradually whisk in a ladleful of the warm stew liquid into the roux until smooth, creating a slurry. Once lump-free, add this thickened mixture back into the slow cooker, stirring well. Bring the slow cooker back up to temperature (or transfer to the stovetop to simmer briefly) to allow the roux to activate and thicken the stew. Be aware that adding a roux will increase the caloric and point count of your stew. A simpler, lower-point alternative is to make a cornstarch slurry (1-2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water) and stir it into the hot stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Roasted Vegetable Medley: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, I love to roast complementary vegetables separately and stir them in at the very end. Roasted corn, green onions, and mushrooms work exceptionally well with chicken stew. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds a slight char, which provides a lovely contrast to the creamy stew.

Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Mastering this creamy slow cooker chicken stew is easy, but a few expert tips can elevate your cooking experience and ensure perfect results every time. From storage to seasoning, these insights will help you make the most of this delicious recipe.

• Effortless Storage and Freezing: Chances are, you’ll have delicious leftovers from this generous recipe, and storing them is an absolute breeze. Once the stew has cooled slightly, transfer it to an airtight container and let it cool completely in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the flavors to deepen even further. For longer storage, portion the cooled stew into individual freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label them with the date, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in individual portions until heated through. Freezing makes this a fantastic meal prep option for quick, comforting dinners.
• The Art of Seasoning with Kosher Salt: I’m frequently asked about my preferred salt for cooking, and my answer is always kosher salt. The reason is simple: its larger, coarser grain size makes it much easier to control when seasoning food by hand. You can feel the salt better as you sprinkle it, reducing the likelihood of over-salting. Unlike fine table salt, kosher salt doesn’t contain anti-caking agents, which can sometimes impart an off-flavor. Always season to taste, adding a little at a time and tasting as you go.
• Boosted Creaminess with Heavy Cream: If you desire an even thicker, richer, and more luxurious eating experience, consider substituting the 1% milk with heavy cream. Heavy cream will significantly increase the creaminess and overall decadent feel of the stew, making it even more indulgent. Keep in mind that this substitution will increase the calorie and fat content, as well as the Weight Watchers points, so adjust accordingly if you are tracking your intake. For a dairy-free alternative that still adds richness, you could try a full-fat canned coconut milk (though this will alter the flavor profile).
• Perfect Serving Suggestions: This hearty stew is a complete meal on its own, but it truly shines when paired with a few simple accompaniments. Serve it with a side of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping into the creamy broth. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a burst of color and freshness. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad on the side provides a refreshing contrast to the rich stew.
• Mind Your Cooking Time: While slow cookers are forgiving, be mindful not to overcook the chicken, especially if using boneless, skinless breasts, as they can become dry. The cooking times provided (4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low) are general guidelines. Always check for doneness; the chicken should be tender and shred easily, and the potatoes and carrots should be soft when pierced with a fork.

4.16 from 13 votes

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Recipe

By: Drizzle

Servings: 8

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs

Total: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

3P, 3SP blue, 4SP green, 1SP purple per 1 cup serving

Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 lb mini potatoes, about 3.5 cups *you can use any potato they don’t need to be mini
• ▢ 2 cups baby carrots
• ▢ 1 small red onion, chopped
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, diced
• ▢ 3 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes, approx 18oz total
• ▢ Salt & pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp onion powder
• ▢ 1 can low fat cream of chicken soup, 284ml *picture shown
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 1/3 cup milk, I used 1%
• ▢ 1/3 cup fat-free sour cream
• ▢ 1- 28 g package ranch dip seasoning *picture shown
• ▢ Bacon crumble for topping *optional

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• Turn slow cooker on to low or high depending on how long you want to cook the stew for, high- 4 hours, low- 6-8 hours.
• I always like to give my crockpot a spray with some cooking spray when making this type of meal in it.. add in mini potatoes, I cut mine in halves, carrots, onion and garlic. Then add in the cut chicken breast. Add salt & pepper and onion powder.
• In a bowl or large measuring cup mix together the soup, broth, milk, sour cream and ranch seasoning, stir well and add to the slow cooker.
• Mix everything up well and then let cook.. 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low, once the potatoes & carrots are cooked right through.
• Makes 8- 1 cup servings, store leftovers in the fridge, it will freeze well.
• *Note- feel free to add in extra veggies like celery or peas etc.. bacon topping is optional I did not include it as an ingredient when giving the point counts

Notes

Points- 3

Personal Points- 1-4 depending on your 0PP foods 

SP Blue- 3 using WW recipe builder

SP Green- 4 using WW recipe builder

SP Purple- 1 using WW recipe builder

Points Plus- 4 using PP calculator

Nutritional info per serving… Calories 160…Fat 1.9g…Sat fat 0.5g…Carbs 21.5g….Fiber 2.6g…Sugar 3.7g…Protein 13.7g using My Fitness Pal *Note these numbers include all ingredients even the zero point foods

Additional Info

Course: Main meals

Tried this recipe?Mention @drizzlemeskinny or tag #drizzlemeskinny!