Savory Southern Chicken Stew Recipe – A Classic Comfort Food

Greetings, fellow foodies! Ever since I started cooking professionally, I have been fascinated with the diverse and flavorful cuisine of the southern United States. If you are looking for a dish that represents southern comfort and warmth, then you can’t go wrong with our Southern Chicken Stew Recipe.

This recipe is packed full of spices and ingredients that make it an authentic southern-style chicken stew. It brings together the spiciness of ground rosemary, aromatic onions, crunchy celery, sweet carrots, and fiber-rich squash into a savory blend that will tantalize your taste buds.

What’s more, it uses wholesome ingredients like chicken breasts or whole chicken pieces and chicken stock to make a hearty and nutritious meal. Whether you are looking for a warm soup for cold nights or want to enjoy a comforting meal with family or friends, this recipe can win hearts and satisfy appetites any day.

Are you ready to learn how to make one of the best Southern chicken stews out there? Then let’s dive right into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re a fan of southern-style cuisine, then let me tell you why you’ll absolutely love this Southern Chicken Stew recipe. First and foremost, it’s hearty, comforting and bursting with flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more. This stew recipe is perfect for cooler seasons when you crave warm and soulful dishes to nourish your body and soul.

But beyond that, this recipe is incredibly versatile – you can swap some veggies or add additional seasonings if that’s what you prefer. Don’t like carrots? No problem! Replace them with parsnips or turnips for an earthy flavor. Not a fan of celery? Try substituting it with bell peppers or mushrooms for a different texture and taste.

Another reason to love this recipe is its simplicity – it requires only a handful of ingredients that are easily accessible from your grocery store. You can either use whole chicken, chicken breasts or even chicken thighs; but whichever you choose, the result is going to be nothing less than mouth-watering.

Plus, this stew is perfect for meal prepping since it can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for longer periods of time. This means you can make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week without having to worry about cooking again.

Overall, this Southern Chicken Stew recipe is a classic comfort food at its best – it’s wholesome, satisfying and perfect for any time of the year. So why not give it a try and see how easy and delicious home-cooking can be?

Ingredient List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Southern Chicken Stew Recipe:

Stew Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (or chicken breasts)
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp of ground rosemary
• 3 chopped onions (1 for stew, 2 for roux)
• 1/4 cup of chopped celery
• 1/4 cup of chopped carrots
• 1 squash, sliced
• 2 cups of chicken stock
• Salt and black pepper

Roux Ingredients

• Butter (1 stick)
• Flour (1 tbs)

Note: You may also add additional herbs of your choice for more flavor.

The Recipe How-To

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Start by gathering the ingredients for the Southern-style chicken stew. For this recipe, you will need:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp of ground rosemary
• 1 tsp of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups of chopped onions
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 1 cup of chopped carrots
• 1 pound of squash, diced
• 4 cups of chicken stock

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Before cooking the chicken, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with water and pat dry it with paper towels. Season each piece generously with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Coat and cook the chicken

In a large bowl, combine the flour with rosemary, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture.

Heat up a large pot over medium-high heat and add in oil. Once hot, start cooking the chicken until browned on both sides and then set aside.

Step 4: Cook the vegetables and add in chicken stock

Using the same large pot, sauté onions, celery, and carrots until softened. Then add in squash.

Pour in chicken stock and bring everything to a boil.

Step 5: Add in the chicken

Add back in seared chicken pieces to pot.

Step 6: Simmer until ready to serve

Cover pot with lid slightly raised from one side for evaporation. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Enjoy your hot bowl of classic Southern-style chicken stew accompanied by fluffy rice or cornbread.

Substitutions and Variations

Southern Chicken Stew is a classic dish that has a lot of room for customization. There are many variations of this recipe that reflect the different culinary traditions in the southern United States. Here are some suggested substitutions and variations that will help you give your Southern Chicken Stew its own unique flavor:

1. Vegetarian Southern Chickpea Stew – Replace the chicken with chickpeas, reduce the chicken stock to 2 cups, and add 1 cup of vegetable broth or water. Make sure to still use plenty of onions, celery and carrots as they are key ingredients that add both flavor and nutrition to the dish.

2. Brunswick Stew – This is another classic southern stew, which is similar to a chicken stew but includes lima beans, corn and potatoes. You can adjust the recipe to include some of these ingredients to create a hybrid Chicken Brunswick Stew.

3. Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Stew – add dumplings for an extra filling meal. Cook your choice of premade or homemade dumplings on top of the stew for about 15 minutes for delicious fluffy toppings.

4. Hearty greens – Try adding some hearty greens like collard or turnip greens during the last ten minutes of cooking to add some extra nutrition and texture.

5. Change up the meat- If you prefer another protein source than chicken , feel free try using beef or pork instead.

The possibilities for customizing Southern Chicken Stew are endless! Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ingredients and try out different methods until you find the perfect combination that satisfies your taste buds.

Serving and Pairing

Now that your delicious southern chicken stew is ready, it’s time to pair it with some items that will elevate the flavors of this delightful dish. To maintain the classic southern-style cuisine, serve the chicken stew with traditional cornbread or freshly baked biscuits. As a side option, add a dash of hot sauce to your serving for an extra tangy punch. You can also serve the stew over fluffy white rice to balance out the richness of the dish.

If you’re feeling festive and want to switch things up a bit, try pairing the chicken stew with Brunswick Stew – another famous southern classic. This soup-like stew typically consists of chicken thighs or wings, potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, and corn in a tomato-based broth seasoned with ground rosemary and powder-based spices that give the finished product its rich and hearty flavor.

For something a bit lighter, a creamy chicken stew can be paired with buttery garlic green beans or roasted squash for an interesting combination that would make for a mouth-watering meal. Lastly, for those who want a fuller taste and texture in their meal can add some dumplings to the mix.

By following these serving and pairing suggestions, you will be able to create an unforgettable dining experience that is sure to impress any crowd.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

One of the things that makes this Southern Chicken Stew recipe so great is that it can be easily made ahead of time and stored for later. In fact, this stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together even more.

To make this stew ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions up until step five. At this point, instead of enjoying your delicious creation right away, let it cool down to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

When you’re ready to serve, you have a few options. If you want to enjoy your Southern Chicken Stew as is, simply reheat on medium heat in a saucepan on the stove until it’s piping hot. You may need to add a little bit of water or chicken broth if the stew has thickened up in the fridge.

Another tasty option is to turn this classic comfort food into something new by making dumplings or adding rice to the mix. To do so, simply prepare your rice or dumplings separately and then combine with your reheated chicken stew.

If you have any leftovers, storage is easy. Just let everything cool down before transferring it into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. You can also freeze your leftover stew for up to two months in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

Overall, this Southern Chicken Stew recipe is incredibly versatile and can easily fit into any meal plan schedule due to its make-ahead and freezing capabilities.

Tips for Perfect Results

If you want to make the best Southern Chicken Stew imaginable, there are a few things you can do to elevate your dish. Here are my top tips for perfect results:

First and foremost, seasoning is key. Don’t be afraid to use ample amounts of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors of your stew. I also recommend adding ground rosemary for a fragrant and earthy taste.

Next, make sure you chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Not only does this make it easier to eat, but it helps ensure that all the ingredients cook evenly. A well-cooked stew will have tender carrots, squash, celery and onions that practically melt in your mouth.

When it comes to the chicken, use boneless chicken breasts or whole pieces of chicken instead of chicken thighs or wings. While those cuts of meat are tasty too, using boneless breasts or whole pieces will keep the broth clean and clear.

For an extra creamy twist on traditional Southern Chicken Stew, mix one cup of heavy cream into the stew after cooking for a richer texture.

Another tip is to let your stew simmer over low heat for several hours if possible. This will allow all the ingredients to mingle together and create a rich and flavorful broth.

Lastly, consider serving your Southern Chicken Stew with cornbread or biscuits on the side. The warm bread pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors of the stew.

By following these tips, you’re sure to create a delicious Southern Chicken Stew that will be a hit with your family and friends.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, Southern-style cuisine is known for its heartiness and rich flavor. And this southern chicken stew recipe is no exception. Packed with savory ingredients like ground rosemary, onions, celery, carrots, and squash, this recipe will make your taste buds sing with delight.

Just remember to follow the instructions closely and use high-quality ingredients to get the best possible results. Feel free to experiment with substitutions and variations to suit your taste and dietary preferences.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this southern chicken stew recipe is a delicious way to explore the flavors of the South. So why not give it a try tonight? I promise that once you have one bite, you’ll be hooked for good!

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