Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A sun-drenched French stew capturing the essence of Provence, simmered slowly to meld fresh tomatoes with aromatic herbs and tender chicken. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, fennel bulb for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear chicken skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot, then add fennel and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened but not browned, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the pot, nestling it into the tomato mixture. Add thyme and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Discard chicken skin, then stir in chopped parsley. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Stew?

Mediterranean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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