If you’re looking for healthy meal prep ideas that double as a budget-friendly comfort food, this Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew is the perfect solution. Packed with tender shredded chicken, baby potatoes, carrots, peas, and aromatic herbs, this dish is rich, filling, and ideal for busy weeknights. It’s a classic one-pot meal that’s high in protein, loaded with vegetables, and perfect for anyone searching for easy family dinner recipes or clean eating recipes.

This stew also works wonderfully as a slow cooker recipe or stovetop dish, making it versatile for different cooking styles.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 pound (450g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup diced tomatoes (optional for richer flavor)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Seasoning

Place the chicken into the pot. Sprinkle thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper evenly over the top.

Step 3: Add Broth and Potatoes

Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes (if using). Add baby potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.

Step 5: Add Peas and Thicken

Stir in peas and simmer for another 5 minutes. For a thicker stew, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into the stew. Simmer until thickened.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with fresh herbs and serve hot with crusty bread.

Nutrition Benefits

High-protein meal for muscle support
Rich in fiber from vegetables
Great for low-calorie dinner options
Ideal for weight loss meal plans
Perfect for weekly meal prep

Slow Cooker Option

For a convenient slow cooker recipe, add all ingredients except peas and cornstarch to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Shred chicken, add peas, and cook 20 minutes more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make this stew ahead of time for meal prep?

Yes! This is one of the best healthy meal prep ideas because flavors deepen overnight. Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

2. Can I freeze chicken vegetable stew?

Absolutely. Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

3. What can I substitute for potatoes?

For low-carb dinner recipes, substitute cauliflower or turnips.

4. How do I make this dairy-free and gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally dairy-free. To keep it gluten-free, avoid flour-based thickeners and use cornstarch instead.

5. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes! Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken reduces cooking time and makes it an even faster easy weeknight dinner recipe.