Description
Alabama Chicken Stew is a hearty and comforting Southern dish featuring tender bone-in, skinless chicken thighs simmered with fresh vegetables in a savory broth. This stew is rich in flavor, easy to prepare, and perfect for cozy evenings or any time you crave a soul-soothing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- Optional: 1 cup diced tomatoes or 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Liquids & Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop all vegetables into even pieces and pat the chicken thighs dry to ensure a good sear.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Liquid and Seasonings: Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat to simmer.
- Add Potatoes and Simmer: Add diced potatoes and optional tomatoes or tomato paste. Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes until chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or herbs as desired. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken for richer flavor and juiciness.
- Do not skip browning the chicken and vegetables to develop deeper flavors.
- Simmer gently to keep chicken tender and allow flavors to meld.
- Add fresh parsley or herbs just before serving for brightness.
- Stew tastes even better the next day after flavors have fully developed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Alabama Chicken Stew, Southern Chicken Stew, Comfort Food, Chicken and Vegetable Stew, Hearty Stew, Gluten Free Stew
