Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew simmered with garlic, onions, tomatoes, ginger, thyme, and Caribbean spices. Comfort food has never tasted so good! So pull out your slow cooker because you’ll want to make this ASAP!
My first slow cooker was an impulse purchase, and I got it because it was dead cheap. Sadly, it collected dust for MANY MANY years, and for the life of me, I can’t remember what happened to it.
This time, I’m not going to let that happen. I bought this one with the intention of putting it to WORK, and I’m getting my money’s worth. In fact, I’ve lined up a lot of recipes to try or remake in this crockpot. So be prepared!
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Chicken and Bean Stew
This slow-cooker chicken and bean stew has now been crossed off that list. And it’s quickly becoming a staple in my household. It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser and incredibly easy, with only 10 minutes of prep time.
Make it quicker with canned or leftover beans. I always make more beans than needed and freeze them for soups and stews. No preference here; any beans will suffice.
It’s the same with chicken. Boneless or bone-in, breast or thighs both work. I used leftover bone-in chicken from a previous recipe and removed the skin. Talk about a time-saving and healthy dinner for a crazy weeknight dinner.
What You’ll Need
- Chicken – Breast or thighs, marinate in seasoning blend or salt, and brown it in oil.
- Seasonings – Onion, green onion, jalapeno, garlic, allspice, cumin, thyme, ginger, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and a pinch of cayenne pepper deliver insanely good flavor.
- Stew Base – Tomatoes, chicken broth, and salt and pepper to taste deliver the stew’s base, while fresh cilantro and parsley are gorgeous garnishes.
- Beans – Added protein never hurt, and beans are tasty and economical. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand: black beans, pinto, kidney, you name it.
How to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew
- Marinate – Place chicken in a large bowl and add your preferred seasoning and salt, or marinate with garlic, ginger, paprika, white pepper, and thyme.
- Sear – When ready to prepare, heat a cast iron skillet or large saucepan with about 2 tablespoons of oil. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown. Remove and place in the crockpot. Drain excess oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons (adding more if needed).
- Saute – Add the onions, green onions, jalapeño, garlic, allspice, cumin, thyme, ginger, and paprika. Sauté while stirring until the onions are soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add to the crockpot.
- Cook – Add the bay leaf, cayenne, tomato, beans, chicken broth, bouillon powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Stovetop Method
- Assemble – Put the ingredients in a large pot instead of the crockpot. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes or more until the chicken is tender and the stew is the desired consistency.
- Adjust seasonings and thickness of soup according to preference with broth and spices.
- Serve – Shred chicken if desired and serve hot with cornbread. Garnish with parsley, green onions, and cilantro.
Recipe Notes
- Since slow cookers mellow out the spices, adjusting to taste towards the end of the cooking is best.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, making it on the stovetop is easy and practical. Follow the same instructions, and instead of adding everything to the crockpot, add a little extra stock, bring it to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the chicken is tender. Easy!
- Browning the chicken first and sautéing the spices before adding them to the crockpot seriously adds flavor. However, if you want to throw everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it, that’s fine too.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make as big a batch as your slow cooker can handle and freeze half of it for later. It freezes well for 2-3 months.
Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days, and enjoy it for lunch the next day.
What to Pair With Slow-Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew
This stew is incredibly delicious with jalapeno corn muffins. A light tossed salad balances the meal perfectly so you can enjoy lemon pound cake without the guilt.
More Time-Saving Slow Cooker Recipes to Try
Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew
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Ingredients
- 2-2½ pounds (900-1,100g) chicken breast or thighs
- 1 tablespoon (15g) seasoning blend (pick your favorite or just use salt)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) canola oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green onion, diced
- 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (scotch bonnet peppers deliver more heat)
- 1½ tablespoons (22-23g) minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon (1-2g) ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon (1-2g) cumin
- 1½ teaspoons (1g) fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons (10g) minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons (5g) smoked paprika
- 1 large bay leaf
- ¼-½ teaspoon (pinch) cayenne pepper
- 2-3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 4 cups (920g) cooked beans or 1-2 15-ounce cans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups (475ml) chicken broth or more
- 1 tablespoon (10g) chicken bouillon powder (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh cilantro and parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large bowl and add your preferred seasoning and salt, or marinate with garlic, ginger, paprika, white pepper, and thyme.
