One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil Stew
A hearty and warming stew with tender chicken pieces simmered with lentils and aromatic spices in one pot. This middle eastern-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, brown lentils, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces to the pot, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until the spices become aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 2 medium diced carrots and 1 cup brown lentils, then pour in 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 35 minutes until lentils are tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew, and serve hot with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil 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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil 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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Lentil Stew?
Middle Eastern 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.
