Hearty & Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Stew: Your Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

Experience the ultimate comfort in a bowl with this incredibly easy and healthy Instant Pot chicken stew recipe. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients and streamlined for quick preparation, this savory and hearty dish will be on your table in record time, perfect for any weeknight or cozy weekend meal!

About This Instant Pot Chicken Stew

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a true game-changer for anyone seeking a simple, hearty, and intensely flavorful meal without the fuss. It’s designed to be the ultimate hero of weeknight dinners, bringing warmth and satisfaction to your family table.

Imagine tender, succulent chicken pieces mingling with a vibrant medley of garden-fresh vegetables, all swimming in a rich, aromatic broth. This stew delivers everything you crave in a comforting meal, yet it’s surprisingly straightforward to prepare. The beauty of this recipe lies in its one-pot nature: cooking everything in a single Instant Pot not only drastically cuts down on cooking time but also minimizes your prep and cleanup efforts, giving you more time to relax and enjoy.

While the Instant Pot makes this recipe incredibly efficient and convenient, we’ve also included detailed instructions for a stovetop version, so you can enjoy this delicious chicken stew no matter your preferred cooking method. Whether you’re a pressure cooking pro or a classic stovetop enthusiast, a delicious meal awaits.

Serve generous bowls of this savory stew with warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the flavorful broth, and perhaps pair it with your favorite glass of wine for a truly delightful experience.

And here’s a little secret: the leftovers of this chicken stew are often even better! As the flavors have more time to meld and deepen overnight, each reheating session offers an intensified taste experience. This makes our Instant Pot Chicken Stew an excellent choice for meal prepping, ensuring you have delicious, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.

Key Ingredients for Your Chicken Stew

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Stew begins with selecting quality, fresh ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this comforting masterpiece:

Olive Oil. A good quality extra virgin olive oil or a neutral canola oil forms the base, ideal for sautéing your aromatics and building a rich flavor foundation.

Fresh Vegetables. We embrace the classic mirepoix: a harmonious blend of sweet onion, crisp celery, and vibrant carrots. These vegetables provide essential sweetness, depth, and texture, making the stew incredibly comforting and nutritious.

Garlic. No savory stew is complete without it! Freshly minced garlic adds an indispensable aromatic punch. For convenience, keeping a jar of minced garlic in your fridge is a smart time-saving tip.

Chicken. We recommend using about 1.5 to 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into uniform 2-inch pieces for even cooking. For an alternative, boneless, skinless chicken thighs offer a slightly richer flavor and remain incredibly tender under pressure.

Tomato Paste. This concentrated flavor enhancer adds a crucial layer of umami and richness to the stew, deepening its overall profile. Opting for tomato paste in tubes is excellent for minimizing waste, as you can easily use just what you need and store the rest.

Dry White Wine. A dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, contributes a subtle acidity and complexity that brightens the stew’s flavors. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, simply substitute this with an equal amount of chicken stock for a delicious, non-alcoholic version.

Chicken Stock or Broth. This liquid base is vital for creating the stew’s luscious broth. We suggest using a low-sodium chicken stock or broth, allowing you to control the seasoning precisely. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand or even homemade stock for superior flavor.

Fresh Thyme. Fresh herb sprigs are paramount for infusing the stew with an earthy, fragrant aroma. Fresh thyme sprigs are preferred, but a sprig of fresh rosemary can also be added for an additional layer of herbaceous flavor if desired.

Bay Leaves. Often underestimated, bay leaves impart a subtle yet significant depth of flavor, adding a warm, almost tea-like note that enhances the overall richness of the stew.

Potatoes. For a classic stew texture, we love using red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch chunks. Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are also excellent choices, each offering slightly different textures – creamy for Yukon Gold, and starchy for Russet.

Fresh Parsley. A generous sprinkle of fresh, chopped parsley at the end brings a pop of color and a bright, fresh herbal finish, lifting the entire dish. Always use fresh herbs for the best results.

Cornstarch Slurry (Optional). For those who prefer a thicker, more substantial stew, a simple cornstarch slurry (a mixture of water and cornstarch) is your secret weapon. This allows you to achieve your desired consistency without compromising flavor.

