You know what? Today seems like the perfect day for a slow cooker stew.
First, I have to admit to you that it’s not actually that cold out here {I know….I know…please don’t hate me – I’ll get my fill when I go to Wisconsin in two weeks} but I know the majority of the country is under snow right now. I feel for you, I really do, but it’s weeks like this that my love for California only deepens. I feel like we sort of deserve this weather right now though for putting up with all the freezing cold days in July when all you guys are running around in shorts and flip flops.
This is a simple belly-warming chicken stew! The “zesty” bit comes from a healthy dose of Stubb’s chicken marinade, as well as tomatoes and spices. This is one of those crock pot recipes where you literally just dump everything in the pot and punch start. No initial browning, mixing, whatever is necessary. Hallelujah!
I’ve been on a real potato kick lately – if this little guy is anything like his dad, potatoes will be his favorite food – and love the chunky bits of them in this stew. Sidenote: right now, nothing sounds as delicious as a big, hot plain baked potato. Who am I?!
I wouldn’t necessarily call this stew spicy, but it definitely has a big kick. If you want less of a kick, maybe scale down to a fourth of a cup of marinade instead of a half cup like the recipe calls. Don’t skimp on the smoked paprika though – it’s the best!
Stay warm out there, friends!
Zesty Crock Pot Chicken and Potato Stew
serves 6
Ingredients:
4 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1″ dice
5 cups chicken broth
1 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes {fire roasted if you can find it}
2 stalks celery, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
1/2 cup Stubb’s Chicken Marinade
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp oregano
2 bay leaves
1 lb chicken thighs
Directions:
Place all ingredients in your crock pot. Turn to low heat and cook for 7-8 hours. After 8 hours, remove the chicken thighs with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Shred meat with two forks then add the shredded meat back into the stew. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Time:
Active time ~ 10 minutes
Total time ~ 8 hours
Averie @ Averie Cooks
January 7, 2014 at 3:48 amSet it and forget it is always a good plan! Great use of the slow cooker and I bet that marinade just adds such great flavor depth!
Caroline L.
January 7, 2014 at 4:11 amI think that this very well might take the cake for the best thing I’ll ever eat…
Ksenija @ With An Open Mind
January 7, 2014 at 4:12 amWhat a great dish to heat one up during these cold winter days. I’ve been searching for soup recipes to make for myself over the next weeks and this one just made it on the list. Thanks!
Tina@GottaRunNow
January 7, 2014 at 4:21 amSounds like such an easy meal for warming us up on a cold day!
Madison
January 7, 2014 at 4:23 amI love chicken thighs and haven’t thought of adding them to soups–that ups the deliciousness factor even more. Thanks for sharing!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
January 7, 2014 at 4:40 amOh yes, I’ll take a huge pot of this please!! Today here in my little corner of Ontario Canada, the Weather Network says that with windchill, it feels like -40. Not cool! I was in Palm Springs over Christmas, and yes, you guys are truly blessed down there in California. I wish I could stay home to make a huge batch of this and curl up with a blanket on the couch! 🙂
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun
January 7, 2014 at 5:28 amThis looks great and perfect for this freezing cold temperatures we have!
Kristin
January 7, 2014 at 5:29 amThis is exactly what I want for dinner tonight!
Laura
January 7, 2014 at 5:34 amwith this weather my diet has consisted of big, hot bowls of soup. i need some variety in my life so tonight it shall be stew!
Kelsey @aslolife
January 7, 2014 at 5:51 amI was back in California visiting family last week and man, do I miss it now in these negative temps! This looks perfect to combat these chilly days!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
January 7, 2014 at 5:52 amGenius to use the Stubb’s! I can’t wait to play around with different recipes using this idea. Also, I hope you have a great time in WI! I can’t lie–it is FREEZING here right now, but the state does have some redeeming qualities (cheese anyone? 🙂 )
Danny Lake
January 7, 2014 at 5:56 amLooks amazingly delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Might consider making it today! =)
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
January 7, 2014 at 5:57 amYou had me at dump it and forget it. But then I read “smoked paprika” and I am definitely all in. This looks perfect for this crazy weather!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
January 7, 2014 at 6:09 amIt’s in the negative numbers on the east coast. I kind of wish I lived in CA, but I guess soup will have to do. This really looks like a wonderful and hearty stew. Love!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
January 7, 2014 at 6:11 amI love the use of sweet potatoes in this! Pinning this recipe right away 🙂
Camille @ Challenge Mantra
January 7, 2014 at 6:25 amThere’s a man with a hook for a hand at my Saturday farmer’s market (Calabasas/Woodland Hills) that sells chicken rubs and marinades, and for a second I thought I already had the Stubb’s marinade on hand. (It’s so hard to not buy from that guy when he is passing out samples!!) No dice though. Do you suppose any marinade or even an italian dressing could do?
