Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Julesong's Note:

This is similar to Brunswick Stew, but without the butter/lima beans and corn (which you can certainly add, if you like). :)

• Total Time: 5 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 cups mushrooms, halved (I like crimini)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup frozen small whole onions (or 3/4 cup chopped onion)
• 1 cup celery, sliced, 1/2 inch slices
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon paprika (make sure to use good quality paprika for full flavor!)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground, to taste
• 14 1/4 ounces chicken broth
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water or 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth or 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups frozen green peas or 2 cups frozen edamame soybeans
• 1 cup cubed extra firm tofu (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine first 14 ingredients in an electric slow cooker.
2. Cover with lid and cook on high setting for 4 hours or until carrot is tender.
3. Combine the water and cornstarch in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended.
4. Add cornstarch mixture and frozen peas or edamame (and tofu, if using) to the slow cooker, stir well.
5. Re-cover and cook on high-heat setting an 30 additional minutes.
6. Serve with hot cooked rice.
7. Note: I don't eat much meat and prefer more vegetables, so I often add extra firm cubed tofu at the last 30 minute mark. Tasty! Also good with small new potatoes added at the beginning, which is another good way to stretch the recipe. :).

Reviews

[George]

A very big hit in my house where my children are very finicky eaters! I substituted the 1 lb of chicken thighs and used 3 pounds of chicken breast instead, since I was upping the recipe for 7 people. I would have preferred it to be a little more spicy, but my kids thought it was great as is. I also cooked it for eight (8) hours on low, instead of the 4 at high, so I could start it before I left for work. I also served the leftover portions over rice with much success.

[Aaron Bauer]

Tastes great! It had a little too much meat for us, so next time I'm going to put more vegetables in, and see what it tastes like with potatoes.

[Bev]

A delightful medley of flavors. My husband says this one is a keeper! The only adjustment I would make in the recipe though is that at the begining it should say 5 hours (30 minutes preparation time, 4 hours + 30 minutes cooking time) instead of 1 hour. I fixed it exactly as recommended. Truly a delicious recipe!