Description
Hearty chicken stew from Italian kitchens delivers comfort on chilly evenings. Rich layers of herbs, vegetables, and tender chicken create a soul-warming meal perfect for gathering loved ones around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 500 g (1 lb) potatoes, diced (Yukon gold or red potatoes work best)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces (optional)
- 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Season chicken with salt and pepper, creating a golden crust. Remove and set aside.
- Aromatic Base: In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened, extracting their natural flavors.
- Flavor Development: Add tomato paste, then pour chicken broth and water. Introduce thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Nestle potatoes into the liquid, then return chicken to the pot.
- Simmering Process: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
- Thickening: Create a smooth slurry by whisking flour or cornstarch with water. Stir into the stew to achieve desired consistency.
- Final Touch: Add peas and green beans during the last few minutes of cooking. Remove bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serving: Plate the stew and serve alongside crusty bread, creating a hearty and comforting meal.
Notes
- Sear with Precision: Create a deep golden crust on chicken by ensuring the pot is hot and not overcrowded, which prevents steaming and promotes rich flavor development.
- Vegetable Layering Strategy: Cut vegetables uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Thickening Technique: Mix cornstarch or flour with cold water before adding to prevent lumps, gradually incorporating the slurry to achieve desired consistency without compromising the stew’s smooth texture.
- Herb Optimization: Use fresh herbs when possible for more vibrant flavor, but if using dried herbs, add them earlier in cooking to allow full flavor infusion and intensity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg