Easy brown stew chicken recipe for dinner
Easy brown stew chicken recipe for dinner Okay, so let’s talk about brown stew chicken. It’s one of those dishes that sounds fancy but is actually super easy to throw together when you’re staring into your fridge at 6 PM wondering what the heck to make for dinner. I first had this at a friend’s…
Easy brown stew chicken recipe for dinner
Okay, so let’s talk about brown stew chicken. It’s one of those dishes that sounds fancy but is actually super easy to throw together when you’re staring into your fridge at 6 PM wondering what the heck to make for dinner. I first had this at a friend’s house years ago and immediately begged for the recipe. Turns out, it’s just chicken, some spices, and a little patience while it simmers into deliciousness. Now it’s my go-to when I want something hearty but don’t feel like doing a ton of work. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing.
This recipe is forgiving, too. Mess up a little? It’ll probably still taste great. Forget an ingredient? You can probably swap it. That’s my kind of cooking.
Recipe Card
Recipe Title: Easy brown stew chicken recipe for dinner
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 320 kcal per serving
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on for extra flavor, but boneless works too)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tbsp garlic powder if you’re lazy like me sometimes)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 2 carrots, chopped (optional but nice for extra veggies)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water in a pinch)
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable, olive, whatever you’ve got)
- Salt to taste
Directions:
- Heat the oil in a big pot or deep pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on both sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). Don’t crowd the pan—do it in batches if needed. Set the chicken aside.
- In the same pot, toss in the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrots. Cook for about 3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, thyme, paprika, and black pepper. Stir it all together for like 30 seconds until it smells amazing.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot (that’s flavor right there).
- Add the chicken back in, cover, and let it simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure it’s not drying out—add a splash of water if needed.
- Taste and add salt if you want. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or just eat it straight from the pot (no judgment).
See? Not hard at all. And now you’ve got a cozy, flavorful dinner that’ll make you feel like you actually have your life together (even if you don’t).
Nutrition Info (per serving)
| Calories | Carbs | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320 | 12g | 15g | 28g |
Ingredient Swaps
| Ingredient | Substitution |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | Chicken breasts or drumsticks |
| Soy sauce | Coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce |
| Brown sugar | Honey or maple syrup |
| Bell pepper | Zucchini or mushrooms |
Tips
- Don’t skip browning the chicken first—it adds so much flavor. But if you’re in a rush, just throw it all in and pray. It’ll still taste good.
- If the stew is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it in at the end. Let it simmer for a couple minutes to thicken.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day. The flavors get all cozy together overnight.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yep! Brown the chicken first if you can, then dump everything in and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4.
Q: What if I don’t have chicken broth?
A: Water works fine, or use bouillon cubes if you have them. The soy sauce adds plenty of flavor.
Q: Is this spicy?
A: Nope! But if you want heat, add some cayenne or a chopped jalapeño when you cook the veggies.
That’s it! Easy brown stew chicken for the win. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a hug in a bowl, and honestly, who doesn’t need that sometimes? Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
