Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,470
Registered: ‎01-08-2011
  When I make this, it will be with chicken breasts, and use less fat real bacon bits.  For any sauteeing, I'll use a drop of olive oil.

 

From American's Test Kitchen.

  Chicken Stew (The best ever!)
 
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: In working to make a chicken stew that could satisfy like its beef brethren, we looked to two different chicken parts: We seared well- exercised wings to provide rich chicken flavor and plenty of thickening gelatin, and then we gently simmered boneless chicken thighs (*you can cut into bite-size pieces if desired) for tender bites throughout the stew. To boost meatiness, we used a combination of bacon, soy sauce, and anchovy paste. Finally we took full advantage of the concentrating effect of reduction by cooking down wine, broth, and aromatics at the start and simmering the stew uncovered during its stay in the oven.
 
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 20 mins
 
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: America's Test Kitchen, chicken stew, stew recipe
 
Servings: 6 to 8
 
Author: America's Test Kitchen
 
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs halved crosswise and trimmed
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 3 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 pound chicken wings halved at joint
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup dry white wine plus extra for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 3 pieces
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 pound small red potatoes unpeeled, quartered
  • 4 carrots peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  • Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Arrange chicken thighs on baking sheet and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper; cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
  • Cook bacon in large Dutch oven over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until fat renders and bacon browns, 6 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to medium bowl. Add chicken wings to pot, increase heat to medium, and cook until well browned on both sides, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer wings to bowl with bacon.
  • Add onion, celery, garlic, anchovy paste, and thyme to fat in pot; cook, stirring occasionally, until dark fond forms on pan bottom, 2 to 4 minutes. Increase heat to high; stir in 1 cup broth, wine, and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits; and bring to boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and vegetables begin to sizzle again, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Add butter and stir to melt; sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in remaining 4 cups broth until smooth. Stir in wings and bacon, potatoes, and carrots; bring to simmer. Transfer to oven and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.
  • Remove pot from oven. Use wooden spoon to draw gravy up sides of pot and scrape browned fond into stew. Place over high heat, add chicken thighs*, and bring to simmer. Return pot to oven, uncovered, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken offers no resistance when poked with fork and vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes longer. (Stew can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
  • Discard wings and season stew with up to 2 tablespoons extra wine. Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

Published November 1, 2013. From Cook’s Illustrated. I received permission from America’s Test Kitchen to publish their Chicken Stew recipe here.

 

bowl of stew with chicken and vegetables

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,687
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

That looks delicious. I would make a few changes, but that's just personal preference. I don't do anchovies in any form. I tried a recipe and hated them. I also don't do wine. Other than that, I would pretty much follow the recipe. Thanks for posting.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,953
Registered: ‎05-27-2015

@ECBG  I made this today and added mushrooms, green beans and peas. It is delicious! I posted on another thread, but I didn't have the recipe to post. Thanks for posting the recipe.Our family prefers dark meat, so I used the thighs. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,562
Registered: ‎11-08-2020

@ECBG , love America's Test Kitchen.  Thanks for posting!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,510
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I like to watch those program-- the end product looks so wonderful but man,  so many steps to get there---don't cook like that anymore--try to limit  to 5 or 6 ingedients---