Creamy Chicken Stew

By Rena Awada | Updated On January 1, 2024

This easy-to-make chicken stew recipe is classic comfort food that’s so creamy, flavorful, and full of veggies. The perfect weeknight dinner recipe that will leave everyone happy and satisfied.

top view of spoon in chicken stew in red pot


Prepare this easy chicken and peas stew on the stovetop like we did or use your crockpot or instant pot! A hearty and delicious meal on a cold day that’s loaded with veggies, full of flavor, and made entirely in one pot. Made with tender chicken pieces, carrots, sweet potatoes, and other veggies, in a creamy thick sauce. A tasty weeknight meal that’s ready in less than an hour and can be served as a weeknight dinner any day of the week. Serve this creamy and easy chicken stew recipe with biscuits or dinner rolls.

In this post, we will show you how to make this creamy and healthy chicken stew dish on your stove top, using your instant pot, or using your crockpot/slow cooker.

Why you will love this recipe

  • Healthy and nutritious: This creamy chicken stew recipe is made without any heavy cream and is loaded with lean chicken chunks and veggies.
  • Easy to make: Make this easy chicken stew dinner recipe in less than an hour from start to finish. From prepping to cooking and serving on the dinner table.
  • So delicious: This homemade stew is so tasty and delicious. Full of flavor and makes for a satisfying comforting meal.
top view close up view of the chicken stew with veggies

Ingredients you will need

  • Chicken breast: we used chicken breast but you may use boneless and skinless chicken thighs to make this chicken stew dish
  • Italian seasoning: if you do not have this, use a combination or oregano, thyme, and basil.
  • Olive oil: or you may use avocado oil
  • Veggies used: carrots, celery, and frozen peas
  • Gluten-free flour: or any flour of your choice
  • Onion: any onion of your choice
  • A few sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme and sage
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • Potatoes: try to use Yukon gold potatoes, or whatever you have on hand
  • Sweet potatoes: gives a nice touch, but you may skip and just add more yellow potatoes
  • Red bell pepper: yellow or orange will work
  • Chicken broth/chicken stock: or vegetable broth.
  • Cream cheese: healthier than whipping heavy cream, but you may use heavy cream if preferred.
ingredients for chicken stew
close up chicken stew

How do you make chicken stew on your stovetop

  • Prepare the veggies: Clean and chop up all the veggies.
  • Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or rimmed skillet over medium meat. Add in the chicken and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until slightly golden on all sides, then set aside.
  • To the same preheated pot add the onions, carrots, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with flour and continue to cook for 1 minute more. Add broth and stir until well combined.
  • Stir in the potatoes, sweet potatoes, red pepper, browned chicken, and herbs. Mix well to combine and allow it to get to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover the pot; simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Once the time is up and the veggies are tender, remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the peas and cheese cream.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and enjoy!
chopped veggies for chicken stew on a cutting board
cooked chicken chunks in a red pot

Making chicken stew with crockpot

  • Cook the chicken like you would on your stovetop: Heat oil in a pot or skillet over medium meat. Add in the chicken and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until slightly golden on all sides, then add the onions, carrots, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
  • Transfer the sauteed chicken and veggies into the crockpot/slow cooker. Add the flour and mix. Then add broth, potatoes, sweet potatoes, red pepper, and herbs. and stir until well combined.
  • Cook at Low for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  • 30 minutes before the completed cook time, and the veggies are tender, remove the lid and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the peas and cheese cream. Cover again to continue cooking until time completes.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and enjoy!
close up top view of chicken stew

How to cook chicken stew in an instant pot

  • Turn the Instant pot on Sautee mode. Add oil and add the chicken, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is browned.
  • Next, add the chopped onions. carrots, celery, and cook stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with flour and continue to cook for 1 minute more. Add broth and stir until well combined.
  • Stir in the potatoes, sweet potatoes, red pepper, and herbs. (do not add the peas and cream cheese yet) Mix to combine.
  • Secure the lid on the instant pot and cook on manual high for 10 minutes. Allow 10 minutes for natural release, then release the valve, and open the lid. Remove the herb sprigs.
  • Place it on sautee mode again, stir in the peas and cheese cream. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and serve.

Recipe notes and tips

  • Switch out the chicken with another protein like lean beef
  • Feel free to switch out some of the veggies with other veggies like green beans or zucchini.
  • Any potatoes will work. We used sweet potatoes to mix it up a bit with a hint of sweetness but you can certainly make this chicken stew without.
  • Try adding some greens like spinach or kale.
  • Serve this chicken stew recipe with some Cilantro Lime rice or some plain white rice.
  • Swap the cream cheese with some coconut milk or heavy cream.
  • If you don’t have chicken broth, use vegetable broth or chicken bouillon and water.
chicken stew in a pot

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze chicken stew?

