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Home » Meal » Dinner

Published: Oct 23, 2022 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

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A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew is shown with the words Instant Pot Chicken Stew and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew combines tender shredded chicken thighs, vegetables, and thyme for a simple, warming, delicious dinner that comes together in under an hour, almost all of which is hands-off time in the Instant Pot.

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A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with a red linen on a white marble counter.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Dish
  • What You'll Need
  • How to Prepare Instant Pot Chicken Stew
  • Variations
  • How to Store
  • FAQ
  • How to Serve
  • Expert Tips
  • Other Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Dish

There’s nothing I love more than a warm soup or stew on a cold night, and this Instant Pot chicken thigh stew can’t be beat. 

Making chicken stew in the Instant Pot allows you to produce tender meat and vegetables with a depth of flavor that would only be possible in many hours on the stovetop. 

The rich chicken thigh meat, sweet carrots, earthy celery, filling and creamy potatoes, savory onions and garlic, and woodsy, floral thyme create a balanced and comforting flavor profile that the whole family will love.

The labeled ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Stew are shown on a white marble counter.

What You'll Need

Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

  • Chicken Thighs You could also use chicken breasts here, but I strongly prefer the flavor imparted by the darker, more tender meat of the thighs.
  • Chicken Broth I used a regular, boxed chicken broth, but making your own broth or stock would be delicious here. You could also use bouillon.
  • Carrots You can also use baby carrots here if you prefer.
  • Celery
  • Potatoes I use russet potatoes in this recipe, but you could get away with using a variety of baby potato as well.
  • Onion I like using a yellow onion here. A sweet onion would work well, too.
  • Garlic Fresh garlic adds a lot of flavor to this dish. If you don’t have access to fresh garlic, you could try some of this jarred garlic or use a bit of garlic powder. 
  • Thyme I used dried thyme here as I always have it on hand, but you could use fresh thyme, dried or fresh rosemary, or something like Herbs de Provence.
  • Salt My preference is always kosher salt. Diamond Crystal is my brand of choice. It coats food evenly and has a lower salinity per teaspoon than other brands of salts, which makes it easier to taste as you go and harder to oversalt.
  • Black Pepper I recommend a few cracks of good black pepper.
  • Olive Oil a nice olive oil is always great, but you won't notice the difference if you have a less expensive olive oil on hand.
  • Red Wine Vinegar Just a splash of red wine vinegar livens up the whole dish.

How to Prepare Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Step One Turn Instant Pot on sauté mode. After heating for a few minutes, add the olive oil.

Step Two: Pat the chicken dry and season well with salt and pepper.

Chicken is patted dry with a paper towel.

Step Three: Brown the chicken thighs on both sides and transfer to a plate.

Chicken is browned in the Instant Pot.
Browned chicken sits on a white plate.

Step Four: Add the vegetables, onion, and garlic, season with thyme and salt, and let cook for a few minutes, stirring often. Scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any browned bits of chicken.

Sliced carrots, celery, chopped onions and garlic, olive oil, and thyme are shown in the instant pot, stirred with a wooden spoon.

Step Five Add the chicken back into the pot. Add the broth and the flour. Whisk the flour until well combined. 

Broth is added to the stew.
Flour is added to the stew ingredients.

Step Six Secure the instant pot lid. Select the soup setting for 30 minutes.

Step Seven Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, release the pressure with the instant release method. Be careful to stay away from the hot steam.

Step Eight Carefully remove the chicken from the broth, place on a cutting board, and shred using two forks. Add the chicken back to the stew.

Chicken thighs are shredded with two forks.

Step Nine Stir in the red wine vinegar, top with fresh herbs if you’d like, and serve.

A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with a red linen on a white marble counter.

Variations

Stovetop You can make this stew on the stovetop as well. Brown the chicken, then sweat the vegetables, onions, and garlic, add the flour, broth, and seasonings, then bring up to a boil and down to a simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.