I moved to SoCal from Washington DC a few years ago and the year-round gorgeous weather is a major reason why I’ve been so happy here 🙂
Katie
January 7, 2014 at 6:28 amWe are currently experiences -30 degree wind chill temps in Cincinnati…I’d love to curl up on my couch with a bowl of this! What would you recommend as a substitute for the chicken marinade? Thanks so much!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
January 7, 2014 at 6:28 amThis looks delicious! Perfect for our freezing cold weather here.
erin @hooleywithaz
January 7, 2014 at 6:30 ami’ve needed a good slowcooker soup recipe! it is literally the coldest place in the world (and maybe mars) here right now…-50 windchill yesterday made today’s -20 windchill feel balmy, so i need some of this in my life.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
January 7, 2014 at 6:40 amThis stew looks so good! And absolutely perfect for this cold snap!
Katie sB
January 7, 2014 at 7:58 amI get so excited about these recipes but then I find out I have to have Stubbs to cook it and I can’t find it. Is three any spices/sauces I could substitute?
Katie sB
January 7, 2014 at 7:58 amThere*
jenna
January 7, 2014 at 8:09 amI’ve developed these recipes specifically for Stubb’s, hence the addition of their product as a main ingredient. I haven’t tested it any other way but you could probably just omit it all together and add some other spices (red pepper / garlic salt / ect) if you can’t find Stubb’s close to you. I’ve found their products in all supermarkets though!
Emily @ Life on Food
January 7, 2014 at 8:04 amI am definitely in the cold zone and need this stew. It looks amazing! I won’t hate California either if you keep sharing recipes like this.
Jenna
January 7, 2014 at 8:12 amYum! This sounds fantastic!
Liz S.
January 7, 2014 at 8:37 amIt’s NEGATIVE 9°F here today, so this soup sounds especially perfect.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
January 7, 2014 at 9:02 amLooks delicious. I’m looking forward to using my slow cooker much more during the rest of the (very cold and very snowy) winter!
Laura
January 7, 2014 at 9:02 amThis looks delicious! I don’t know if we have Stubbs in our area… the ingredient list looks relatively clean for BBQ sauce! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
January 7, 2014 at 9:12 amThis looks like perfection!!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
January 7, 2014 at 11:32 amI am adding this to my list of dinners to make for my boyfriend for the week. I can relate to your weather, I live in Scottsdale, Arizona and it is currently 75 degrees outside. Not bad 😉
Kate
January 7, 2014 at 12:09 pmI feel warmer just reading about this stew. Thanks for the easy-to-make-and-delicious-to-boot recipe!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
January 7, 2014 at 1:38 pmIt’s freeeeezing in NY, and this soup would definitely help warm the belly. And the soul— the flavors must be marvelous! Thanks for sharing this!
Hooray potatoes! 🙂
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal
January 7, 2014 at 3:09 pmI’m diggin’ this recipe. I love Crock Pot recipes in general but this sounds especially good 🙂
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists
January 7, 2014 at 3:32 pmI’m oh so excited about this soup! I love anything that includes potatoes and and is made in a slow cooker! Thanks
Bryony @ Friday Night Dinners -- PDX
January 7, 2014 at 5:17 pmThis looks great! I’ll have to get someone to make it for me as I recover from my knee surgery. It totally has medicinal properties, right?!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen
January 7, 2014 at 6:53 pmI actually went out for a run in SHORTS today! My poor husband is in Chicago in -15 degree weather, and I am outside in shorts. hahaha. But I would still LOVE some of this delicious stew!
Lindsay McAlester
January 7, 2014 at 9:31 pmMmmmmm! This looks so good and I cannot wait to make it! It’s a shame I’m reading this at night when I’m trying not to snack. 🙁 I think I’m drooling.
Jasline @ Foodie Baker
January 7, 2014 at 11:26 pmThis looks amazing and so delicious! Now I just wish someone will give me a crock pot… :p
Jenny B
January 8, 2014 at 8:42 pmWow, this looks delicious!! I wish I had found this recipe two days ago when it was 20 below here in Chicago. Totally drool-worthy!
Now I have to see if I can find me some Stubb’s.
ARPL
January 9, 2014 at 8:13 amSo, this is crock-potting at home while I am at work. I suspect the broth will be thin rather than thick like a typical stew sauce. Think I can successfully thicken a bit? My husband will grumble at “soup” for supper but be delighted by “stew”.
jenna
January 9, 2014 at 8:54 amWhen you shred the chicken and put it back in the stew will be much thicker! If you want even thicker stew, at the very end mix together about two tsp cornstarch with a little water and drizzle it in. Cook on high for another 30 minutes. This will thicken it up as well.
Corina
January 9, 2014 at 9:14 amI love how easy this is. This is just the type of meal to make when you don’t have much time but know you’ll want to eat something homemade later.
Charlotte
January 9, 2014 at 5:09 pmThis was such a great soup! I made it last night & loved it! It couldn’t be any easier & the Stubb’s marinade adds such a good flavor. So much tastier than typical chicken soup. Any other good recipes using this marinade? I will definitely be making this again…perfect for cold winter nights!
Christy
January 10, 2014 at 9:30 pmCan you use frozen veggies?
jenna
January 13, 2014 at 7:42 amI’d use fresh for this since they are cooked for so long – you don’t want them to get mushy!
Caity
January 13, 2014 at 10:40 amI made a batch of this just for my boyfriend – he asked me to make him something he could eat for lunch for the week. It ended up SO good that I’m making a second batch today just for me! Our fridge is going to be packed with tupperware 🙂
I tried to find the recipe in your ‘recipe index’ but couldn’t find it there. Do you still update your index with new recipes you post?
jenna
January 13, 2014 at 3:52 pmI do! I just haven’t had a chance to get that one in there yet. I update it every few weeks with all the new recipes. Glad you were still able to find and make this!
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January 14, 2014 at 4:32 am[…] and I were getting drinks with our cousin on Sunday evening. I got the crock pot recipe from Eat, Live, Run and was happy with how easy it was to prepare. Are all crock pot meals as easy as cutting things up […]
Julie
January 14, 2014 at 5:48 pmI made this for dinner yesterday and it was awesome! I will definitely be making this again… and again.
Erin
January 15, 2014 at 1:37 pmI can’t seem to find the Stubbs “chicken marinade” anywhere. Would the soup still taste decent if i just used Stubbs “BBQ sauce” instead? Or what would be a good substitute for the marinade?
dave
January 19, 2014 at 3:30 pmlove your site. this one was a bit too soupy for me.. think less chicken broth would have been ideal. seemed more like soup at the end. also not sure if tomatoes added a lot… but ill make nay slow cooker recipe you put up here.. thanks!
Allison
January 21, 2014 at 6:01 amThis looks delicious and perfect for cold nights! Since it’s slow cooked for so long, is it better to use bone in chicken thighs, or would skinless boneless be ok?
jenna
January 21, 2014 at 9:47 amI only tested this recipe with the thighs but I’m sure chicken breasts would work as well. They just tend to be a bit dryer so you might not need to cook the stew as long – just keep an eye on it.
Meredith
January 21, 2014 at 5:20 pmI made this today because it sounded perfect for this snowstorm here in DC. I subbed sweet potatoes for potatoes and omitted oregano. It was delicious, thank you! The leftovers will be keeping me warm for days:)
Meredith
January 21, 2014 at 5:21 pmOh and I used boneless skinless chicken breast and it was great!
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January 22, 2014 at 9:42 am[…] source […]
Lauren
January 27, 2014 at 7:22 pmOk, this might be my new favorite recipe from you!! I made your homemade broth in the crock pot last night, then strained that and used it in this stew, so it was just fantastic. I didn’t have fire roasted crushed tomatoes so I just used regular and added in a few shakes of cayenne pepper. I also added more carrots because my toddler loves them and of course, she asked for “more carrots, please.” Thank you, Jenna, for another wonderful recipe!
Colleen
April 25, 2017 at 12:23 pmHi Jenna
My husband bought chicken thighs that are boneless and skinless! I usually use on the bone . How can I adjust the cook time ? Thanks