Creamy Chicken Stew Recipe

This easy creamy chicken stew is a hearty, comforting dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Packed with tender chicken, nutrient-rich vegetables, and a rich, creamy broth, this one-pot recipe can be made on the stovetop, in a crock pot, or in an Instant Pot. Serve it on its own or over warm biscuits for a complete, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 large red potatoes, sliced
• 1 cup baby carrots
• ½ cup celery, diced
• ¾ cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup whole milk (do not substitute low-fat)
• 1 cup sour cream (at room temperature)
• 1 oz. ranch seasoning mix

Note: For the Instant Pot version, add 1 cup chicken broth.

Instructions

Stove Top Method

1. Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
2. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add it to the pot and sauté until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. Add the olive oil to the same pot, followed by the diced onion, sliced potatoes, baby carrots, celery, and green beans. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Return the chicken to the pot.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and ranch seasoning until well combined. Pour the mixture into the pot and stir.
6. Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and carrots are tender (about 45 minutes).
7. Optional: Serve the stew over warm biscuits for an extra comforting meal.

Crock Pot Method

1. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Melt the butter in the bottom of the crock pot, then add olive oil, diced onion, potatoes, baby carrots, celery, green beans, and the seasoned chicken. Stir to coat.
3. In a bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and ranch seasoning until smooth. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Cooking on low helps prevent curdling from the dairy products.
5. Optional: Serve over warm biscuits.

Instant Pot Method

1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Melt the butter and add the olive oil. Add the diced onion, potatoes, baby carrots, celery, and green beans, cooking for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
2. Add 1 cup of chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
3. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then add it to the pot.
4. Seal the lid and set the pressure release valve to “Sealing.” Cancel the Sauté mode and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook for 8 minutes.
5. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure by flipping the valve to “Venting.”
6. Open the lid and return the pot to Sauté mode. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning, and half of the milk and sour cream. Let the stew simmer for about 5 minutes.
7. If you prefer more broth, add the remaining milk and sour cream before serving.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comforting and Hearty: Packed with tender chicken, creamy broth, and nutrient-rich vegetables, this stew is the ultimate comfort food.
• Versatile: Offers stovetop, crock pot, and Instant Pot methods to fit any schedule or cooking preference.
• Family-Friendly: A delicious dish that kids and adults alike will love.

Tips

• Cut Vegetables Uniformly: Ensure even cooking by slicing vegetables into similar sizes.
• Room Temperature Dairy: Use room-temperature sour cream to prevent curdling when added to the stew.
• Low and Slow: For the crock pot method, always cook on low to preserve the creamy texture.

Variations and Substitutions

• Vegetables: Swap in your favorites like peas, corn, or mushrooms.
• Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option; just reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• Seasoning: Experiment with spices like paprika, garlic powder, or thyme for added depth of flavor.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk or a dairy-free cream for the milk and sour cream.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I freeze creamy chicken stew? While it’s best served fresh, you can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Note that the texture of the dairy may slightly change upon reheating.

What can I use instead of cream of chicken soup? Try a homemade version by combining chicken broth, milk, flour, and seasonings.

Serving Suggestions

• Over Biscuits: Serve the stew over freshly baked biscuits for a comforting meal.
• With Bread: Pair with crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the creamy broth.
• On Its Own: Enjoy as a hearty standalone dish that warms you up on chilly days.