Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 1 hour (including time to pressurize and pressure-release)
METHOD: Instant Pot
OTHER TOOLS: knife and cutting board
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 10

A warm bowl of Creamy Chicken Stew made right in the Instant Pot is the perfect ending to a busy day! With no canned ingredients, this hearty stew is made from scratch in one pot, with minimal prep and cleanup. Enjoy a cozy, homestyle meal loaded with flavorful chicken and vegetables in just minutes!

overhead shot of chicken stew with spoon, blue striped napkin with half eaten bread, instant pot, salt and pepper shakers and another bowl of stew in background

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Want a cozy one-pot meal with chicken, veggies, and broth all in one? Here’s a hearty meal perfect for the end of a busy day, and the cleanup is even simpler!
You’d think this chicken stew simmered on the stovetop for hours – it’s that delicious! Thanks to pressure cooking, it’s quick and easy with no sacrifices on home-cooked flavor.
Chicken stew is a family-friendly dish, featuring mild seasoning and a simple combination of vegetables. Add some toasted bread or a biscuit for dipping, and top with shredded cheese if you like!
This recipe uses freezer staples like green beans for convenience. There’s no need to spend time peeling potatoes; you can also substitute other vegetables if preferred.
Need a dairy-free stew option? Chicken stew is easily adjustable for either a creamy or brothy preference.
You’ll be glad when you have leftovers from this meal! The stew refrigerates and reheats well, making it an easy lunch option throughout the week.

Ingredients Needed

Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Chicken thighs are juicy and tender and hold up well under pressure cooking. The added fat in the darker meat makes them a more flavorful choice than chicken breast.
Baby gold potatoes – Baby gold potatoes are a great option for soups and stews since there is no need to peel the thinner skin. Cut the potatoes in half for just-right texture.
Chopped carrots – Carrots add a rustic, slightly sweet element to the stew. You also don’t need to peel the carrots prior to chopping – simply scrub them well.
Frozen cut green beans – A package of frozen cut green beans saves valuable prep time! These will hold up well in the Instant Pot without becoming too mushy.
Diced yellow onion – Slightly sweet yellow onion adds depth to the stew base.
Garlic, minced – Minced garlic adds a rich flavor and aromatic quality to the stew.
Herb and garlic seasoning – Choose your preferred all-in-one flavor blend as a convenient seasoning option or make your own. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
Chicken broth – Chicken broth creates the base of the savory stew.
Flour – Flour adds thickness to the stew base. Combine it with a few tablespoons of water first to help it blend smoothly into the base. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed.
Heavy cream – Finish off the soup with a rich, decadent element – heavy cream! This adds thickness and makes the broth base wonderfully smooth.

overhead shot of bowls of ingredients to include chicken thighs, chicken broth, potatoes, Green beans, carrots, onions, flour, garlic, seasoning, and cream

How To Make Chicken Stew In The Instant Pot

Add chicken, veggies, seasoning, and broth to the Instant Pot.

overhead shot of chicken, Green beans, potatoes, carrots, onions, seasoning and broth

Seal and set to high pressure for 12 minutes.
Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Remove the chicken, shred it, and then return it to the pot.

white plate with shredded cooked chicken and two forks

overhead shot of cooked stew with shredded chicken added

Switch the Instant Pot to the sauté function to bring the stew to a simmer.
Whisk flour with 3-4 tablespoons of water until smooth.
Add the flour mixture to the Instant Pot along with the heavy cream and heat through for 5 minutes.

small white bowl with flour and water mixture with whisk on side

overhead shot of cooked stew with addition of pouring of cream, with wooden spoon

Let the stew cool slightly before serving.

overhead shot of instant pot with soup ladle, with bowl of fresh parsley, basket of bread, soup bowls and spoons, and assorted veggies surrounding instant pot

Pro Tips

Cut the potatoes and carrots into similar-sized pieces (about 1 inch) for even cooking and easy bites.
Since baby gold potatoes have tender skin, they do not require peeling.
No need to sauté the chicken first! The pressure cooking will keep it tender.
Using the natural release function for 10 minutes avoids splatter and keeps the stew from boiling over.
Be sure to use the sauté function to thicken the stew only after pressure cooking, and refrain from adding flour and cream during the pressure cooking process.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken stew is a versatile base recipe that you can customize with what you have in the kitchen.

Use chicken breasts instead of thighs, or use pre-cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken (added after pressure cooking).
Try russet or red potatoes for a slight variation in texture. Peel the potatoes first if preferred.
Add frozen corn or peas, fresh mushrooms, or sliced celery for a variety of veggies.
For a lighter broth version (and dairy-free, too!), skip the heavy cream and just use the flour to thicken the stew.

Alternate Ways to Make Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Stew

STOVETOP: Simmer all ingredients (except the flour mixture and cream) in a Dutch oven on the stovetop for 30-40 minutes until the veggies are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Add the flour-water mixture and cream at the end to simmer for about 5 minutes.
SLOW COOKER: Combine all ingredients as directed and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken and add cream and flour-water mixture at the end.

black bowl of chicken stew with spoon on cutting board, with parsley, salt and pepper, and another bowl of stew in background

How To Serve Instant Pot Chicken Stew

For a tasty finish, top off your bowl of stew with shredded cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or extra cracked black pepper.

Serve a cup of stew as an easy lunch paired with an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

For a heartier, homey meal, serve a hot bowl of chicken stew with crusty bread, crumbled biscuits, or dinner rolls and butter. Add a light salad for freshness and enjoy!

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer

Freezing is not ideal since the cream and potatoes can get grainy or mushy when defrosted.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftover chicken stew in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Stir frequently to prevent scorching or burning.