- When ready to prepare, heat a cast iron skillet or large saucepan with 2 tablespoons of oil. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown. Remove and place in the crockpot. Drain excess oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons (adding more if needed).
- Add the onions, green onions, jalapeño, garlic, allspice, cumin, thyme, ginger, and paprika. Sauté while stirring until the onions are soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add to the crockpot.
- Then add the bay leaf, cayenne, tomato, beans, chicken broth, bouillon powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Stovetop Method
- Put the ingredients in a large pot instead of the crockpot. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes or more until the chicken is tender and the stew is the desired consistency.
- Adjust seasonings and thickness of soup according to preference with broth and spices.
- Shred chicken if desired and serve hot with cornbread. Garnish with parsley, green onions, and cilantro.
Tips & Notes:
- Since slow cookers mellow out the spices, adjusting to taste towards the end of the cooking is best.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, making it on the stovetop is easy and practical. Follow the same instructions, and instead of adding everything to the crockpot, add a little extra stock, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the chicken is tender. Easy!
- Browning the chicken first and sautéing the spices before adding them to the crockpot seriously adds flavor.
- However, if you want to throw everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it, that’s fine too.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
TheLocoKollective says
Do you have th4e recipe for the corn bread?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes I do right here
lynn Meagher says
What kind of beans do you use kidney or black?
ImmaculateBites says
I used kidney beans. Black beans would work as well.
Jennie says
This was amazing. These spices go so well together and all of the ingredients were stuff I already had nothing super special to look for specifically. My favorite kind of meal! Thanks you!!
ImmaculateBites says
Mine too! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Anne Murphy says
Enjoy your slow cooker! I love mine… (though honestly, I often use it to cook ingredients rather than finished recipes – it’s an easy way to keep cooked beans or meat on hand for later recipes.)
I totally agree about the preliminary saute. You can skip it if you’re in a rush, and really have to, but it adds so much flavor…
I’ve done variations of this, but your spices sound wonderful. I never used allspice much, and am learning to – and loving it… this gives me another variable with it. Thanks.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I really fancy a big bow of this full of flavor chicken and bean stew. I might try something similar over boxing day with some left over turkey. Have yourself a fab Xmas break and catch up in the New Year.
Brian Jones says
Oh wow I love the spicy twist on this simple bean and chicken soup, sounds heavenly!
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto says
This sounds absolutely delicious! I don’t have a slow cooker at home (but luckily was able to use one while housesitting in Costa Rica) but I need to get one! It’s such an awesome kitchen gadget!
Halimah says
Oh Immy, I just love every bit of your posts. I have actually tried some recipes and am doing pretty well.
Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!!! Super happy to hear this.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Oooh yes, I could go for a huge bowl of this right now! I love homemade stew, especially on a cold Winter’s night snuggled on the sofa. This would be just perfect!
Louisa [Living Lou] says
This looks so comforting and delicious! I, too, always saute my onions and garlic and brown the meat – it adds so much flavour to the dish, I also find that onions never quite cook out properly in the slow cooker.
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, Yes. Totally agree.
Ann {Created To Cook} says
This looks perfect for the cold winter months ahead. My slow cooker is also collecting dust somewhere, so I think i’ll give it a try on the stove top.
ImmaculateBites says
Ann, you need to pull out that slow cooker. You’ll be glad you did
Laura says
Thanks for another fantastic recipe! It was a hit with the family, the littles included 🙂 I’ll definitely be making this again!
AiPing | Curious Nut says
Where does one store the slow cooker when one doesn’t have enough space. 🙁 I need a slow cooker! Ah, this looks so so so good especially with the cold cold weather for this tropical girl.
ImmaculateBites says
I have that same problem too! Cleaned out my space and only kept a few cooking pans and pots.If I buy something new then something got to go. You need one Tropical girl
Michael says
Line 4 of the instructions state add ketchup and brown sauce but no amounts are given
ImmaculateBites says
Silly me. Recipe updated . Not needed.Thanks
SwtNene says
Looks amazing. I know this is going to be a hit. Will try this very soon.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks! Don’t forget the cornbread. They really pair well together.
Allison says
This is perfect! My favorite kind of slow cooker recipe. Definitely making this one!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Allison. Do tell how it works out for you.