Cozy Farmhouse Hearty Country Chicken Stew Recipe

Comfort warms every spoonful of this hearty country chicken stew that promises pure culinary bliss.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among vibrant vegetables in a rich, savory broth.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly to create a soul-satisfying meal that whispers of home-cooked traditions.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance through each bite, promising depth and warmth.

Generations have cherished this classic recipe, passing down its delicious legacy from kitchen to kitchen.

Winter evenings or chilly afternoons call for this nourishing stew that fills your bowl and heart with joy.

You’ll want to ladle this comforting dish into deep bowls and savor every warming spoonful.

Serve It Rustic or Refined—Your Choice

• Cozy Bread Companion: Slice up a crusty sourdough or rustic country bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add a delightful textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Hearty Rice Bed: Serve the stew over fluffy white rice or nutty brown rice to create a satisfying one-bowl meal that captures all the delicious chicken and vegetable goodness.
• Zesty Herb Sprinkle: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, chives, or green onions to add a bright, fresh pop of color and enhance the stew's deep, comforting flavors.
• Winter Warmth Pairing: Complement the stew with a glass of robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a crisp, light Pinot Noir to elevate the dining experience and bring out the dish's complex notes.

Store It Well, Enjoy It Later

• Store leftover stew in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Portion stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when reheated.
• Thaw frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching.
• Add a splash of fresh broth or water when reheating to restore moisture and revive the stew's rich, comforting texture. Garnish with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

Your Shopping List for This Country-Inspired Stew

• Whole Chicken: Provides rich, hearty flavor and tender meat for the stew's main protein source. Choose a fresh, plump bird with smooth, pale skin for best results.
• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture to the dish. Select thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor impact and satisfying crunchiness.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundation of flavor that builds a robust, savory base. Pick firm onions with no soft spots and garlic bulbs that feel heavy and compact.
• Bay Leaves, Thyme: Infuse the stew with earthy, complex herbal notes. Use fresh herbs when possible for brighter, more intense flavor profile.

• Dried Beans: Provide hearty texture and additional protein. Soak overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
• Carrots, Cabbage: Add sweetness, crunch, and nutritional value to the stew. Select crisp, vibrant vegetables with no signs of wilting or discoloration.
• Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Brightens the entire dish with a tangy finish, balancing the rich, deep flavors of the stew.

Tools That Help You Cook Like You’re on the Farm

• Large Dutch oven or stockpot: Essential for building and simmering the entire stew, providing even heat distribution.
• Slotted spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon and transferring ingredients without excess liquid.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, and cabbage.
• Sharp knife: Key for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring tools: Help ensure accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
• Shredding tools: Useful for breaking down cooked chicken meat.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing stew ingredients during cooking.

Step Into the Rhythm of a Slow, Flavorful Stew

• Start the Flavor Journey

Brown crispy bacon in a large pot, creating a delicious foundation that will make your entire kitchen smell amazing. Remove bacon and set aside, keeping all those wonderful drippings.

• Wake Up the Aromatics

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the bacon fat, letting them dance and become soft and golden. This builds incredible depth of flavor for your rustic chicken stew.

• Build the Hearty Base

Drop a whole chicken into the pot with dried beans, bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Pour in water until everything is just covered. Let everything simmer gently, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting meal.

• Introduce Colorful Companions

Slide in chunky carrots and ribbons of cabbage. Allow them to mingle and become tender while infusing the broth with their sweet and earthy notes.

• Create the Final Magic

Pull out the chicken, strip away skin and bones, and shred the meat lovingly. Reunite the shredded chicken and crispy bacon in the pot. Brighten the entire dish with a splash of lemon juice, then season until it sings with flavor. Serve piping hot alongside crusty bread or fluffy rice.

Tweaks That Add Earthy Comfort or Freshness

• Overnight soaking helps beans cook faster and reduces digestive discomfort, making your stew smoother and more digestible.
• Replace bacon with smoked turkey or lean pancetta to cut salt content while maintaining rich, smoky undertones for health-conscious eaters.
• Skip traditional bread and serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a celiac-friendly version that doesn't compromise on heartiness.
• Swap chicken with firm tofu or mixed mushrooms, use vegetable broth, and add extra beans for a protein-packed plant-based alternative that captures the stew's comforting essence.
• Introduce red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat lovers, or keep it mild with sweet paprika – easily personalize the warmth without changing the core recipe.

Hearty Country Chicken Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Country Chicken Stew brings rustic comfort straight from farmhouse kitchens. Savory herbs, tender chicken, and rich broth combine to deliver a soul-warming meal that satisfies deep hunger and nourishes more than just taste buds.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.4–1.8 kg), skin removed if desired
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) dried navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 3 carrots, sliced
• ⅓ head green cabbage, shredded
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 tbsps lemon juice or red wine vinegar (for finishing)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Water, to cover

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Beans: Submerge dried beans in water overnight, then drain and rinse thoroughly to prepare for cooking.
2. Render Bacon: Crisp bacon in a substantial Dutch oven, extracting the rendered fat while setting aside the meat for later incorporation.
3. Develop Aromatic Foundation: Sauté sliced onions and minced garlic in the residual bacon fat until translucent and releasing fragrant notes, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Construct Flavor Base: Introduce whole chicken, pre-soaked beans, aromatic bay leaves, and earthy thyme into the pot. Cover with water, season with salt, elevate to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer under a tight lid for one hour.
5. Integrate Vegetable Components: Incorporate carrots and cabbage into the simmering liquid, continuing to cook uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables become tender and chicken reaches complete doneness.
6. Deconstruct and Reassemble Protein: Extract chicken, discard skin and bones, meticulously shred meat, then reunite shredded chicken and reserved crispy bacon within the stew.
7. Final Refinement: Brighten the dish with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve piping hot alongside crusty bread or fluffy rice.

Notes

• Soak dried beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. Quick-soak method works if you’re short on time by boiling beans for 2 minutes, then letting them rest for an hour.
• Use low and slow simmering technique to keep chicken moist and tender. Avoid high heat which can toughen meat fibers and make chicken stringy.
• Cook bacon first to release its fat, creating a rich, smoky base for the stew. Reserve crispy bacon bits for final garnish to maintain crunchiness and maximize flavor profile.
• Substitute bacon with smoked paprika for vegetarian version. Use gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce if avoiding gluten. Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for plant-based alternative.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg