There’s just something comforting about a warm, creamy stew that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas all day. This White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe blends tender chicken, fresh herbs, and a splash of white wine to create a dish that’s both soothing and elegant. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to slow cooker meal.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
What really makes this White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe stand out for me is how effortlessly it marries deep flavors with simple ingredients, plus it’s made in the slow cooker so you don’t have to hover over the stove. I’ve been making it on chilly weekends, and it never disappoints.
- Rich Flavor: The white wine and fresh herbs infuse the chicken with a fragrant depth you won’t find in ordinary stews.
- Hands-Off Cooking: It’s a slow cooker recipe, making dinner prep relaxed and stress-free.
- Perfectly Creamy Texture: Adding the cream and flour at the end thickens the stew gently without heaviness.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: It’s hearty enough for weeknights yet special enough for guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here work together like a well-tuned kitchen band. The white wine brightens the rich broth, while aromatic garlic, rosemary, and thyme give an herbal punch. Yukon gold potatoes hold their shape beautifully, and the finishing touch of peas adds a pop of color and sweetness.
- Olive Oil: Used to brown the chicken; brings a fruity flavor and helps develop that lovely sear.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Keeps the dish lean and tender; cutting into 1-inch pieces ensures even cooking.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the stew’s base with savory richness.
- Dry White Wine: Adds acidity and complex flavor; pick a decent bottle you’d enjoy drinking.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami depth without overpowering the stew.
- Fresh Rosemary & Thyme: Classic herbs that brighten and elevate the flavor.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic gives essential aromatic warmth.
- Yellow Onion: Sweetens and adds texture.
- Carrots: Give natural sweetness and body.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: Creamy inside with firm skin, perfect for stew.
- All-Purpose Flour: Mixed with cream to thicken the stew beautifully.
- Heavy Cream: Rounds out the stew with a velvety finish.
- Frozen Peas: Stirred in last for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For seasoning to taste.
Make It Your Way
I love that you can really tailor this stew to what you have on hand or your own tastes. Whether you want it a little thicker, with extra veggies, or even lighter on the cream, it’s easy to adjust.
- Variation: I sometimes swap the chicken breast for thighs if I want a juicier, more flavorful stew — it works like a charm and stays tender with slow cooking.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in celery or mushrooms for extra earthiness and texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk, and skip the flour if you want a lighter stew.
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken pieces well with salt and pepper. Brown them in batches for about 5-6 minutes until they get a nice golden crust — don’t worry about cooking through here, we’re just locking in flavor. This step makes a huge difference in developing a rich base for the stew.
Step 2: Assemble Your Stew in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the browned chicken into your slow cooker. Add chicken broth, dry white wine, Worcestershire sauce, chopped rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, chopped onions, carrots, and diced Yukon gold potatoes. Give everything a good stir so all those lovely flavors start mingling.
Step 3: Low and Slow Cooking Magic
Cover the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours if you have the time, or on high for 4-5 hours if you’re pressed for it. The chicken should be tender, and the veggies soft but not mushy. This slow cooking allows the wine and herbs to really penetrate every bite.
Step 4: Create That Creamy Finish
This part is key to getting the perfect stew consistency. Scoop out about ½ cup of the broth from the slow cooker into a small bowl. Stir in the heavy cream, then whisk in the flour until smooth with no lumps. Pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and stir well. Then, add the frozen peas – they’ll cook through quickly and keep their lovely green color. Cook on high, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes to thicken everything up.
Step 5: Season & Serve
Give your stew a final taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. At this point, the aroma will be irresistible, you’ll want to dive right into a cozy bowl.
Top Tip
Over the years, I've found a few tricks that really help this White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe shine. These tips won’t just save you time, but also help you avoid the little hiccups I used to make.
- Don’t Skip Browning the Chicken: It adds a wonderful caramelized flavor that you just can’t get without this step.
- Wine Quality Matters: Use a dry white wine you’d enjoy drinking – cooking won’t improve cheap wine’s taste.
- Mix Flour Smoothly: Whisk the flour into the cream slowly to avoid lumps, and don’t pour it all at once back into the stew.
- Season at the End: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper after the stew thickens, not before.
How to Serve White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme leaves — it brightens the dish visually and adds a fresh herby kick right as you dig in. A little lemon zest on top can also lift the flavors if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
I usually serve it with crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious broth. Mashed potatoes or a simple green salad also make great sides if you want to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve tried serving this stew in individual bread bowls — it’s festive and adds a rustic charm that guests always comment on. Garnishing with edible flowers or fresh microgreens takes it a step further for dinner parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which you probably will), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The stew actually tastes better the next day once the flavors meld, but be sure to consume it within 3 days for freshness.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this stew successfully by letting it cool completely, then portioning into freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the texture remains great, though I recommend adding a splash of cream or broth when reheating to refresh the sauce.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it feels too thick, just add a bit more broth or water to loosen it up without losing any flavor or creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully because they stay juicy and tender during slow cooking, adding a richer flavor to the stew. Just cut them into 1-inch pieces like the breasts.
Choose a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Avoid sweet wines, as they may alter the flavor profile of the stew.
Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the chicken, then cook it on the pressure cooking setting for about 15 minutes followed by a natural release. You might need to adjust the final thickening step accordingly.
You can use cornstarch mixed with a little cold water as a gluten-free thickener. Add the mixture near the end of cooking and allow it to simmer until the stew reaches your desired thickness.
Final Thoughts
This White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe is one of those dishes I reach for when I want something cozy but special. It’s forgiving for cooks of all levels and makes the house smell downright irresistible. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying solo on a quiet night in.
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White Wine Chicken Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew featuring tender chicken breast, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a creamy white wine-infused broth slowly cooked to perfection. This recipe is perfect for an easy, flavorful dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled, halved, and sliced
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- ⅔ cup frozen peas
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- ½ cup heavy cream
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken for about 5-6 minutes, ensuring the outside is nicely seared but not fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Add chicken broth, white wine, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, chopped onion, sliced carrots, and diced potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir everything to combine evenly.
- Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Make the Thickening Mixture: Remove ½ cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker and pour into a bowl. Stir in the heavy cream, then whisk in the flour until smooth with no lumps.
- Thicken the Stew: Pour the cream and flour mixture back into the slow cooker and stir well to combine.
- Finalize the Stew: Stir in frozen peas and cook on high, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes more until the stew thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.
- If you prefer a lighter stew, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Dry white wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- Make sure to brown the chicken first to add depth of flavor to the stew.
- Frozen peas are added at the end to keep their freshness and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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