Creamy Replace one cup of broth with one cup of cream. 

Different Herbs Try using rosemary or Herbs de Provence in place of thyme.

Fresh Herbs Garnish the stew with soft fresh herbs like parsley or basil once it is finished.

How to Store

Fridge Pressure cooker chicken stew can be stored for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Freezer Place stew in an airtight container, leaving a little bit of room for it to expand. I like to use gallon storage bags. Stew can be cooled, then frozen for about 3 months.

Reheating From the fridge, reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium-low to medium heat. Bring up to a boil and then down to a simmer. You can also reheat in the microwave for a few minutes.

From frozen, defrost in the fridge overnight, then follow the directions above.

FAQ

How long does chicken take in the Instant Pot?

For this recipe, we recommend using the soup setting for 30 minutes for perfectly cooked, tender chicken thighs.

Can I cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot?

You can. For this recipe, skip browning the chicken and simply add the frozen chicken along with the broth. Be sure to separate the pieces. The Instant Pot will take a little bit longer to come up to pressure with frozen thighs.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Definitely! You can prepare this up to three days in advance, then reheat on the stove when ready to serve.

Can I freeze this dish?

Absolutely. This stew can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Sure. While I recommend thighs for their taste and texture, chicken breasts will work as well. Cook a few minutes less, as they will cook more quickly and is more likely to dry out.

How to Serve

This Instant Pot chicken stew with potatoes is a meal unto itself. Below are some suggestions for toppings and sides that complement the dish nicely.

Toast Try making this Air Fryer Toast recipe, which also includes instructions for crostini and croutons!

Salad Serve with a side of salad, like this tasty Kale Caesar Salad.

Pesto Serve a little dollop of this Almond Pesto on top of your soup for a delicious, fresh pop of flavor.

Hot Sauce Add a dash of hot sauce to this stew for a little heat! This Pineapple Habanero Sauce recipe is my personal favorite.

Looking for a recipe using whole chicken? Try this Instant Pot Chicken Soup.

Expert Tips

  • Do your chicken thighs always stick when browning? Be sure to let the Instant Pot come up to heat for several minutes before adding the oil, and let the chicken release on its own when flipping.
  • You can cool down your stew quickly for storage by filling your sink with a few inches of ice water, transferring your stew to a metal or ceramic bowl, and then placing that container in the ice water, being careful not to let any water in.
  • Freeze your stew in individual portions for an easy midweek meal.

Other Recipes You'll Love

If you're in the mood for more soup recipes, try these:

Chicken and Cabbage Soup

Greek Chickpea Soup

Chicken Pastina Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

📖 Recipe

A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with a red linen on a white marble counter.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew combines tender shredded chicken thighs, vegetables, and thyme for a simple, warming, delicious dinner that comes together in under an hour!
5 from 29 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy Recipe, Easy Weeknight Meal, Easy Weeknight Recipe, Instant Pot Recipes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Calories: 378kcal
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Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Cutting Board
  • Kitchen Knife

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 russet potatoes small, or 1 large, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 carrots large, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 stalks celery cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • kosher salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar optional, but recommended

Instructions

  • Turn the instant pot on sauté mode. Let heat for a few minutes. Add the olive oil.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season will with salt and pepper.
  • Brown the chicken thighs on both sides. Remove and set aside.
  • Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, potatoes, salt, and thyme.
  • Add the chicken back to the pot. Add the broth and the flour. Whisk until well combined.
  • Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to soup mode for 30 minutes.
  • Use the instant release method to allow the steam to escape.
  • Carefully remove the chicken from the broth and shred with two forks. Add the chicken back to the broth, stir in the red wine vinegar, taste for seasoning, and serve.

