Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Introduction

Nothing beats the comfort of a warm, hearty stew—especially one that comes together in a fraction of the time thanks to your Instant Pot. This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is the perfect answer for busy weeknights or when you need a nourishing meal with minimal fuss. Tender chicken, healthy vegetables, and aromatic herbs meld together for a deeply flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish the whole family will love.

Why This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a Winner

What sets this chicken stew apart is its simplicity and speed, without sacrificing those slow-cooked, layered flavors. The Instant Pot effortlessly transforms basic ingredients into a cozy, rich meal—and cleans up easily, too. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable: swap veggies, adjust seasonings, or add your favorite beans for a stew that’s always fresh.

Building Flavor in One Pot

Sautéing aromatics directly in the Instant Pot adds a beautiful depth of flavor to your stew. By browning the chicken first and deglazing with broth, each ingredient infuses the whole dish, delivering that “cooked all day” taste in under an hour. Fresh thyme, bay leaf, and a touch of tomato paste bring brightness and body, making this a stew that tastes like comfort with every spoonful.

How to Master Your Chicken Stew in the Instant Pot

Start by using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum tenderness (though chicken breast works in a pinch). Let the Instant Pot do the heavy lifting while you simply layer in chopped carrots, potatoes, and celery. Natural release at the end ensures moist, pull-apart chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables. Stir in a handful of peas at the end for a pop of color and sweetness.

Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Ladle the stew into deep bowls and top with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Serve with crusty bread or warm biscuits for dunking, and pair with a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. It’s hearty enough for lunch leftovers or can be frozen for make-ahead dinners on your busiest weeks.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each portion provides a balanced mix of lean protein, fiber-rich veggies, and essential nutrients, averaging roughly 350 calories per serving. It’s a naturally gluten-free, wholesome option for anyone looking to nourish and satisfy.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew—Fast, Flavorful, and Foolproof (Recap)

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew proves comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With its robust flavor, easy ingredients, and set-and-forget cooking method, it’s destined to become a go-to for family dinners and meal prep alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and simplifying your weekly meal planning!

Instructions

1. Select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot. Add olive oil and diced onion; cook for 2–3 minutes until onions are soft. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; sauté for 1 minute.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3 minutes (it doesn’t need to be cooked through).
3. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and give everything a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
4. Seal the Instant Pot lid. Cook on Manual/High Pressure for 10 minutes. When the timer ends, allow a 10-minute natural release, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Open the lid, remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Stir in the frozen peas. Let sit for 2–3 minutes until peas are heated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is ideal for weekly meal prep—make a big batch and enjoy easy, nutritious lunches or dinners all week. Save and schedule this recipe to generate a comprehensive, organized shopping list and seamlessly plan when to cook and serve.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient amounts across all planned recipes
– Sorts shopping lists by store section for quick, efficient grocery runs
– Avoids duplicate purchases, lowering your food bill and kitchen clutter
– Makes batch cooking and meal prep a breeze

Pro tip: Schedule all your weekly meals and let CookifyAI update ingredient totals—never forget potatoes or celery again when prepping multiple recipes!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes