Basic Chicken Stew - The Winter Weekday Receipe

This is my go-to "can someone cook me dinner, I have nothing in my tank" recipe. On days where I know I’ll be too busy to cook, I spend 15 minutes preparing this and let it slow cook the whole day.

It is packed with gut-healing ingredients like bone broth, garlic, and fiber-rich legumes, proving that eating well doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming.

Serves: 2

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 8 hours (Low) or 4 hours (High)

Ingredients

• 3 chicken thighs

• 1 large potato, chopped

• 1/4 small pumpkin, chopped

• 1 carrot, sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 tbsp dry lentils and beans

• 1/2 cup bean or lentil pasta

Broth Options:

• 4 cups water + 1 tbsp San Elk veggie stock powder + 1 tbsp San Elk chicken stock

• OR (The Gut-Health Upgrade): 4 cups 24hr slow-cooked bone broth + 1 tsp San Elk veggie stock powder + 1 tsp San Elk chicken stock

Method

• Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the chicken thighs until they have a brown crust. Remove from the pan and add them to the slow cooker.

• Sauté the garlic: Add more oil to the pan and fry off the crushed garlic until fragrant.

• Prepare the broth: Add your chosen broth liquid and stock powders to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it into the slow cooker over the chicken.

• Add legumes: Stir in the 2 tablespoons of dry lentils and beans.

• Set the timer: Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.

• Incorporate vegetables: 2 hours before the cook time is finished (if on Low) or 1 hour before (if on High), add the potato, pumpkin, and carrot.

• Add pasta: 20 minutes before the cook time ends, add the bean or lentil pasta.

The Gut-Health Bonus

• Fibre variety: Using lentils, beans, and pulse-based pasta provides diverse fuel for your microbiome.

• Prebiotics: Fresh garlic acts as a natural prebiotic. It’s great for when you’re sick. 

• Nutrient Density: Using the 24hr slow-cooked bone broth option supports the integrity of the gut lining without a high price tag.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. If you make it, please leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Upload a pic and tag me when you post to your socials; I would love to see your plates.

What other dishes do you want to see more of here?

Enjoy! Mx