Notes

  1. Stew can be stored for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
  2. To freeze, place stew in an airtight container, leaving a little bit of room for it to expand. I like to use gallon storage bags. Stew can be cooled, then frozen for about 3 months.
  3. To reheat from the fridge, reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium-low to medium heat. Bring up to a boil and then down to a simmer.
  4. From frozen, defrost in the fridge overnight, then follow the directions above.
  5. Be sure to let the Instant Pot come up to heat for several minutes before adding the oil, and let the chicken release on its own when flipping.
  6. You can cool down your stew quickly for storage by filling your sink with ice water, transferring your stew to a metal or ceramic bowl, and then placing that container in the ice water, being careful not to let any water in.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 1180mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5245IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    October 24, 2022 at 9:22 am

    5 stars
    My family really enjoyed the stew and asked me to make it again soon.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:58 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    October 24, 2022 at 9:56 am

    5 stars
    My grandma used to make chicken stew, and I never could replicate her recipe though I tried a million times. I'm always happy to find a new recipe for it so that I can try again! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Tara says

    October 24, 2022 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    You had me at under an hour! Such a flavorful and comforting recipe. So perfect and easy for the cooler months.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:58 am

      Thanks Tara!

      Reply
  4. Tayler says

    October 24, 2022 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner last night and my whole family devoured it. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      Thanks Tayler! Happy to hear it!

      Reply
  5. Elizabeth says

    October 24, 2022 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    Nothing better than warm soup on a cold night. I love your detailed directions and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      Thanks Elizabeth! So happy you liked it.

      Reply
  6. Heidi says

    October 24, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    This was perfect for a cool fall night. I loved how quickly it came together in my instant pot! I will definitely make it again.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      Yay! Thanks Heidi!

      Reply
  7. MacKenzie says

    October 24, 2022 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken stew is the best I have made. The combination of flavors is so comforting and delicious.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      What a lovely compliment! Thank you, MacKenzie.

      Reply
  8. Journa Liz Ramirez says

    October 25, 2022 at 2:40 am

    5 stars
    This instant recipe turned out to be hearty and delicious! I'm glad it is also very easy to make. Thanks Gen for sharing this wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      You're so welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  9. Allyssa says

    October 25, 2022 at 5:07 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is really amazing! Perfect for any occasion! Thanks a bunch for this very delicious chicken strew recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:56 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Jenn says

    October 25, 2022 at 5:58 am

    5 stars
    Stews save my butt in the evening and this one in the IP is delish! SO many great flavors - we all loved it!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:56 am

      Yay! Thanks Jenn.

      Reply
  11. Rebekah Kuk says

    October 25, 2022 at 6:56 am

    5 stars
    I always love a good Instant Pot recipe, and this one is no exception. With the weather getting cooler, I'm looking for more soup recipes, and this one has the double advantage of being warming and helping to stave off colds. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:56 am

      Thank you very much, Rebekah!

      Reply
  12. Melodie says

    November 11, 2022 at 11:42 am

    If you used fresh thyme how much and how long to cook?And what if you only had frozen chicken thighs?Would they have to completely thaw first?
    If you wanted to change it up you could add cream,milk or half n half.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 11, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Melodie!

      Thanks for taking time to check out this recipe. With fresh thyme, I would add a few sprigs, then remove the stems at the end. You would cook the stew for the same amount of time as with dried herbs. Frozen chicken thighs will work here. If using frozen, skip the browning step. You can put them in without thawing - it will just take a bit longer for your Instant Pot to come up to pressure. And yes! Adding some dairy here would be a very nice addition.

      I hope this is helpful!

      Reply
  13. Kathryn says

    November 26, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    5 stars
    I love how easy this recipe is -- and especially how you can use dried thyme when you don't have fresh herbs on hand. Works wonders!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      November 28, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kathryn! Thank you.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a certified professional cook, lifelong recipe creator, writer, editor, and food lover. I use my culinary knowledge to teach you how to utilize your ingredients and equipment to their fullest potential, turning ordinary meals into something exciting with bold, fresh, innovative ideas and flavors.

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