There's something irresistibly cozy about a warm, hearty stew filled with tender chicken, fresh herbs, and a splash of wine. This White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe is just the kind of comforting meal that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas and your belly with pure happiness.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this slow cooker stew has saved my dinner plans. It’s so simple, yet packed full of flavor — the white wine adds just the right touch of brightness and warmth. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again.
- Effortless Slow Cooking: Throw everything in, set it, and forget it — perfect for busy days or when you want to come home to a ready meal.
- Rich Flavor with Simple Ingredients: Using herbs like rosemary and thyme alongside white wine creates a deep, comforting taste without any fuss.
- Versatile and Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or swap ingredients to suit your style or diet.
- Perfectly Creamy Texture: The finishing step with cream and flour thickens the stew just right for a luscious, cozy bowl.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this stew plays a special role. The chicken gives you protein, while the potatoes and carrots bulk it up with comforting earthiness. The white wine and herbs lift the flavors, and the cream makes it irresistibly silky. When picking ingredients, fresher always tastes better, especially the herbs and garlic.
- Olive oil: Helps brown the chicken for extra flavor before slow cooking.
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless cuts cook evenly and stay tender.
- Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and moisture to the stew.
- Dry white wine: Brightens the dish with acidity and complexity.
- Worcestershire sauce: Boosts umami and adds a subtle tang.
- Fresh rosemary & thyme: Earthy herbs that complement chicken beautifully.
- Garlic cloves: Adds essential aromatic warmth.
- Yellow onion: Sweetens and enriches the stew base.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and texture.
- Yukon gold potatoes: Creamy and firm, they hold their shape well during cooking.
- All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the stew at the end without clumps.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and smoothness to finish the stew.
- Frozen peas: Stirred in at the end for color and a pop of freshness.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
Make It Your Way
This stew is a blank canvas that I love to play with! Sometimes I swap in sweet potatoes instead of Yukon golds or add mushrooms for earthiness. Play around with what you have in the fridge — the slow cooker handles it all so well.
- Variation: I’ve had luck swapping heavy cream for coconut cream to make a dairy-free version. It’s just as creamy, with an interesting twist!
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken for Extra Flavor
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then brown them on all sides for about 5-6 minutes. Don’t worry if they’re not cooked through — browning locks in flavor and adds that delicious caramelized aroma. Then, transfer the chicken into your slow cooker.
Step 2: Add Your Aromatics and Liquids
Into the slow cooker, pour in chicken broth, white wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, rosemary, and thyme. Give everything a gentle stir — this is where all those flavors start mingling for the magic to happen.
Step 3: Slow Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or set it to high for about 4-5 hours if you’re shorter on time. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender and the veggies are soft but still hold their shape — slow cooking makes everything melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Step 4: Thicken and Finish with Cream and Peas
When cooking is done, scoop out about half a cup of the broth into a bowl. Stir in heavy cream, then whisk in flour really well until completely smooth — this prevents lumps. Pour the mixture back into the slow cooker, add frozen peas, and cook uncovered on high for another 15-20 minutes. This step thickens the stew and warms the peas perfectly.
Top Tip
After making this stew multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks to get it just right every time — things I wish I knew on my first try! These tips will help save you time and guarantee a luscious, flavorful stew.
- Don’t Skip Browning: It might feel like an extra step but searing the chicken adds so much flavor you won’t want to miss.
- Whisk Flour and Cream Separately: Mixing them in a bowl first keeps your stew silky smooth without any clumps.
- Use Good Quality White Wine: Since wine is a star player here, a decent dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio makes a difference.
- Don’t Overcook Peas: Adding frozen peas just at the end preserves their bright color and fresh snap.
How to Serve White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling freshly chopped parsley on top for a vibrant pop of green and a fresh herbal note. Sometimes, a little grated Parmesan adds a welcome umami boost that pairs beautifully with the creamy stew.
Side Dishes
This stew is hearty enough on its own, but I often serve it with crusty artisan bread to soak up every bit of the silky sauce. A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette also cuts through the richness and adds crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like serving the stew in individual rustic bowls placed on wooden boards with a fresh sprig of rosemary. It makes for a warm, welcoming presentation that feels thoughtfully prepared.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge — they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating and don’t forget to adjust salt if needed.
Freezing
This stew freezes wonderfully! I freeze in portioned, freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture stays smooth, and flavor remains just as comforting.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. This helps keep the chicken tender and prevents the cream from curdling. A splash of broth can loosen things up if it thickened too much in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra moisture and flavor, especially if you like dark meat. Just reduce the slow cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking since thighs become tender faster.
Choose a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Avoid sweet wines as they can alter the flavor balance of the stew. The wine mainly adds brightness and depth, so pick one you enjoy sipping!
Yes, you can substitute the white wine with extra chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. While the flavor won’t be exactly the same, it will still be delicious and comforting.
Be sure to whisk the flour into the cream before adding it back to the slow cooker to avoid lumps. Also, cooking uncovered after adding the thickening mixture lets some liquid evaporate, giving you a nice stew consistency.
Final Thoughts
This White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort dishes, especially when I want something that feels special but requires minimal work. There’s something so satisfying about coming home to a house that smells like herbs, garlic, and wine simmering all day. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe that’s easy to tweak and make your own. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own favorite, too.
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White Wine Chicken Stew in Slow Cooker Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a creamy white wine broth, perfect for an easy and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
Herbs and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
Vegetables
- 2 large carrots, peeled, halved, and sliced
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- ⅔ cup frozen peas
Thickening Agent and Seasoning
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with kosher salt and black pepper, then brown them in the skillet for about 5-6 minutes until golden on the outside, but not fully cooked through. Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Into the slow cooker, add chicken broth, dry white wine, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, chopped onion, sliced carrots, and diced Yukon gold potatoes. Stir everything to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or alternatively on high for 5 hours, until the chicken and vegetables are tender.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: At the end of the cooking time, remove ½ cup of the broth from the slow cooker and place it into a bowl. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and then whisk in ¼ cup all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Thicken the Stew: Pour the cream and flour mixture back into the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Then, stir in the frozen peas and cook uncovered on high for an additional 20 minutes. This step thickens the stew and heats the peas through.
- Season and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning by adding kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy white wine chicken stew.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.
- You can swap Yukon gold potatoes with red potatoes or sweet potatoes for a different flavor and texture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the stew.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, increase the flour quantity slightly or cook uncovered for longer after adding the thickening mixture.
- Fresh herbs can be replaced with 1 teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme if fresh herbs are unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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