Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Bacon

    Published: Sep 28, 2022 · Modified: Oct 28, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share270
    Pin282
    Post
    Email
    Share43
    595Shares
    552Shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe with bacon is incredibly delicious, comforting and affordable. Chicken thighs, bacon, potatoes, vegetables and a savory gravy come together in this simple one-pot meal. Make chicken bacon stew it in the crockpot and come home to a delicious feast!

    Closeup photo of Chicken Stew with Bacon served inside a wooden bowl. The stew is topped with freshly chopped herbs.

    Homemade chicken stew is the perfect rich and hearty comfort food for a cool day. A recipe like this chicken stew is a meal unto itself full of protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs.

    Just add some flaky cream cheese biscuits or corn muffin to sop up all of the delicious, fragrant gravy.

    As the days get shorter, I think about soups and stews and one that stands out in my mind is this wonderful homemade chicken stew recipe. I prefer using thigh meat for this recipe, since they are the most tender and flavorful part of the chicken. However, if you are not a fan of dark meat and want to use chicken breasts, you definitely won't be disappointed with the results.

    I almost forgot to talk about the bacon in this dish. If you love bacon as I do, you'll definitely want to include it. However, the chicken stew is wonderful with or without it. As usual the decision is yours.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • This chicken stew recipe is made with simple ingredients.
    • It's a budget-friendly recipe!
    • Chicken Bacon Stew is comforting on a cool day.
    • Can be made in the slow cooker or stovetop.
    • Everyone will will love it!
    • An easy slow cooker recipe.

    Ingredients in Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

    Overhead photo of all the ingredients needed to make Chicken Stew with Bacon on the table.

    Although the list of ingredients is a bit long, most are kitchen staples that you'll use for other recipes. A printable recipe card with the full recipe is available at the bottom of the page.

    • Meat: chicken thighs, bacon
    • Vegetables: onion, mushrooms, celery, carrots, potatoes
    • Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, parsley
    • Gravy: chicken broth, dry white wine, soy sauce, flour, unsalted butter

    How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Stew

    Here are the instructions for making this easy chicken stew in the slow cooker. For the complete instructions, check the recipe card further down on the page.

    Step One: Season the Chicken

    Closeup photo of the chicken cubed and seasoned.

    Arrange cut chicken thighs in a bowl and season liberally with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.

    Step Two: Cook Bacon and Sear the Chicken

    Crispy bacon cooking inside a slow cooker.

    In a skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until bacon is beginning to crisp. Be careful to not overcook.

    Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate or platter lined with a paper towel. Leave 2 tablespoons of grease in the skillet.

    Place chicken pieces in the bacon grease and give it a nice sear, about 2-3 minutes per side.

    Transfer bacon and seared chicken to the slow cooker.

    Step Three: Vegetables and Seasonings

    Mushrooms, potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper inside a slow cooker.

    Add mushrooms, potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper to slow cooker.

    Pouring the broth onto the vegetable sauté inside the slow cooker.

    Add wine, broth, and soy sauce. Stir to combine. Place lid on slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

    Step Four: Thickening the Sauce and Making Gravy

    Closeup photo of the prepared stew inside a slow cooker with a wooden bowl.
    Closeup photo of a wooden spoon full of chicken stew.

    To make a slurry, remove 1 cup of liquid from the slow cooker, and place it in a bowl. Add flour and stir until all of the lumps are gone. Add back to the slow cooker and stir well to combine. Continue cooking without the lid for 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

    Closeup photo of a wooden bowl full of Chicken Stew with Bacon. The stew is topped with fresh chopped herbs.

    Chicken Stew Stovetop Method

    Arrange chicken thighs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium low heat until bacon is cooked. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel. Leave grease in pot.

    Add mushrooms, onion, celery, garlic and thyme to pot and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Increase heat to high and add 1 cup broth and soy sauce. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of pot.
    Bring ingredients to a boil.

    Stir occasionally while cooking until liquid evaporates and vegetables begin to sizzle which will take approximately 15 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted.

    Sprinkle flour all over vegetables and stir until coated. Slowly whisk in remaining broth and wine until consistency is smooth.

    Add bacon, potatoes, and carrots. Stir until blended.

    Cook, uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally throughout cooking. Turn stove up to high. Using a wooden spoon, scrape down sides while stirring.

    Add chicken thighs, and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally for about 45 minutes longer.

    Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

    Closeup photo of a fork holding a bite of Chicken Stew with Bacon. A bowl full of Chicken Stew with Bacon is in the background.

    Substitutions

    Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips to change this chicken and bacon stew recipe.

    • If you don't want to use boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, substitute with chicken breasts.
    • Worcestershire sauce may be used in place of soy sauce.
    • Potatoes: Any small potatoes can be used in place of the red potatoes.
    • Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth if you like.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this slow cooker chicken stew recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Seasoning: If you want to change up the seasonings, consider using parsley, rosemary or sage.
    • Add additional vegetables such as frozen peas, corn or green beans.

    If you love recipes like this, you'll also enjoy ramen chicken noodle soup, creamy chicken tortellini soup, or Pork Stew in the Slow Cooker.

