Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 small onion (diced); 2 large carrots (chopped); 1 stalk celery (chopped); 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes); 3 red potatoes (peeled and cubed); 2 cups low sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; 2 bay leaves; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 cup water; 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Make this comforting Instant Pot Chicken Stew in your pressure cooker for an easy dinner that everyone loves! This meal is made with fresh ingredients and makes great leftovers. Stove top instructions included.

Besides this Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe, some of our other pressure cooker favorites include Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, Instant Pot Chili, Instant Pot Mexican Rice, and Instant Pot Applesauce.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes for Instant Pot Chicken Stew
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Cooking Tips for Stew
Stove Top Instructions
FAQ
Storing and Reheating
Other Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

A chicken stew is similar to a chicken soup, in that it has protein, vegetables and a starch. A stew has a thicker broth, almost like a gravy, making it heartier, stick to your ribs comfort food.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew is:

Thick and rich, hearty comfort food that warms you up quick on a cool night.
Full of hearty protein and veggies.
Ready in about half an hour. Just 10 minutes of prep, 25 minutes of cook time and dinner is ready.

Ingredient Notes for Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Chicken – Boneless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs work best.
Vegetables – Use a mix of onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. You can substitute sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, diced tomatoes or corn.
Dried Herbs – If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use ¼ teaspoon each of rosemary, basil, thyme, and oregano. I also use a couple of bay leaves. Fresh herbs, like rosemary and thyme, would be great, too.
Chicken stock or broth – You can substitute with vegetable broth, but the flavor may be different.
Cornstarch – You can use arrowroot instead.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Preheat the Instant Pot.
Melt butter and add vegetables. Season with salt and pepper and saute until vegetables are tender.
Add garlic, and cook for a moment, then press cancel. Add the chicken, potatoes, broth and seasonings. Stir well.
Cook on manual pressure for 10 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes and release the rest manually using the pressure valve.
Combine cornstarch and water and set aside.
Remove the lid, press saute, and add the cornstarch slurry. Simmer for several minutes until the stew has thickened.
Serve immediately.

raw ingredients for chicken stew cooking in the instant pot

Cooking Tips for Stew

Prep and chop the ingredients in advance to save time.
Add more or less seasoning to suit your taste.
For more of a soup consistency, omit the cornstarch.

Stove Top Instructions

Heat a large soup pot on the stove and add some butter or olive oil. Brown the chicken for several minutes over a medium-high heat. Transfer to a plate.
Add the vegetables and saute for 3-5 minutes or until softened. Season with salt and pepper. Add Italian seasoning, bay leaves and garlic, and saute for another minute.
Add the potatoes, chicken and chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
Mix the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl then add to the pot. Stir well, cover and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken.
Add more seasoning as needed and serve immediately.

FAQ

How do you add flavor to chicken stew?

Add flavor to the stew with a dried seasoning like Italian seasoning, which is a mix of oregano, basil, marjoram, and thyme. You can also use the individual seasonings with salt and pepper for more flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end will give a nice acidic balance to the broth.

How do you thicken chicken stew?

I thicken my instant pot chicken stew by adding a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with half a cup of water or use broth from the cooked stew, making sure there are no lumps. Stir the slurry into the stew and simmer (using the saute function until it thickens slightly. It will thicken more as it sits.

Can you put raw chicken in the Instant Pot?

As long as you are cooking the chicken at high pressure for at least 8 minutes, you can start with raw chicken in the instant pot.

Storing and Reheating

How to Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: This chicken stew freezes exceptionally well. Transfer the soup to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 6 months.

Reheating: Reheat from the fridge using a saucepan on the stove top or in the microwave. If frozen, thaw overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

chicken stew in a white bowl on a table next to an instant pot

Other Instant Pot Recipes

This stew is a classic comforting dish that anyone can make. It’s perfect on a cold fall day and it’s also a great option to bring to new parents or a friend in need of a warm dinner. Try it and let us know what you think!

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