Essential Equipment for This Recipe

To successfully prepare this delicious Instant Pot Chicken Stew, having the right tools makes all the difference. While the Instant Pot is the star, a few other kitchen essentials will ensure a smooth cooking process.

First and foremost, you will need an Instant Pot. We highly recommend the Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Ultra for their reliability and versatility. For those who enjoy extra functionality, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid is an excellent choice as it doubles as an air fryer, adding more value to your kitchen.

Beyond the Instant Pot, you’ll need a few basic but crucial kitchen tools: a sharp chef’s knife for precise dicing of vegetables and chicken, a sturdy cutting board, and a dependable wooden spoon for stirring and scraping. If you opt for the stovetop method, a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven will be your primary cooking vessel.

How to Make Pressure Cooker Chicken Stew

Making a delicious and hearty chicken stew in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect one-pot meal:

Sauté the Aromatics

Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Once the inner pot is hot, add your chosen oil. Allow it to heat briefly, then add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir frequently and cook until these vegetables have softened, which typically takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This initial sautéing step is crucial for developing the foundational flavors of your stew.

Next, add the minced garlic to the pot. Continue to cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can turn bitter. Season this aromatic base generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Once sautéed, turn off the Instant Pot to prepare for pressure cooking.

Pressure Cook to Perfection

Now, it’s time to layer in the remaining ingredients. Stir in the cut chicken pieces, tomato paste, dry white wine (or extra chicken stock), chicken stock, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and diced potatoes. Ensure all ingredients are well combined and submerged in the liquid. Do not stir after adding the chicken to prevent a “Burn” notice.

Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to the “Sealing” position. Cook on “High Pressure” for 10 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR) for 5 minutes. This natural release helps tenderize the chicken and prevents the stew from boiling over. After 5 minutes, carefully perform a manual quick release (QR) for any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, it’s safe to open the lid.

At this point, you can choose to serve the stew as is, or proceed to the next step for a thicker consistency. If serving immediately without thickening, remember to remove the bay leaves and stir in the fresh parsley for a burst of fresh flavor!

Thicken for a Richer Consistency (Optional)

If you prefer a richer, thicker stew, prepare a cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of cold water until smooth. Set your Instant Pot back to the “Sauté” function.

Stir the cornstarch slurry directly into the hot stew. Allow it to simmer gently for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew reaches your desired thickness. The stew will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

Before serving, remove the bay leaves, as they have now imparted their flavor. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley to add a bright, herbaceous note and a pop of color. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then ladle into bowls and enjoy your delicious, homemade chicken stew.

Tips and Delicious Variations

Elevate your Instant Pot Chicken Stew with these helpful tips and creative variations:

• Taste and Season Generously: Always taste your stew after it cooks. Different brands of chicken stock vary in sodium content, so you might need to add more salt or a pinch of pepper. This is also the perfect opportunity to customize. Want a little heat? Add some red pepper flakes. Craving a deeper herbaceous note? Feel free to add in dried herbs like basil, oregano, or a touch of sage. The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalizing the flavors to make it truly yours!
• Uniformity in Cutting: For both aesthetic appeal and optimal cooking, ensure that your vegetables and chicken are cut into roughly the same size pieces. This promotes even cooking, preventing some ingredients from becoming mushy while others are still firm. Plus, it makes every spoonful a perfectly balanced bite.
• Creamy Indulgence: For those who love a richer, creamier stew, simply stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or a splash of half-and-half after the stew has finished cooking and you’ve removed the bay leaves. This addition creates a wonderfully smooth and velvety broth without being overly heavy.
• Add a Splash of Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can brighten all the flavors in the stew, adding a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness beautifully.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of a kick, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper along with the other seasonings.
• Go Green: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering (or right before serving for the Instant Pot version) for an extra boost of greens.

More comfort food favorites: Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu| Instant Pot Pot Roast | Tuscan White Bean Soup | Rigatoni Al Forno

What Size Instant Pot Do I Need for This Recipe?

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew recipe is versatile and can be prepared in either a 6-quart or an 8-quart Instant Pot. Both sizes will comfortably accommodate the ingredients listed for a standard batch, yielding delicious results. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, remember that this hearty stew can also be made on the stovetop in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot.

