If you’re looking for a cozy, soul-warming dish that practically makes itself, you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe. It blends tender chicken, hearty potatoes, and fresh veggies in a creamy, garlicky Parmesan broth that’s just out of this world. Seriously, once you try this, you’ll wonder how your slow cooker ever lived without it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker and forget it for hours—perfect for busy days.
- Creamy Garlic Goodness: The Parmesan and garlic combo makes every bite rich and comforting.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this stew, asking me to make it again and again.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap in veggies or adjust seasonings to fit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create that delicious garlicky, creamy base while giving some hearty texture with potatoes and chicken. I always recommend using fresh garlic and quality Parmesan to really elevate the flavor.
- Red Potatoes: I love these because they stay firm but still get tender, perfect for stew.
- Large Carrots: Thinly sliced for even cooking and a touch of sweetness.
- Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and aromatic depth.
- Onion: Finely chopped so it melts into the broth nicely.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic really makes the stew.
- Salt: Balances the flavors; feel free to adjust based on your broth choice.
- Dried Parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note without fuss.
- Italian Seasoning: Brings together classic flavors you’ll recognize and love.
- Black Pepper: Just enough for a gentle kick.
- Low Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth: The liquid base; choose low sodium to control salt.
- Corn Starch: Helps thicken the stew for that creamy texture.
- Heavy Cream: For richness and smoothness in the broth.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: They get perfectly tender and shred easily in the slow cooker.
- Frozen Peas (optional): For a pop of color and sweetness at the end.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: The star ingredient for flavor and creaminess.
Variations
I love making this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe my own by switching things up based on what I have in the fridge or the season. Feel free to get creative—it adapts well!
- Using Different Protein: Tried it with boneless thighs instead of breasts—so juicy and flavorful!
- Veggie Swap: Sometimes I add mushrooms or green beans for extra earthiness and texture.
- Dairy-Free Version: I swap out heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and skip the Parmesan for a tasty alternative.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re craving a little heat; it’s fabulous.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe
Step 1: Load Up the Veggies and Seasonings
Start by placing the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, salt, parsley, Italian seasoning, and black pepper into your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to combine all those flavors upfront. I like to chop everything as evenly as possible so that the veggies cook uniformly without any surprises.
Step 2: Mix the Broth and Cornstarch for Perfect Thickness
In a small bowl, whisk together your broth and cornstarch until smooth. This little trick prevents lumps and guarantees a silky broth. Pour this mixture along with the heavy cream right over the veggie mixture. This is where the magic happens—the broth will thicken up beautifully during cooking.
Step 3: Add the Chicken and Start Cooking
Place the chicken breasts gently into the slow cooker, pressing them slightly into the liquid but not stirring it up. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. I’ve found low heat results in tender chicken and soft potatoes without them turning mushy. Slow cookers vary, so keep an eye on the texture toward the end.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken and Finish the Stew
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Stir the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker along with frozen peas and Parmesan cheese. The residual heat melts the cheese just right, adding creaminess and flavor. Give it a final taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew piping hot with some crusty bread on the side for dipping—the ultimate comforting combo. I always feel like this is the perfect way to cozy up on a chilly night.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe
- Evenly Cut Veggies: Cutting potatoes and carrots into uniform sizes ensures they cook evenly without any underdone chunks.
- Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: Mixing cornstarch with broth prevents lumps and gives your stew that luscious, thick consistency every time.
- Shred Chicken Instead of Chopping: I discovered shredding keeps the chicken juicy and helps it soak up all those flavors better than slicing.
- Watch Cooking Times: Slow cooker temps vary, so check veggies for tenderness at 6 hours to avoid mushy potatoes.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping it with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or some extra Parmesan cheese for that lovely pop of color and extra flavor. Sometimes, I add a few cracked black pepper flakes for warmth. It’s such a simple touch but really makes the bowl look inviting.
Side Dishes
Crusty rustic bread is my go-to—it’s perfect for soaking up all the creamy broth. A fresh green salad or steamed greens like kale or spinach pairs nicely if you want to add a light contrast. Creamy mashed potatoes work too if you want double the comfort!
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like serving the stew in individual bread bowls—so fun and impressive! You can also sprinkle toasted pine nuts or crispy bacon bits on top for added texture and flavor. A drizzle of truffle oil is another fancy twist I’ve tried that guests loved!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The stew thickens as it cools, so I add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it back up. It reheats beautifully in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.
Freezing
This stew freezes wonderfully! I portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags (leave some headspace) and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently for best results. The texture holds up really well, and it tastes just as comforting.
Reheating
When reheating, I warm the stew gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. This helps keep the cream from separating and maintains that silky texture I love. Adding a bit of extra broth if it’s too thick is my go-to trick to revive the stew.
FAQs
-
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this stew?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving during slow cooking, so they work beautifully in this stew and add a richer flavor. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless for even cooking.
-
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the heavy cream for coconut milk or another plant-based cream, and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. The flavor will be a bit different, but still creamy and delicious.
-
How do I avoid mushy potatoes in slow cooker recipes?
I’ve learned that cutting potatoes into uniform ½-inch pieces and checking for doneness toward the 6-hour mark helps a lot. If your slow cooker runs hot, you might want to reduce the cooking time or cut potatoes slightly larger to prevent mushiness.
-
Can I add more vegetables to this stew?
Definitely! Feel free to add mushrooms, green beans, or bell peppers. Just keep in mind that softer veggies like peas (added at the end) cook faster, so add delicate veggies toward the last 30 minutes of cooking.
-
What’s the best way to thicken this stew if it’s too thin?
If your stew needs thickening after cooking, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a little cold water and stir it into the hot stew. Let it simmer on high for 10-15 minutes until thickened—this always works for me.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to comfort meals, especially on chilly days when I want something hearty but don’t want to fuss over dinner. The creamy garlic and Parmesan flavors combined with tender chicken and potatoes are just so satisfying. I’m excited for you to try it and see how your family reacts—spoiler: they’ll probably ask for seconds just like mine do!
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 6 hr
- Total Time: 6 hr 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with red potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions in a creamy garlic parmesan broth. Enhanced with Italian herbs and a touch of Parmesan cheese, this stew is perfect for an easy, hands-off meal that warms the soul and pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 lb red potatoes (cut into ½” pieces)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 rib celery (chopped)
- ½ medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Thickening
- 1½ cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
Protein
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb)
Add-ins
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables and Seasonings: Place the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and black pepper into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker and stir well to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium chicken or vegetable broth with the corn starch until completely smooth, then add this mixture along with the heavy cream to the slow cooker. Stir gently to incorporate.
- Add Chicken: Nestle the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the liquid mixture in the slow cooker and press them down slightly to submerge.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or until the potatoes and vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked. Note that cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker’s temperature — smaller potato pieces can help reduce cooking time.
- Shred Chicken and Add Finishing Touches: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and chop or shred them into bite-sized pieces. Stir the chicken back into the slow cooker along with the optional frozen peas and shredded Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Serve the stew immediately while hot, ideally with crusty bread for dipping to soak up the flavorful creamy broth.
Notes
- This stew is a perfect cozy comfort food, combining tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy garlic parmesan broth.
- The dish is very easy to prepare and is ideal for slow cooker meals that require little hands-on time.
- Using low sodium broth allows you to control the salt level according to your taste.
- Cutting the potatoes smaller can help reduce total cooking time if your slow cooker runs cooler.
- Adding frozen peas at the end adds a nice pop of color and sweetness but is optional.
- Serve with crusty bread for an extra comforting meal to soak up the rich broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 365 grams
- Calories: 294 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 817 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
