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Weeknight • Chicken

Cozy Chicken and Wild Rice Stew

A hearty and comforting stew with tender chicken, chewy wild rice, and an abundance of colorful vegetables.

Prep
15 min
Cook
40 min
Servings
6
Level
Weeknight
Cozy Chicken and Wild Rice Stew

When the craving for something warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying hits, this Cozy Chicken and Wild Rice Stew is the answer. It’s a wholesome, flavorful dish that comes together with ease, filling your home with an aroma that signals pure comfort.

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (check package for specific cook times, adjust broth if needed)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for richness)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with 1/2 tsp thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to the pot and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and remaining 1/2 tsp thyme, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the wild rice blend. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or according to wild rice package directions until rice is mostly tender.

  4. Step 4

    Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in heavy cream (if using). Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is heated through and rice is fully tender, and the stew has slightly thickened.

  5. Step 5

    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Tips

  • A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors of the stew.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or frozen peas during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • This stew is even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping.

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