Can I Customize the Vegetables in My Stew?

Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly adaptable, and experimenting with different vegetables can add exciting new dimensions to your chicken stew. While the classic mirepoix (onions, carrots, celery) forms a fantastic base, feel free to get creative.

For alternative potato options, consider using sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, or even parsnips for an earthy flavor. Hearty root vegetables like butternut squash or delicata squash, cut into similar-sized chunks, also make wonderful additions. Towards the end of the cooking process, you can stir in quick-cooking vegetables such as green beans, corn kernels, or peas. Even sliced zucchini or bell peppers can be incorporated for added nutrition and flavor. Just ensure any added vegetables are cut to a consistent size to promote even cooking.

Do I Need to Sear Chicken Before Pressure Cooking?

One of the many conveniences of cooking in an Instant Pot is that you can absolutely put raw chicken directly into the pot without searing it first! While searing can add a layer of flavor and color, it’s not strictly necessary for this stew, especially when you’re aiming for a quicker preparation. The high-pressure cooking method ensures that the chicken cooks thoroughly and remains tender and juicy. You don’t need to worry about any bacteria, as the pressure cooking process will safely cook the chicken to an internal temperature that eliminates any concerns.

How Can I Thicken My Chicken Stew After Cooking?

If you prefer a thicker, more gravy-like consistency for your chicken stew, a cornstarch slurry is the easiest and most effective way to achieve this after cooking. Once the stew has finished its pressure cooking cycle and the pressure has been released, you can proceed with thickening it.

First, set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of cold water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until no lumps remain – this is your slurry. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering stew, stirring continuously. Let the stew simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving, and stir in your fresh parsley for a final touch of freshness and color.

Is it Possible to Double This Recipe?

Yes, you can certainly double this Instant Pot Chicken Stew recipe if you’re cooking for a larger crowd or aiming for more leftovers! However, it’s crucial to consider the size of your Instant Pot. This recipe can only be doubled if you are using an 8-quart Instant Pot. If you have a 6-quart Instant Pot, we strongly advise against doubling the recipe, as overfilling your pressure cooker can be unsafe and can prevent it from coming to pressure correctly. Always ensure that you do not fill your Instant Pot past its maximum fill line, which is typically indicated on the inner pot.

Need some inspiration for using the Instant Pot? Check out my Instant Pot recipes page!

What to Serve Alongside Your Chicken Stew

This hearty Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a meal in itself, but a few complementary sides can truly complete the experience. The classic pairing is generous slices of toasted crusty bread or warm dinner rolls, perfect for soaking up every last bit of the rich, savory broth. For an added touch of freshness and visual appeal, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over each serving. You might also consider a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the stew.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

One of the best things about this Instant Pot Chicken Stew is how well it keeps, with flavors often improving over time. Here’s how to properly store and reheat your leftovers:

Storage: Allow any leftover stew to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator, where the stew will remain fresh and delicious for up to 2 days. This makes it an excellent option for meal prepping throughout the week.

Reheating: To reheat, simply transfer your desired portion of stew to a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until it’s hot and bubbling. If the stew has thickened too much in the fridge, you can add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it slightly.

Freezing: While you can technically freeze this chicken stew, we generally don’t recommend it if you want to maintain optimal texture. The freezing and thawing process can often make the potatoes and other vegetables quite mushy, altering the desired consistency of the stew. If you still wish to freeze, store cooled, room-temperature stew in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Leave some headspace for expansion.

Thawing: When ready to enjoy frozen stew, transfer the container to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Reheat using the stovetop or microwave method as described above.

More Comforting Soup and Stew Recipes

If you’re a fan of warm, comforting bowls, explore these other delightful recipes:

Our creamy pumpkin and sweet potato soup is a wonderfully versatile dish that can be made effortlessly on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or right in your Instant Pot, offering rich, earthy flavors.

For a timeless classic, try this Instant Pot tomato soup recipe. It makes homemade tomato soup incredibly easy, and includes a host of variations to make it creamy, spicy, or uniquely yours.

And for those who cherish a hearty bowl of chili, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of cozy chili recipes, perfect for warming up on any chilly day.

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