How To Stew Chicken On Stove Top

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Storables.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)

Introduction

Welcome to our guide on how to stew chicken on the stovetop. Stewing is a cooking method that involves slow-cooking meat or poultry in a flavorful liquid, resulting in tender and juicy meat. This technique is perfect for chicken, as it helps to infuse the meat with delicious flavors while keeping it moist and succulent.

Stewing chicken on the stovetop is a convenient and straightforward process that can be done with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, this article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to stew chicken to perfection.

Not only is stewed chicken a delicious and versatile dish, but it can also be a cost-effective option, as you can use economical cuts of chicken for stewing. Plus, the slow cooking process allows you to develop rich flavors and tenderize tougher cuts of meat, making it a great way to turn inexpensive chicken into a flavorful and satisfying meal.

In this guide, we will walk you through the entire process, from gathering the ingredients to serving the finished stewed chicken. So let’s get started on this culinary adventure!

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients

Before you begin stewing chicken on the stovetop, it’s essential to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken: Choose your preferred cuts of chicken for stewing. You can opt for bone-in chicken pieces, such as thighs, drumsticks, or a whole chicken cut into parts, or boneless chicken pieces.
• Vegetables: Add flavor and texture to your stewed chicken with vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. These aromatics will infuse your chicken with delicious flavors.
• Herbs and Spices: Enhance the taste of your stewed chicken by adding herbs and spices. Popular choices include bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Liquid: Stewing requires a liquid base to cook the chicken. You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or a combination of broth and water for added depth of flavor.
• Optional Ingredients: Depending on your preference, you can include additional ingredients like potatoes, mushrooms, peas, or bell peppers to customize your stewed chicken.

Make sure all the ingredients are fresh and of high quality for the best results. Having everything prepared and ready before you start cooking will ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to move on to the next step: preparing the chicken for stewing.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to prepare the chicken for stewing. Follow these steps:

1. Trim Excess Fat: Begin by trimming any excess fat from the chicken pieces. This helps reduce greasiness in the stew and ensures a more balanced texture.
2. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper or your preferred seasonings. This step adds flavor to the meat and enhances the overall taste of the stew.
3. Optional: Brown the Chicken (Recommended): For added depth of flavor, you can choose to brown the chicken before stewing. Heat a bit of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken pieces until they develop a golden brown crust. This step adds delicious caramelized flavors to the chicken.

Once the chicken is prepared, set it aside and move on to the next step: preparing the stewing liquid.

Note: If you prefer boneless chicken for stewing, you can skip the trimming and browning steps.

Step 3: Prepare the Stewing Liquid

Now that the chicken is prepared, it’s time to prepare the stewing liquid. The liquid serves as the base for cooking the chicken and infusing it with flavors. Here’s how to prepare the stewing liquid:

1. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot you used to brown the chicken (if applicable), sauté the aromatics such as onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. This step adds depth and richness to the stewing liquid.
2. Add Herbs and Spices: Add in your desired herbs and spices, such as bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir them into the aromatics to release their flavors.
3. Pour in the Liquid: Add the liquid of your choice, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or a combination of both. The liquid should be enough to cover the chicken pieces completely.
4. Bring to a Simmer: Place the chicken back into the pot, ensuring it is fully submerged in the stewing liquid. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Bringing the liquid to a simmer allows the chicken to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in tender and juicy meat. The simmering process also allows the flavors to mingle and develop, resulting in a delicious stewed chicken.

With the stewing liquid prepared and the chicken simmering away, it’s time to move on to the next step: stewing the chicken.

For tender stewed chicken, brown the pieces in a hot pan before adding liquid. This will help seal in the juices and add flavor to the dish.

Step 4: Stew the Chicken

With the stewing liquid prepared and the chicken in the pot, it’s time to start the stewing process. Follow these steps to stew the chicken to perfection:

1. Cover the Pot: Place a lid on the pot, ensuring it fits securely. This helps to trap the heat and moisture, allowing the chicken to cook tenderly and evenly.
2. Reduce the Heat: Reduce the heat to low or medium-low, depending on your stovetop’s heat intensity. The gentle simmering allows the chicken to slowly cook and absorb the flavors from the stewing liquid.
3. Stew the Chicken: Let the chicken simmer in the stewing liquid for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of chicken pieces used.
4. Occasionally Stir: Occasionally stir the stew to prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This also helps to distribute the flavors evenly.

While the chicken is stewing, you’ll notice the aromas filling your kitchen, creating an enticing atmosphere. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.

Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, it’s time to move on to the next step: checking for doneness.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Checking for doneness is a crucial step to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat. Follow these guidelines to check if your stewed chicken is done:

1. Temperature Check: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken pieces. The internal temperature should read at least 165°F (75°C), which indicates that the chicken is fully cooked.
2. Visual Inspection: Cut into a piece of chicken to inspect the color and texture. The meat should be opaque and moist, with no traces of pink or rawness.
3. Tenderness Test: Using a fork or knife, gently press the chicken. If it easily falls apart and is tender, it is cooked and ready to be served.

If the chicken is not cooked through, continue simmering for a few more minutes and repeat the doneness tests until it reaches the desired level of tenderness.

Once the chicken is cooked and deemed done, it’s time to move on to the final step: serving the delicious stewed chicken.

Step 6: Serve the Stewed Chicken

Now that your stewed chicken is beautifully cooked and filled with flavors, it’s time to serve it and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Follow these steps to serve the stewed chicken:

1. Remove the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken pieces from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Place them on a serving platter or individual plates.
2. Strain the Stewing Liquid (Optional): If desired, strain the stewing liquid to remove any solids such as vegetables and herbs. This step is optional but can result in a smoother gravy-like sauce.
3. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can return the strained liquid to the stovetop and simmer it over medium heat until it reduces and thickens slightly. This will create a luscious sauce to accompany the chicken.
4. Serve with Sides: Serve the stewed chicken with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables. These accompaniments will complete the meal and complement the flavors of the chicken.
5. Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish the stewed chicken with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, for a pop of color and added freshness. Then, dig in and savor the comforting and tender goodness of the stewed chicken.

Serving the stewed chicken with its flavorful sauce and delicious sides will result in a satisfying and hearty meal. Enjoy the amalgamation of textures and flavors that come together in each bite.

Congratulations! You have successfully stewed chicken on the stovetop. Now, sit back, relax, and relish the delightful flavors of your homemade creation.

Conclusion

Stewing chicken on the stovetop is a rewarding and delicious cooking technique that yields tender and flavorful results. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily master the art of stewing chicken and create a comforting and satisfying meal for yourself, your family, or your guests.

From gathering the ingredients to serving the stewed chicken, each step plays a crucial role in developing the flavors and ensuring the chicken is cooked to perfection. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb the rich flavors of the stewing liquid, resulting in a dish that is both succulent and aromatic.

Remember, you can customize your stewed chicken by adding your favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices. This versatile dish can be paired with a variety of sides, allowing you to create a well-rounded and hearty meal.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just beginning your culinary journey, stewing chicken on the stovetop is an accessible and rewarding technique that will impress and delight your taste buds. So don’t hesitate to grab your ingredients, get your pot simmering, and start cooking up a delicious batch of stewed chicken. Enjoy!