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker or Large Heavy Bottomed Pot
    • Large Skillet
    • Small Bowl
    • Wooden Spoon

    Storage

    Refrigerator: Store chicken bacon stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

    Freezer: Store chicken stew in a heavy zippered bag or airtight container, leaving ¼ inch at the top to allow for expansion in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Reheat: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Please note that soups and stews thickened with flour or cornstarch may separate some after freezing. Also, cooked potatoes can become soft and grainy in the freezer.

    Tips

    • Use chicken thighs for best results. Chicken thighs will add the most flavor to this stew and come out tender and juicy.
    • Cook it low and slow. For the most tender and flavorful chicken stew, let it cook on low for 7-8 hours.
    • Use a good quality broth if you can, preferably something that would taste great on its own.
    • Add a little heavy cream at the end to give the sauce a creamy consistency.
    Closeup photo of a fork digging into a bowl full of Chicken Stew with Bacon. The stew is topped with freshly chopped herbs.

    FAQ

    Do you put raw chicken in stew?

    The chicken does not need to be cooked through. It will cook in the stew gravy.

    How do I make my chicken stew thicker?

    Combine cornstarch or flour with a little broth or water and stir it into the stew until well combined and sauce begins to thicken, about 15 minutes.

    What is the difference between chicken stew and chicken soup?

    The main difference is the amount of liquid used in each. Stews generally contain less liquid than soup and have a thickened gravy instead of broth.

    Other Slow Cooker Stew Recipes to Try

    If you're particularly looking for slow cooker stew recipes, take a look at Simple Slow Cooker Steak Stew, Slow Cooker Beef, Grandma's Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Slow Cooker Cowboy Beef Stew, Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Casserole, Pork Stew in the Slow Cooker.

    Have a look at the video we made I think you will be glad you did!

    The Best Slow Cooker Chicken Stew Video

    YouTube video

    Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Bacon

    Karin and Ken
    This hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Stew recipe with bacon is incredibly delicious, comforting and affordable. Chicken thighs, bacon, potatoes, vegetables and a savory gravy come together in this simple one-pot meal. Make chicken bacon stew it in the crockpot and come home to a delicious meal!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 333 kcal

    Equipment

    • large slow cooker
    • wooden spoon
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • large skillet
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless boneless, skinless, cut into bite sized pieces
    • pepper
    • salt
    • 10 slices bacon, chopped
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 cups mushrooms sliced
    • 2 celery ribs thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon thyme
    • 4 cups chicken broth
    • ¾ cup dry white wine
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 pound small red potatoes, cut in half
    • 4 carrots peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
    • 1 tablespoon parsley, dried
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Arrange chicken thighs in a bowl and season liberally with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.
    • In a skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until bacon is beginning to crisp. Be careful to not overcook.
    • Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate or platter lined with a paper towel. Leave 2 tablespoons of grease in the skillet.
    • Place chicken pieces in the bacon grease and give it a nice sear, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer bacon and seared chicken to the slow cooker.
    • Add mushrooms, potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and parsley to slow cooker.
    • Add wine, broth, soy sauce, and butter pieces. Stir to combine. Place lid on slow cooker.
    • Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
    • Make a slurry by removing 1 cup of liquid from the slow cooker, and placing it in a bowl. Add flour and stir until all of the lumps are gone. Add back to the slow cooker and stir well to combine. Continue cooking without the lid for 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

    Notes

    • Use chicken thighs for best results. Chicken thighs will add the most flavor to this stew and come out tender and juicy.
    • Cook it low and slow. For the most tender and flavorful chicken stew, let it cook on low for 7-8 hours.
    • Use a good quality broth if you can, preferably something that would taste great on its own.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 35gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 965mgPotassium: 1067mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 6907IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword bacon, chicken, chicken stew, chicken thighs, crock pot, easy slow cooker, slow cooker, slow cooker chicken stew, stew
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Closeup photo of a wooden bowl full of Chicken Stew with Bacon.
     
    Share270
    Pin282
    Post
    Email
    Share43
    595Shares
    552Shares

    More Main Courses

    • Chicken club sandwich cut in half.
      Chicken Club Sandwich
    • Two McDonald's biscuits and gravy over the top on a plate.
      McDonald's Biscuits and Gravy
    • A small bite of Mexican chicken and rice on a fork.
      Mexican Chicken and Rice
    • A piece of air fryer tilapia with seasonings on top.
      Air Fryer Tilapia

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Recipes!

    • A fork holding pieces steak in crockpot next to mashed potatoes on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs.
      Ribeye Steak in Crockpot
    • Air Fryer Haddock
    • A slice with a fork in it.
      Easy Hobo Casserole
    • A rack of beef ribs in the oven on a piece of parchment brushed with bbq sauce.
      The Best Beef Ribs Recipe

    Discover More Dinner Recipes ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A slice of cherry cream cheese pie on a plate.
      Cherry Cream Cheese Pie (No Bake)
    • A banana pudding cup topped with whipped cream, banana slice and small cookie.
      Easy No Bake Banana Pudding Cups
    • Red and green decorated rice krispie cookies next to a carafe of milk on a piece of parchment paper.
      Easy Rice Krispie Cookies (No Bake)
    • A stack of Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars on a plate.
      Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

    More Easter Sweet Treats and Side Dishes ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved