Savvy Savings Stew
A hearty one-pot stew featuring tender chicken, aromatic sofrito, and root vegetables slow-simmered to perfection for a comforting meal that's both economical and delicious. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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
- 1.5 lbs, bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, diced green bell pepper
- 1, diced carrot
- 1, diced potato
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion, minced garlic, and green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté over medium heat for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add diced carrot and potato, stirring to coat in oil. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 4: Return chicken to pot, add chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), dried oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, season with additional salt and pepper, and serve hot over 2 cups of cooked rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savvy Savings Stew take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 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 Savvy Savings 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savvy Savings 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 Savvy Savings 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 Savvy Savings Stew?
Puerto Rican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many one pot recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
Love how the Puerto Rican come through in every bite.
