Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew: Creamy Comfort Made Easy

Nothing beats the warmth and aroma of a hearty chicken stew simmered to perfection. Our slow cooker white wine chicken stew combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a touch of white wine for a comforting, flavorful dish that’s ideal for weeknight dinners or lazy Sunday meals. Using a slow cooker ensures minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Hands-Off Cooking: Just prep the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.
• Rich Flavor: White wine adds depth, while herbs and vegetables infuse every bite with aromatic richness.
• Comforting & Creamy: A touch of cream or flour-thickened broth makes it satisfying and hearty.

Ingredients

• Protein & Vegetables:
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Liquids & Seasonings:
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Optional Thickener:
  • 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (for added creaminess)
• Garnish:
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Dice vegetables, slice mushrooms, and mince garlic. Season chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Sear Chicken (Optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken thighs 2–3 minutes per side for extra flavor.
3. Load Slow Cooker: Place carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, and garlic in the slow cooker. Top with chicken thighs.
4. Add Liquids & Seasoning: Pour in white wine and chicken broth. Add thyme, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and vegetables are soft.
6. Thicken (Optional): Mix flour or cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to form a slurry. Stir into stew 15–20 minutes before serving. Add cream if desired for extra richness.
7. Serve: Remove bay leaves. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew

Tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables simmered in a white wine and herb broth, perfect for slow cooker comfort meals.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Comfort Food, Dinner

Cuisine: American, French-Inspired

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Protein & Vegetables

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 carrots peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks celery sliced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cups mushrooms sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Liquids & Seasonings

• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp thyme dried or 1 tbsp fresh
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• to taste salt and pepper

Optional Thickener

• 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch mixed with cold water to thicken
• 0.25 cup heavy cream optional

Garnish

• fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Skillet
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Dice vegetables, slice mushrooms, and mince garlic. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Optional: Brown chicken thighs in skillet 2–3 minutes per side for extra flavor.
3. Place carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, and garlic in the slow cooker. Top with chicken.
4. Pour in white wine and chicken broth. Add thyme, bay leaves, and seasonings.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
6. Optional: Mix flour or cornstarch with water to form slurry and stir in 15–20 minutes before serving. Add cream if desired.
7. Remove bay leaves. Garnish with parsley and serve with crusty bread or rice.

Notes

Vegetables like peas or spinach can be added at the end to preserve texture.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Stew

• Avoid Overcooking: Chicken thighs stay juicy longer than breasts, perfect for slow cooking.
• Wine Selection: Use a dry white wine for subtle acidity that balances the stew.
• Veggie Texture: Add delicate vegetables like peas or spinach during the last 30 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Variations

• Herb Twist: Add rosemary or tarragon for a different aromatic profile.
• Creamy Version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or crème fraîche for a richer stew.
• Vegetable Boost: Include potatoes, parsnips, or turnips for more hearty vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the flavorful broth.
• Pair with a side of mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for a complete meal.
• Garnish with fresh herbs to brighten the dish and add visual appeal.

Fun Facts & Cultural Context

• White wine stews are a traditional French-style preparation, known for their rich flavors and tender meats.
• Slow cooking allows flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth of taste that’s hard to achieve with quick stovetop methods.
• Chicken thigh-based stews are preferred for their tenderness and ability to remain juicy over long cooking times.

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

• Calories: 350
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g
• Vitamin A: 25% DV
• Vitamin C: 10% DV