Rainbow Chicken & Veggie Stew
A vibrant, tender chicken stew packed with colorful vegetables that kids will happily eat, simmered to perfection in the slow cooker. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced carrots, diced zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 12 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup, thinly sliced carrots
- 1 cup, diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups diced potatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sear 12 oz chicken thighs for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup sliced carrots, 1 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1.5 cups diced potatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Pour 2 cups chicken broth and 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice) over the ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through, checking once to ensure liquid isn't boiling dry.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rainbow Chicken & Veggie Stew take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Rainbow Chicken & Veggie 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 thinly sliced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rainbow Chicken & Veggie 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 Rainbow Chicken & Veggie 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 Rainbow Chicken & Veggie Stew?
American slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.