Alabama Chicken Stew: A Hearty Comfort Dish

Alabama Chicken Stew is a rich, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a delicious broth. This Southern-inspired stew is perfect for chilly evenings, providing warmth and comfort in every spoonful. The blend of savory ingredients like sweet onions, carrots, and garlic, along with the hearty potatoes and corn, makes this stew a satisfying meal for the whole family. Whether you’re serving it at a cozy dinner or at a family gathering, this Alabama Chicken Stew is sure to impress.

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Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions

Alabama Chicken Stew is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender chicken in a flavorful broth with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, and corn. This southern-style stew is perfect for chilly evenings and brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. It’s a great one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.

Alabama Chicken Stew Recipe: A Hearty Southern Comfort Dish

Author: Jennifer Mitchell
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Discover how to make Alabama Chicken Stew with tender chicken, vegetables, and a rich broth. A perfect comfort meal for any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Stock:

1 (4 pounds) whole chicken, neck and gizzards removed
1 medium sweet onion, quartered
2 large carrots, cut into chunks
2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled, crushed
8 cups cold water

For the Stew:

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 bag (10 ounces) frozen corn (about 1–3/4 cups)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Hot pepper sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Stock:
In a large pot, add the whole chicken, quartered sweet onion, chunks of carrots and celery, unpeeled garlic cloves, and cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the stock simmer for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors are well blended. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during simmering.
Remove the Chicken:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Strain the stock if desired, discarding the vegetables and bones, or leave them for extra flavor.
Prepare the Stew:
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat off the bones, discarding the skin and bones. Set the shredded chicken aside.
In the same pot with the strained stock, add the diced potatoes, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
Add Remaining Ingredients:
Once the potatoes are tender, add the crushed tomatoes, frozen corn, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Add the Chicken:
Stir the shredded chicken back into the pot and cook for another 5 minutes to heat the chicken through and combine the flavors.
Serve:
Serve the Alabama Chicken Stew hot with a few dashes of hot pepper sauce for an added kick, if desired.

Notes

This stew is incredibly versatile; feel free to add other vegetables like green beans, peas, or bell peppers for added variety.

The hot pepper sauce is optional, depending on your desired spice level.

For a richer flavor, you can cook the stew a day in advance and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to deepen.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Main Course, Soup/Stew
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1-2 cups
Calories: 250
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: Alabama Chicken Stew

Instructions:

Prepare the Stock: In a large pot, combine the whole chicken, quartered onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour, occasionally skimming off any foam or impurities from the top of the stock.
Remove the Chicken: After 1 hour, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool. Strain the broth to remove the vegetables and any bones. Return the strained stock to the pot.
Prepare the Stew: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the shredded chicken to the pot with the strained stock. Then, add the chopped potatoes, onion, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, frozen corn, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Simmer: Bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.
Serve: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with a splash of hot pepper sauce for added heat, if desired.

Advanced Techniques for Enhanced Flavor

To take your Alabama Chicken Stew to the next level, consider these advanced techniques:

Roasting the Chicken First

For an even richer flavor, try roasting the whole chicken before adding it to the pot. Simply roast the chicken at 375°F for about 1 hour until the skin is golden and crispy. Then, use the roasted chicken to make your stock for a deeper, more complex flavor.

Adding Herbs

Incorporating fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves can enhance the aroma and flavor of your stew. Add them during the simmering process and remove before serving.

Thickening the Stew

If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash a portion of the cooked potatoes and stir them back into the pot. This will naturally thicken the stew and give it a creamier texture without the need for added flour or cornstarch.

See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.

Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips

Alabama Chicken Stew is a hearty dish that holds up well in storage, making it perfect for leftovers.

How to Store:

Refrigeration: Store any leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: If you want to keep the stew for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. However, keep in mind that the potatoes may become slightly mushy when reheated.

Reheating Tips:

Reheat the stew on the stovetop over low heat. If the stew has thickened too much in the fridge or freezer, simply add a bit of water or chicken broth to restore the desired consistency.

Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions

This Alabama Chicken Stew can be easily adapted to meet various dietary needs.

Gluten-Free:

The recipe is naturally gluten-free, as it doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients. Just be sure to serve it with gluten-free bread or crackers if desired.

Dairy-Free:

If you need to make the stew dairy-free, the recipe is already dairy-free as written, so there are no modifications necessary. However, you could serve it with dairy-free bread or rolls.

Vegetarian Version:

To make this stew vegetarian, you can omit the chicken and use vegetable broth as the base. Add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or squash to make up for the missing protein.

Spicy Version:

If you prefer your stew with a little heat, add extra hot pepper sauce or a diced jalapeño or two during the simmering process to give it a spicy kick.

FAQs About The Recipe

Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts or thighs instead of a whole chicken. Simply cook the chicken separately and add it to the stew after shredding. However, using a whole chicken for the stock will provide more flavor.

Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh corn can be substituted for frozen. If using fresh corn, make sure to remove the kernels from the cob before adding them to the stew.

How can I make the stew more hearty?

To make the stew even more hearty, you can add more vegetables like green beans, peas, or squash. You can also increase the amount of potatoes for a thicker, more filling stew.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Alabama Chicken Stew is a comforting, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its tender chicken, savory vegetables, and rich broth, it’s a great meal to enjoy with family and friends. The dish is easily adaptable, allowing you to customize it to your tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week, this stew is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Alabama Chicken Stew is a deliciously hearty, comforting dish with a rich and flavorful broth, tender chicken, and hearty vegetables. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, especially when served with a slice of crusty bread!

So gather your ingredients, get your pot simmering, and enjoy the delicious warmth of Alabama Chicken Stew!