Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken
A hearty stew combining tender shredded chicken, sweet corn, tomatoes, and lima beans simmered with smoky spices for a comforting meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken broth, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup canned lima beans, drained
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs to the pot and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels, and 1 cup drained lima beans. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Add 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken thighs, shred them with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the stew. Stir well and cook for an additional 10 minutes until flavors meld and stew thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the stew just before serving for brightness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken?
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 broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken?
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 Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Savory Southern-Style Brunswick Stew with Corn and Chicken?
American soups 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.
