You’ve never met an easier chicken stew recipe. Overloaded with tender chicken, crushed tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and seasonings, this flavorful stew will be on the table in 30 minutes.
This easy chicken stew recipe is a shortcut version of my family’s old-fashioned chicken stew. Even though it is made in a fraction of the time it normally takes, it still has that wonderful old-fashioned flavor of the stew we all love so much. It is truly comfort food at its finest and a staple meal often on our table.
The main difference between this recipe and the original version is that I can have this one on the table in less than half an hour, making an old-fashioned stew doable even on my busiest of days keeping us out of the drive-thru. You won’t be disappointed in the flavor and you will love the ease in how it comes together.
So, what flavors can you expect in my chicken stew? Tender chicken, chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, onion, potatoes, corn, sugar, butter, and salt and pepper. Now, when I say this is easy I mean it. The instructions are as follows… dump everything into a stockpot, bring it to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. That’s all there is to it.
My easy chicken stew is rich with flavor, hearty, filling, and the perfect main dish for busy families. Ready to give it a go?
Recipe Ingredients
- Rotisserie chicken
- Chicken broth
- Crushed can
- Onion
- Hash browns
- Whole kernel corn
- Sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Easy Chicken Stew
Are you ready for these extra complicated directions?
Place all ingredients in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.
Stir often until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 20 minutes).
Yep, that’s it! Keep scrolling for recipe notes and serving suggestions.
Storage
- Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave.
- You can also freeze leftovers for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
- Please note that this recipe makes 20 bowls of chicken stew. But don’t worry, you can easily halve the ingredients or freeze leftovers. It’s a great meal prep option.
- Now, this is a shortcut version of my Southern chicken stew. But if you like, you can use whole potatoes instead of hash browns. I recommend .
- You can also use any kind of leftover chicken you’ve got on hand, like cooked chicken breast or cooked skinless chicken thigh.
- If you want to add more vegetables, here are some suggestions (I’d add a cup of whichever veggies you choose): frozen peas, green beans, sweet potato, diced carrot, , or celery.
Recipe FAQs
How do you serve easy chicken stew?
Serve this homemade chicken stew with steamed rice, pasta, saltine crackers, Southern biscuits, or cornbread. You can also add a garnish of chopped fresh parsley.
Can I make this into crock pot chicken stew?
Yes, if you’d prefer slow cooker chicken stew, just add all the ingredients to the crock pot and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours.
Can I make instant pot chicken stew?
Absolutely! If you want to use uncooked chicken pieces in the instant pot chicken stew, you can cook them using the saute function along with the onion for 4 to 5 minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes, allowing a 10-minute natural release. If it needs to be thickened, make the slurry below, remove the lid, press saute, add the mixture, then simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
How do you thicken chicken stew?
I don’t generally thicken this chicken stew, but if you want to, combine one tablespoon of flour with some broth to create a slurry that will work to thicken the stew. Arrowroot powder and cornstarch are gluten-free alternatives. Simmering the stew without the lid on also works to thicken the stew.
Can I add raw chicken to my stew?
Because of the relatively quick cooking time, I recommend only using cooked chicken. But it doesn’t take long to brown the chicken in a skillet before adding it to the pot.
Looking for more sensational stew recipes? I’ve got you:
Traditional Beef Stew Recipe (Without Tomatoes)
How to Make Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
Lentil Stew (Budget-Friendly Recipe)
Ground Beef Stew (With a Secret Ingredient)
Smoked Sausage and Beef Stew in the Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken skin removed, meat shredded, and set aside
- 2 48-ounce cartons chicken broth
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 10 ounces frozen diced onion or one large onion
- 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns
- 32 ounces frozen whole kernel corn
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3-4 teaspoons pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.1 rotisserie chicken, 2 48-ounce cartons chicken broth, 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, 10 ounces frozen diced onion or one large onion, 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, 32 ounces frozen whole kernel corn, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons salt, 3-4 teaspoons pepper
- Stir often until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 20 minutes).
Nutrition
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18 KJV Submitted by Mike Childers
I made this today for lunch! This is so good! Thank you for the recipe.
Sweet Christy, I was so burned out on cooking and life in general. My daughter said,”There is this lady on facebook and in her videos she sounds a lot like you.” So she introduced me to your videos, facebook page, pinterest and bought me all of your books as they came out. Then she took me to a book signing in Greenville, SC where I got to meet you. You changed everything…mostly my way of thinking about myself. We have become close over the yrs and I can honestly say I love your heart and your soul. You are just like one of my kids. I pray for you and your family and your work, both Southern Plate and Front Porch Fellowship. May YHWH Bless you and keep you. Shalom, Ma.
Your recipes are so good.
Thank you so much Cathy, that means the world to me!
Hi Christy! I request a recipe not so long ago on a chicken stew using rotisserie chicken. Today this recipe appear in my email. I can only imagine what God can do even with a recipe request. Have a blessed one.
Hi,
I just want to say Thnx! for the recipe. I am originally from Tuscumbia(right across the river) but have lived thousands of miles away for over 25 years. My mother passed last year and I was thinking of some of the wonderful things I enjoyed as a child and chicken stew came to mind so I did a search. My wife is not from the South and didn’t know what I meant by chicken stew. I must say your recipe is just like my mom’s and really made my day. Now, I have to try some chocolate and biscuits while I am on memory lane. Thanks again!
Hi Stephen! I am so glad to hear this recipe mirrored your mothers and you were able to have a taste from the past!!!
I also make a version of your stew in the crock pot. I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, uncooked, put in the bottom of the crock pot, with all of the other ingredients, except the butter (I use the regular potatoes as in the original) and cook 4-6 hours on high or 6-8 on low. When done, I remove the chicken, shred or chop, put it back in the pot, add the butter, and it’s done.
Great idea Katherine!! Thank you for sharing!!
I wanted to let you know that I purchased your new cookbook “Sweetness” yesterday at Barnes & Nobles in Roseville, Minnesota. I was thrilled they had it in stock.
Warmly,
Eileen
Thank you so much Eileen, I hope you enjoy it!!!