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–+ servings

Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew (with Vegetarian Option)

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Packed with protein and veggies, this hearty Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew is easy to throw together and makes the perfect one-pot meal. Includes directions for making in your pressure cooker or Instant Pot!
Servings 6 -8
Author Robyn Downs

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs*
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped yellow or red waxy potato
  • 1 15-oz can diced fire-roasted tomato
  • 1 6-oz can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried herb mix
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 32- oz chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Just before serving:

  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder can substitute cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

To serve:

  • Extra virgin olive oil for serving
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Add the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, potato, tomato, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, granulated garlic, stock, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on high until the chicken and veggies are cooked through, about 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low (times vary depending on slow cooker).
  • Mix together the water, arrowroot powder, and balsamic until smooth. Pour mixture into the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on high an additional 5 minutes until the stew begins to thicken.
  • Remove the chicken and shred or dice. Add back to the slow cooker, stir, and taste, adding additional salt if desired. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground pepper.

Instant Pot Instructions

  • Cook the carrots, celery and onion for 5 minutes in 1 tablespoon of olive oil using the saute function on your Instant Pot, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned.
  • Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic, cooking for one additional minute, stirring occasionally minute.
  • Turn off the sautee function. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the water, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar) to the Instant Pot, stirring to combine.
  • Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, then do a natural pressure release.
  • Remove the chicken, shred or dice, and add back to the pot.
  • Mix together the water, arrowroot powder, and balsamic until smooth. Pour mixture into the pot, stirring to combine. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Stovetop instructions:

  • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Follow the Instant Pot instructions 1-4, above.
  • Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender.
  • Follow the Instant Pot instructions 6-7 above, then serve.

Notes

Inspired by this Tuscan Chicken Stew recipe from Sweet Peas & Saffron
*For a vegetarian version, swap 2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained in place of the chicken.
Throw in some dark, leafy greens at the end of cook time to boost the fiber and green power. Think baby spinach, kale, or chard.
Deconstruct the soup and serve all the parts separately. Some diced chicken, cooked veggies, and broth on the side for sipping makes soup more palatable for resistant eaters.