Bacon and Cabbage Chicken Stew Delight
Introducing a heartwarming stew that captures the essence of Southern comfort food! This Bacon and Cabbage Chicken Stew Delight is a harmonious blend of tender chicken, rich bacon flavor, and wholesome vegetables. The rendered bacon fat infuses this dish with deep, savory notes, while the cabbage adds a delightful crunch. With great northern beans for protein and potatoes for heartiness, this stew is perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week. Let the aromas fill your kitchen as this stew simmers, creating a comforting medley that is sure to be your new family favorite!
12
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cabbage
2 heads (small) (Shredded)
Onions
2 medium (Sliced into thin half moons)
Bacon
10 slices (Rendered)
Chicken Breasts
2 large (bone-in) (Seasoned and browned)
Great Northern Beans
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) (Drained and rinsed)
Potatoes
8 medium (Peeled and diced)
Chicken Broth
2 cans (14 ounces each) (Used as a liquid base)
Chicken Bouillon Cubes
8 cubes (To enhance flavor)
Water
8 cans (from chicken broth can) (To adjust consistency)
Instructions
1
Begin by rendering the bacon fat in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, then remove it from the pot and chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
2
In the same pot, shred the cabbage and slice the onions. Add the cabbage and onions to the rendered bacon fat, sautéing them until they start to caramelize and turn lightly browned.
3
Return the chopped bacon to the pot with the cabbage and onion mixture, then set aside.
4
Peel the potatoes and dice them into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken breasts with Soul Seasoning and pepper.
5
In the same pot, add additional bacon fat if necessary, and sear the seasoned chicken breasts until well browned on all sides.
6
Pour in the chicken broth, add the bouillon cubes, diced potatoes, and the water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
7
Remove two chicken halves from the pot and allow them to cool slightly. Once cooled, shred the chicken into chunky, bite-sized pieces.
8
Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the cabbage mixture and the drained great northern beans. Stir to combine.
9
Continue to simmer the stew until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency, about 1 to 1.5 hours. For best results, consider transferring to a crockpot to allow for slow cooking.
10
If the stew is too fatty for your liking, use a paper towel to gently soak up excess grease after frying the chicken, but do not clean the pot, as the fond adds delicious flavor.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
33g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bacon and Cabbage Chicken Stew Delight?
It is a heartwarming Southern comfort food stew featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, shredded cabbage, great northern beans, and potatoes in a savory broth.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings, making it ideal for families or meal prep.
What are the main ingredients in this stew?
The main ingredients include 2 small heads of cabbage, 2 medium onions, 10 slices of bacon, 2 large bone-in chicken breasts, great northern beans, and 8 medium potatoes.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of this stew contains approximately 300 calories.
How should I prepare the bacon for the stew?
Render the fat from 10 slices of bacon in a large pot until crispy, then remove the bacon and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
How do I cook the cabbage and onions?
Sauté the shredded cabbage and sliced onions in the rendered bacon fat until they begin to caramelize and turn lightly browned.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 large bone-in chicken breasts that are seasoned and browned before simmering.
What seasoning is recommended for the chicken?
Season the chicken breasts with Soul Seasoning and pepper for a traditional Southern flavor.
Can I use a crockpot for this recipe?
Yes, for the best results and a slow-cooked flavor, you can transfer the stew to a crockpot once all ingredients are combined.
How long does the stew need to simmer?
The stew should simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency.
What kind of beans are included in the stew?
The recipe uses two 15.5-ounce cans of Great Northern Beans, which should be drained and rinsed.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes, the 8 medium potatoes should be peeled and diced into bite-sized pieces before being added to the pot.
How do I handle the chicken after it finishes simmering?
Remove the chicken from the pot, allow it to cool, and then shred it into chunky, bite-sized pieces before returning it to the stew.
What if the stew seems too greasy?
If the stew is too fatty, you can use a paper towel to gently soak up excess grease from the top after frying the chicken.
What liquid base is used for the stew?
The base consists of 2 cans of chicken broth, 8 bouillon cubes, and 8 additional cans of water (using the broth can as a measure).
How should the onions be cut?
The 2 medium onions should be sliced into thin half moons.
Should I clean the pot after searing the chicken?
No, do not clean the pot after searing; the fond (browned bits) left in the pot adds essential depth and flavor to the stew.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 13 grams of fat.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 19 grams of protein.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 33 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe good for meal prepping?
Yes, this stew is hearty and stores well, making it a great option for prepping meals ahead of time.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A large, heavy-bottomed pot is recommended to handle the volume and provide even heat for rendering and sautéing.
How do I know when the stew is done?
The stew is ready when it has thickened to a gravy-like consistency and the potatoes are tender.
Can I adjust the thickness of the stew?
Yes, you can adjust the water amount or the simmering time to reach your preferred thickness.
Why are chicken bouillon cubes used?
They are used to enhance the savory flavor of the broth alongside the chicken broth and water.
What texture does the cabbage provide?
The cabbage adds a delightful crunch and wholesome texture to the hearty stew.
Are there any specific tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as southern stew, comfort food, hearty meal, and family recipe.
Does the recipe contain fiber?
While not specified in the numerical data, the cabbage, beans, and potatoes provide natural dietary fiber.
Is the chicken shredded or left whole?
The chicken is cooked whole to maintain moisture and then shredded into chunky pieces before serving.
Can I use pre-shredded cabbage?
Yes, you can use pre-shredded cabbage bags to save time, though the recipe suggests 2 small fresh heads.