Creamy Chicken Stew – Easy Stovetop, Crock Pot & Instant Pot Recipe

Creamy Chicken Stew is a cozy, hearty meal made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, green beans, and a rich creamy sauce. This easy chicken stew can be prepared on the stovetop, in a Crock Pot, or in an Instant Pot, making it flexible for different cooking schedules. The combination of cream of chicken soup, whole milk, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and Ranch seasoning creates a comforting, savory base that works beautifully on its own or served over biscuits.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Methods: Stovetop, Crock Pot, or Instant Pot

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Three cooking options: Choose the stovetop, Crock Pot, or Instant Pot method.
• Hearty ingredients: Chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and green beans make this a satisfying meal.
• Creamy and savory: Cream of chicken soup, whole milk, sour cream, and Ranch seasoning create a rich sauce.
• Great with biscuits: Serve the finished stew over biscuits for an especially cozy meal.
• Flexible timing: Use the stovetop when you need dinner sooner or the Crock Pot for slow cooking.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt/Pepper
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup baby carrots
• ½ cup celery, diced
• ¾ cup green beans, fresh or frozen
• 2 large red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 oz. Ranch seasoning mix

For the Instant Pot: 1 cup chicken broth is also needed.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Stew

Stovetop Method

1. Melt the butter: Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat.
2. Cook the chicken: Season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add it to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes, until nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Cook the vegetables: Add the olive oil and vegetables to the pot. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, until softened.
4. Add the creamy mixture: Combine the cream of chicken soup, whole milk, sour cream, and Ranch seasoning. Add the mixture to the pot and stir until well combined. Return the chicken to the pot.
5. Simmer: Let the stew simmer for about 25 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are fork tender.
6. Serve: Serve as is or, optionally, over biscuits.

Crock Pot Method

1. Season the chicken: Season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Add everything to the Crock Pot: Melt the butter on the bottom of the Crock Pot. Add the olive oil, vegetables, and chicken. Stir to coat.
3. Add the creamy mixture: Mix together the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and Ranch seasoning. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours. The recipe notes that low and slow cooking is best when working with milk and dairy products.
5. Serve: Serve as is or optionally over biscuits.

Instant Pot Method

1. Sauté the vegetables: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the butter, olive oil, and vegetables. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the broth: Add 1 cup chicken broth and scrape up any bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
3. Add the chicken: Season the cubed chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add it to the pot.
4. Pressure cook: Place the lid on the pot and make sure the pressure release valve is sealed. Press Cancel, then Pressure Cook, and set the timer for 8 minutes. When the cooking time ends, flip the quick-release valve.
5. Add the creamy ingredients: Open the lid and switch back to Sauté mode. Combine the cream of chicken soup and Ranch seasoning. Add half of the milk and half of the sour cream.
6. Finish the stew: Let the stew simmer for about 5 minutes, then serve.

Note: Only add the additional ½ cup of milk and sour cream if you prefer more broth.

Important Cooking Tips

• Use whole milk: The recipe specifically calls for whole milk rather than low-fat milk.
• Keep dairy at room temperature: The sour cream should be at room temperature before adding it to the stew.
• Cook dairy gently: The notes recommend low and slow cooking for the Crock Pot method because the higher fat content of whole milk helps reduce the possibility of curdling.
• Cut potatoes evenly: Cutting the red potatoes into 1-inch cubes helps them cook consistently.
• Scrape the Instant Pot: After adding the chicken broth, scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom before pressure cooking.

Simple Variations

• Stovetop: Use this method when you want the stew ready in about 55 minutes total.
• Crock Pot: Choose the 6–8 hour LOW method for a slower cooking option.
• Instant Pot: Use the pressure-cooking method when you prefer an electric pressure cooker.

Serving Ideas

Creamy Chicken Stew can be served:

• Over homemade buttermilk biscuits
• With the vegetables and potatoes already in the stew
• In a bowl on its own
• With extra biscuits on the side

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Creamy Chicken Stew in a Crock Pot?

Yes. The recipe includes a Crock Pot method that cooks on LOW for 6–8 hours.

Can I make this stew in an Instant Pot?

Yes. The Instant Pot version uses 1 cup of chicken broth, followed by 8 minutes of pressure cooking.

Why does the recipe call for whole milk?

Whole milk is specifically recommended, especially for the slow cooker version. The higher fat content helps reduce the possibility of the dairy curdling.

Can I serve this stew over biscuits?

Yes. Serving the stew over biscuits is an optional serving suggestion included with the recipe.

How can I make the Instant Pot stew more brothy?

The recipe notes that you can add the additional ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of sour cream if you prefer more broth.

Nutrition

The supplied nutrition information is per serving:

• Calories: 466 kcal
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fat: 26 g
• Fiber: 4 g

Final Thoughts

Creamy Chicken Stew combines tender chicken and hearty vegetables with a rich, savory creamy base. With stovetop, Crock Pot, and Instant Pot instructions, you can choose the cooking method that fits your schedule. Serve it in a bowl on its own or spoon it over biscuits for a comforting dinner that feels especially satisfying on a chilly day.

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