I don’t know what the weather is where you live, but here in the Northwest it is a blustering 34 degrees F. As I look out my window at 9am, my view of the pastures below is obliterated by a veil of blowing snow that appears to be coming down sideways. We’ve had a steady two weeks of very cold days that have not been able to rise above 35 degrees F….and apparently, here we go again.

Chicken Stew w/Pasta & Beans

Weather like this beckons soothing aromas and comfort foods that warm the tummy and the soul. One of our favorite chilly weather meals is chicken stew. Chicken stew is one of those dishes that will satisfy everyone and that can be modified to just about any theme. Before we get into our collection of recipes, let’s talk chicken.

Chicken stew is a dish that typically will cook for an extended period of time. A long cooking time will tenderize the meat and allow the other ingredients to blend to perfection. Because of this, the best parts of the chicken to use for a stew are the thighs. Chicken thighs with the bone-in will hold up to multiple hours of cooking without over-cooking. Chicken thighs with the bone-in are also the most flavorful parts of a chicken, even when trimmed of most of the fat. When using bone-in chicken thighs, we also suggest using skinless thighs. Stewing chicken thighs with the skin will render the skin soft and rather unappealing, even if you brown it first.

South American Chicken Stew

The first step in a great chicken stew is always to brown the chicken well on all sides. The second step is to brown the vegetables. After this, all that is left to do is to add your liquids, (wine, chicken broth, canned tomatoes with juice) and herbs or spices. Nestle the chicken back into the pot and let it cook until the chicken is cooked through, the vegetables are soft and all is combined into a savory splendor!

Here are five scrumptious chicken stew recipes from around the world that we’re sure your whole family will enjoy!

Braised Chicken Thighs with Italian Stew

Braised Chicken Thighs with Italian Stew
Chicken Stew w/Pasta & Beans
Quick Chicken Stew
South American Chicken Stew
Spanish Chicken Stew

- Chef Yvonne

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