Hearty Italian Style Chicken Stew Recipes

CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy 5 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, and onion. Saute the vegetables until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, basil, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. Add the chicken breasts; press to submerge.
• Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently uncovered until the chicken is almost cooked through, turning the chicken breasts over and stirring the mixture occasionally, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken breasts to a work surface and cool for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Add the kidney beans to the pot and simmer until the liquid has reduced into a stew consistency, about 10 minutes.
• Discard the skin and bones from the chicken breasts. Shred or cut the chicken into bite- size pieces. Return the chicken meat to the stew. Bring the stew just to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the stew into serving bowls and serve with the bread.
• Serving suggestion: crusty bread.

FRENCH PEASANT CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In 4-quart saucepan, mix all ingredients except peas and chicken.
• Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer about 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in peas and chicken. Cover; simmer about 5 minutes or until peas are tender.

HEARTY CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs in the hot oil, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken and add butter, allowing it to melt but not burn. Add carrots, celery, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are soft and onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir flour into the mixture to make a roux with the butter. Allow to cook, stirring, until it darkens a little, 10 to 15 minutes. Slowly add chicken broth while continuing to stir. Add chicken, reduce heat, and let simmer until easily shredded, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot in a bowl or on a plate.