Jamie Oliver’s Chicken Stew is a classic dish that’s both nourishing and easy to make. The stew combines tender pieces of chicken with vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes, all slow-cooked with herbs in a rich broth. The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a meal that’s both flavorful and comforting.
If you’d like extra flavor, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken thighs on each side for 2-3 minutes until golden. This step is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor to the stew.
In the slow cooker, add the carrots, celery, potatoes, onion, garlic, and browned chicken thighs (or add them raw if skipping the browning step). Pour in the chicken broth and canned tomatoes, and add the bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The stew is ready when the chicken is tender and easily falls apart, and the vegetables are soft.
If desired, remove the chicken thighs from the stew, shred the meat using two forks, and return it to the slow cooker. Discard the bones.
Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.