Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetable Stew

My go-to slow cooker healthy recipes! This lemon herb chicken & vegetable stew is a cinch to make, packed with flavour, and good for you. Proper comfort food, lightened up! Give it a go.

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a hug in a bowl? honestly, who doesn't? this slow cooker lemon herb chicken & vegetable stew is pure comfort.

It’s one of those slow cooker healthy recipes that’s both good for you and tastes amazing. the bright lemon flavour really lifts it.

Brief Overview

This stew feels like a proper french dish. it’s adapted for the crockpot , meaning you just chuck it all in! it's super easy and takes about 6- 8 hours on low, or 3-4 on high.

Makes enough for six people.

Main Benefits

This recipe is packed with goodness. it is whole 30 friendly and uses whole foods . perfect for a chilly evening.

What makes it special? the fresh lemon and herbs give it a unique flavour. it's also great for prepping clean monday meals .

This crockpot whole food recipes is one of my go-to whole crockpot meals when i'm feeling lazy but still want something healthy.

Honestly, there's nothing better than coming home to the smell of a delicious stew that's been simmering all day! i reckon, this recipe, is also great as whole 30 keto crockpot recipes once you've adapted it.

Alright, let’s get into the ingredients, shall we?

Alright, let's get stuck in! this section is all about the bits and bobs you'll need for our slow cooker lemon herb chicken & vegetable stew .

Trust me, it's easier than a sunday morning lie-in! this means we will be creating some amazing slow cooker healthy recipes .

Ingredients & Equipment: Getting Sorted

Honestly, having the right stuff makes all the difference. It’s like having a proper brew; you need the right tea, right? We want to make it easy to find whole foods easy meals for our crockpot!

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Matter

Here's what you'll need to create some stunning whole crockpot meals :

• Chicken: 1.5 lbs (680g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
  • Quality Check: Look for plump, pink chicken. None of that dodgy pale stuff, alright?
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) .
• Onion: 1 large , chopped (about 1 cup).
• Carrots: 2 , peeled and chopped (about 1 cup).
• Celery: 2 stalks , chopped (about 1 cup).
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced.
• Chicken Broth: 4 cups (950 ml) , low-sodium.
• Lemon: 1 , zested and juiced.
• Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon .
• Dried Rosemary: 1 teaspoon .
• Dried Sage: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Bay Leaf: 1 .
• Baby Potatoes: 1 lb (450g) , quartered.
• Green Beans: 1 cup (about 120g) , trimmed and halved.
• Frozen Peas: 1 cup (about 120g) .
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish. These ingredients will allow us to use clean crock pot recipes .

Seasoning Notes: A Bit of Zing

Spices are like the bandmates jamming along the lead singer. Here's a breakdown of how to make it sing:

• The Essential Trio: Thyme, rosemary, and sage are like the holy trinity of this stew. Proper old-school flavors.
• Lemon Magic: The zest and juice add a proper brightness. Don't skip it!
• Quick Swap: No rosemary? Use Italian seasoning. Sorted. When we use these ingredients we are making good whole food recipes and can create crockpot whole food recipes .

Equipment Needed: What's What

You don't need fancy kit. Essential stuff only:

• Slow Cooker: 6-quart or bigger.
• Knife and Chopping Board: For chopping those veggies.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: To get those amounts spot on.
• Lemon Zester: For getting that lemon zest.
• Household Hack: Don't have a lemon zester? Use the small holes on a cheese grater. It works a treat.

So, there you have it. all the gubbins you need to get started. honestly, it’s mostly chopping, then lobbing it all in.

Easy peasy! with our clean monday meals ready, you can feel great about the day and start a delicious week!.

We are creating a whole 30 crock pot meals style menu that is perfect for whole 30 keto crockpot recipes .

Right, next up, we get to the actual cooking part. Get ready to smell something amazing in the kitchen!

Alright, let's get this slow cooker party started! today, we're diving headfirst into a slow cooker lemon herb chicken & vegetable stew .

Seriously, this is proper good stuff. it's like a hug in a bowl, but the kind that's good for you.

We will try to find some slow cooker healthy recipes for our next session.

Prep Like a Pro

• Essential Mise en Place: Get everything chopped and measured. Honestly, it makes life so much easier. Cube 1.5 lbs (680g) of chicken. Chop 1 large onion, 2 carrots, and 2 celery stalks. Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Quarter 1 lb (450g) of baby potatoes. Trim and halve 1 cup (approximately 120g) of green beans. Get that lemon zested and juiced!
• Time-Saving Organization Tips: Chop all your veg the night before. You know, when you're watching telly. Then, in the morning, it's just chuck-it-all-in time.
• Safety Reminders: Raw chicken can be a bit of a pain. Wash your hands, your chopping board, everything after handling it. Let's not get salmonella, yeah?

Slow Cooker Magic: Step-by-Step

1. Sear (Optional): Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil in a skillet. Brown the chicken on all sides. This gives a great depth of flavour but you can totally skip it.
2. Aromatics In: Add the chicken (seared or not!), onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to your slow cooker. Time to use Whole Foods Easy Meals .
3. Broth & Seasoning: Pour in 4 cups (950 ml) of low-sodium chicken broth. Add lemon zest and juice. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and rosemary, plus 1/2 teaspoon of dried sage. Don't forget a bay leaf! Season with salt and pepper.
4. Potatoes Ahoy: Add the quartered baby potatoes.
5. Slow Cook Time: Cover and cook on low for 6- 8 hours or high for 3- 4 hours . Chicken should be cooked through. Veg should be tender.
6. Final Veg: During the last 30 minutes , add the green beans and frozen peas. These are Good Whole Food Recipes .
7. Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Garnish with fresh parsley. Dig in! For some Clean Monday Meals , you may refrigerate it and reheat on monday.

