Rustic French Chicken Stew in a Slow Cooker
Experience the comforting warmth of this Rustic French Country Chicken Stew, a delightful fusion of tender chicken and a medley of fresh vegetables, simmered to perfection in your slow cooker. This recipe is an adaptation of a classic from 'The Slow Cooker Bible,' elevated with fresh ingredients and fragrant herbs. With a creamy texture and a rich flavor profile, this stew is a perfect companion for chilly weather. Serve it over fluffy rice or hearty noodles for a complete meal that brings the essence of French countryside cooking to your table. Whether hosting a gathering or enjoying a family dinner, this stew is sure to impress with its delightful taste and ease of preparation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonfat dry milk powder
1/3 cup (Measured)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons (Measured)
Low-sodium instant chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (Measured)
Onion powder
1/4 teaspoon (Measured)
Garlic powder
1 pinch (Measured)
Black pepper
1 pinch (Measured)
Water
1 cup (Measured)
Cooking spray
As needed (For coating)
Medium onion
1 (Coarsely chopped)
Carrots
4 (Cut into 1/4 inch thick coins)
Celery ribs
4 (Cut into 1/4 inch thick slices)
Baby white mushrooms
2 cups (Halved (optional))
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
4-6 pieces (Measured)
Herbes de Provence
1 1/2 teaspoons (Measured)
Dried thyme
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Measured)
Onion soup mix
1 (1 ounce) envelope (Measured)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup (Measured)
Cornstarch
2-3 tablespoons (For thickening)
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dry milk powder, cornstarch, chicken bouillon granules, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Alternatively, you could use a can of creamed soup for convenience.
2
Prepare your slow cooker by lightly spraying the inside with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
Layer the chopped onion, celery, and carrot at the bottom of the slow cooker. If using, add halved baby mushrooms on top of the vegetables.
4
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts over the vegetable layer.
5
In a small bowl, mix the onion soup mix with the dried thyme, herbes de Provence, and black pepper. Sprinkle this herb mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
6
Pour the prepared soup substitute or canned soup over the top of the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, depending on your slow cooker’s temperature settings.
7
In the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, blend the dry white wine with cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into the stew until smooth. If using canned soup, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch should suffice, otherwise use 3 tablespoons for the homemade version.
8
Cook uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
9
Once done, serve your rustic stew hot over a bed of rice or noodles.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic French Chicken Stew?
Rustic French Chicken Stew is a comforting slow-cooked meal featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables like carrots and celery, and fragrant herbs like Herbes de Provence, served in a creamy sauce.
How long does it take to cook this stew in a slow cooker?
The stew should be cooked on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, followed by an additional 15 to 20 minutes uncovered to thicken the sauce.
Can I use a canned soup instead of making the homemade creamy base?
Yes, you can use a can of creamed soup for convenience instead of the dry milk powder and bouillon mixture.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes a medium onion, four carrots cut into coins, and four celery ribs cut into slices. Baby white mushrooms can also be added as an optional ingredient.
What type of chicken should I use?
This recipe calls for 4 to 6 pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
How do I thicken the French chicken stew?
In the last 20 minutes of cooking, stir in a mixture of dry white wine and cornstarch, then cook uncovered to allow the sauce to thicken.
What are the essential herbs for this dish?
The key herbs used are Herbes de Provence and dried thyme, which provide the classic French countryside flavor.
What should I serve with Rustic French Chicken Stew?
This hearty stew is best served over a bed of fluffy rice or hearty noodles.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is an adaptation of a classic dish found in 'The Slow Cooker Bible'.
Can I omit the mushrooms?
Yes, the baby white mushrooms are listed as an optional ingredient and can be excluded if preferred.
How do I prepare the creamy soup substitute?
Whisk together nonfat dry milk powder, cornstarch, chicken bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper with one cup of water until smooth.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this slow cooker stew is excellent for meal prep and makes for a great family dinner that can be reheated.
How do I prevent the ingredients from sticking to the slow cooker?
Before adding ingredients, lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
What order should I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Layer the onion, celery, and carrots at the bottom, followed by the mushrooms, then place the chicken breasts on top.
What kind of wine is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe recommends using a dry white wine to blend with the cornstarch for the final thickening stage.
Does this recipe use onion soup mix?
Yes, one envelope of onion soup mix is sprinkled over the chicken and vegetables for extra depth of flavor.
How much cornstarch is needed for thickening?
Use 2 tablespoons if you used canned soup, or 3 tablespoons if you used the homemade soup substitute.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this is considered a one-pot meal because everything is prepared and cooked directly in the slow cooker.
How should I cut the carrots and celery?
Carrots should be cut into 1/4 inch thick coins and celery into 1/4 inch thick slices.
What type of bouillon is used?
The recipe calls for low-sodium instant chicken bouillon granules.
Is the chicken cooked whole or chopped?
The instructions indicate placing whole boneless skinless chicken breasts over the vegetables.
What flavor profile can I expect?
Expect a rich, creamy, and savory flavor profile with prominent notes of onion, thyme, and French herbs.
Can I cook this on a low setting instead?
While the recipe specifies 3-4 hours on high, most slow cooker chicken recipes can be cooked on low for 6-8 hours.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As written, it contains onion soup mix and bouillon which may contain gluten; check labels carefully or use certified gluten-free substitutes.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
Based on the 4-6 chicken breasts, it typically serves 4 to 6 people.
Should the slow cooker be covered the whole time?
It should be covered for the initial 3-4 hours, then uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes after adding the thickener.
What is the texture of the stew?
The stew has a creamy texture thanks to the dry milk powder and cornstarch slurry.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts, though they may require slightly longer cooking times.
Is this stew good for cold weather?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect companion for chilly weather and autumn.
Can I use water instead of wine for the thickener?
Yes, you can substitute chicken broth or water for the dry white wine if you prefer an alcohol-free version.