Midwest Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A hearty, one-pot stew simmered to perfection with tender chicken and seasonal vegetables, ideal for cold Minnesota evenings. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 415 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, carrots, potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 medium, peeled and diced carrots
• 2 medium, diced potatoes
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Season and sear chicken: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
2. Step 2: Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 diced medium carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Transfer to slow cooker: Place the seared chicken in the slow cooker. Add the sautéed vegetables, 2 diced medium potatoes, 4 cups chicken broth, and 1 tsp dried thyme.
4. Step 4: Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until chicken is tender.
5. Step 5: Serve: Remove the chicken, shred the meat, and return to the pot. Discard the skin and bones. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.