Pro Tips

• Don't Overcook It! Chicken gets dry if cooked for too long. Start checking after the minimum cook time. This makes Whole Crockpot Meals .
• Sear that Chicken! Seriously, it makes a difference. It gives the stew a deeper flavour.
• Make Ahead? Absolutely! Prep all the ingredients the night before. Or, make the whole stew and reheat it later.

Honestly, this crockpot whole food recipes stew is the bee's knees. it's proper healthy, tastes amazing, and it's so easy, even i can't mess it up.

Plus, it's adaptable. want to make it crockpot whole30 or whole 30 crock pot meals ? just double-check your ingredients.

Fancy a whole 30 keto crockpot recipes version? maybe skip the potatoes and add some cauliflower rice. fancy a clean crock pot recipes ? use only fresh food and avoid any processed food and canned goods.

Get creative. get cooking. enjoy!

Alright, let's chat about making this Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetable Stew even easier. I’m buzzing to share some extra bits. So grab a brew! Let’s get to it.

Recipe Notes for Your Crockpot Whole Food Recipes

This stew is already pretty straightforward. But these notes make it foolproof. Trust me, I've had my share of kitchen mishaps. You know?

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro!

Honestly, presentation makes a difference. spoon the stew into bowls. top with fresh parsley. a crusty baguette on the side is perfect.

A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil? yes, please! this stew is also great with a simple salad. something with a lemon vinaigrette would be lush.

Talking about bevies, a crisp white wine goes down a treat!

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh!

Got leftovers? ace! store them in an airtight container. they’ll keep in the fridge for up to three days. freezing works too.

Pop it in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. to reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge. then warm it up on the hob or in the microwave.

Sorted! don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours, or it can go bad.

Variations: Mix It Up!

Fancy a change? for a whole 30 crock pot meals , skip the potatoes. add cauliflower florets instead. if you are doing whole 30 keto crockpot recipes ensure you are adding fat and watch out for other ingredients that aren't whole30 or keto.

For a vegetarian option, switch the chicken broth for vegetable broth. throw in some chickpeas or lentils for protein. this is a great source of good whole food recipes .

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl!

This stew is packed with goodness. it's low in calories. it is also high in protein and fibre. chicken gives you lean protein.

Veggies offer vitamins and minerals. it's a great way to get your clean monday meals going strong! this can be one of those whole foods easy meals that doesn't require a lot of time.

Plus, lemon and herbs add flavour. they also boost your immune system. what's not to love?

Slow cooker healthy recipes like this one are a lifesaver, especially when you are time-poor. they are also great because you just chuck it all in.

You will have a tasty, nutritious meal waiting for you.

Cooking should be fun, not a chore. So don't be afraid to experiment. You can tweak the recipe to suit your taste! Happy cooking!

Clean Crock Pot Recipes and Whole Crockpot Meals can make getting dinner on the table quick and easy. Give it a go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetable Stew actually healthy? It sounds too good to be true!

Absolutely! This stew is packed with lean protein from the chicken and plenty of vitamins and fiber from all those lovely vegetables. We've kept it light by using low-sodium broth and minimal oil. It’s a proper, wholesome meal that won't leave you feeling like you need to hit the gym for a week afterwards. Think of it as comfort food, but with a halo!

Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe for a real "chuck it all in" slow cooker healthy recipes approach?

While you can technically cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker, it's generally not recommended for food safety reasons. The chicken may spend too long in the "danger zone" (between 4°C and 60°C) where bacteria thrive. For best results and peace of mind, thaw your chicken breasts in the fridge overnight before adding them to the slow cooker. Safety first, always!

How long does this stew last, and what's the best way to store any leftovers?

This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetable Stew will happily keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It also freezes beautifully! Portion it out into individual containers for easy lunches or dinners down the line. Just remember to thaw it thoroughly before reheating, either in the microwave or on the stovetop.

I'm not a huge fan of peas. Can I swap them out for something else?

Of course! Feel free to get creative with your veggies. Green beans, broccoli florets, or even some sweetcorn would be lovely additions. Just bear in mind the cooking time of your substitute. Heartier veggies like carrots should go in earlier, while more delicate ones like spinach should be added towards the end, during the last 30 minutes of cooking, just like the peas.

What if my stew ends up too watery? How can I thicken it up?

No worries, we've all been there! The easiest way to thicken it up is to remove the lid for the last 30-60 minutes of cooking, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch (cornflour to some of us) with two tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry, and then stir that into the stew during the last 30 minutes. Give it a good stir and let it cook until thickened, just like your nan used to do with gravy.

Can I adapt this to be vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. To make it vegan, ensure your vegetable broth is vegan-friendly, and consider adding a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or lentils for added protein and heartiness. You might want to add some smoked paprika for extra depth of flavour, to compensate for the missing chicken.

Previous Recipe: Peachy Keen Smoothie Recipe: Taste Summer in 5 Minutes!
Next Recipe: Crock Pot Butter Chicken: Easiest Indian Feast!