You can certainly freeze chicken stew. Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow it to thaw in the fridge the night before and reheat on your stovetop. You may add a bit of water or milk if needed.

How can I make my stew flavorful?

In order to bring out the flavor of your stew, you need to add herbs. Either use dried herbs like Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, rosemary, or thyme. Feel free to use fresh herbs as well or garnish the final meal with fresh herbs.

How do you thicken stew?

To thicken your stew you can do a few things. Corn starch mixed in with a little water or milk is most commonly used to thicken soups or stews. A healthier option would be to use some flour instead. You can also thicken your stew by using your fork and mashing up a few of the potato chunks.

side shot of chicken stew in a pot

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top view of spoon in chicken stew in pot with wooden spoon in pot

Creamy Chicken Stew Recipe

A simple chicken stew recipe thats easy to make, creamy, and loadeddwith veggies.
5 from 33 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 336kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast diced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large carrots diced
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 3 tbsp gluten-free flour
  • A few sprigs of fresh rosemary thyme, and sage
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ cups potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 ½ cups sweet potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 4 oz cream cheese

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven or rimmed skillet over medium meat.
  • Add in the chicken and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until slightly golden on all sides, then set aside. 4-5 minutes.
  • To the same preheated pot add the onions, carrots, celery, and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with flour and continue to cook for 1 minute more. Add broth and stir until well combined.
  • Stir in the potatoes, sweet potatoes, red pepper, browned chicken, and herbs. Mix well to combine and allow it to get to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover the pot; simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Once the time is up and the veggies are tender, remove and discard the herb sprigs.
  • Stir in the peas and cheese cream. Mix well and stir for a minute or so.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Switch out the chicken with another protein like lean beef
  • Feel free to switch out some of the veggies with other veggies like green beans or zucchini.
  • Any potatoes will work. We used sweet potatoes to mix it up a bit with a hint of sweetness but you can certainly make this chicken stew without.
  • Try adding some greens like spinach or kale
  • Swap the cream cheese with some coconut milk or heavy cream.
  • If you don’t have chicken broth, use vegetable broth or chicken bouillon and water.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 862mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 9832IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda Canning says

    5 stars
    Best chicken stew I have ever tasted. My husband loved it too. Thank you so much for the recipe.

  2. Stasha says

    5 stars
    I just made this recipe. I added green and yellow zucchini squash. Plus instead of Italian seasons I added fresh rosemary and a blend of Herbs from Provence that has savory, fennel and lavender flowers in their blend. Plus Cacique Creama Mexicana Table Cream instead of regular sour cream. Still included the cream cheese. It is great. Will make this for future with all my extra veggies and leftover chicken. Heartier than soup. Had enough to share with my BFF. They had for dinner and loves it also.

  3. Neal Holley says

    5 stars
    Our family loved this stew.
    I’m a single dad and this was right up my alley for ‘cooking ability’ and time. Quick, simple and a awesome winter warmer.
    We added a cup of white wine and a teaspoon of paprika to bolster the flavour of the broth.
    We also used lactose free cream for my daughter and no detriment in flavour.
    Good value to feed many hungry souls.
    A weekly treat for us.
    Left overs tonite with crusty sourdough loaf. YUMMM.
    Thanks

  4. Jessilynn Hill says

    5 stars
    Wonderful! Big hit in our house! I added 4 cups of chicken broth instead of 3 and used 5oz reduced fat cream cheese and it was still delicious!!

  5. Camille says

    Reminds me of chicken pot pie without the crust! Do you think Greek yogurt would work as an alternative to the cream cheese? I’m lactose intolerant and like using Greek yogurt since it tends to be lower in lactose.

    • Rena says

      You can try Greek yogurt I am just not too sure since I didn’t try it but I assume it should be ok.
      Want to hear something crazy though? I’ve heard Philadephia cream cheese is ok to eat if you have lactose intolerance and I attest to this because my son has the same issue but he can have Philadephia cream cheese. BUT, I don’t want to ruin the meal for you hahaha so use Greek yogurt and let me know if you ever try Philadephia cream cheese

      • Lisa Szpara says

        Hi, I am going to make this for dinner to night but I wanted to chime in ( a little food for thought) giggles we are ALL lactose intolerant in my home.. some of us are worse than others. However, cream cheese is on the SAFE list and that came from our Dr. If I remember correctly it has something to do with the way it is pasteurized?? I could be explaining it wrong but I figured I would offer my input as well. Oh and thank you for this recipe!!

        • Rena Awada says

          Yes. I have 2 in my family that are lactose intolerant and cream cheese is ok honestly for them. It might be different for some. We use plain Philadelphia cream cheese

  6. Caio Santi says

    5 stars
    Made it today for my family! Incredibly delicious, really represents the “comfort food” status.

    Thank you so much for the recipe, will repeat it many times!

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