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First things first, get those chicken thighs patted dry and cut into nice, bite-sized chunks – about 1-inch pieces usually work well. You want them ready to soak up all that flavor. Then, tackle your veggies: chop the onion, slice the celery, and cube those Yukon Gold potatoes. Honestly, this is where I usually make a bit of a mess, but it’s all part of the process, right? Just get everything prepped and ready to go into your trusty crockpot. It's the groundwork for truly easy fall crockpot recipes.
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Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, toss your chicken pieces with the flour, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Make sure every piece of chicken gets a good coating; this flour is going to help thicken our stew later, giving it that lovely, rich consistency. Once the chicken is seasoned, add all your prepped vegetables—the carrots, celery, potatoes, and onion—to the bowl. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is evenly distributed. Don't worry if it looks a bit crowded; it’ll all settle down in the slow cooker.
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Carefully transfer the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. Try to spread it out as evenly as you can. Next, pour in the chicken broth. I usually give it a little swish around the bowl first to pick up any leftover flour or seasoning, making sure no flavor goes to waste! Tuck in that bay leaf right in the middle. The smell of the herbs already starts to promise something wonderful, even before it starts cooking. This is where the magic of easy fall crockpot recipes truly begins.
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Pop the lid on your crockpot and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Honestly, I prefer the low setting if I have the time; it just makes the chicken so incredibly tender and the flavors deepen beautifully. Resist the urge to peek too often! Every time you lift the lid, you lose a bit of heat and extend the cooking time. Just let it do its thing. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken shreds easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender.
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Once your stew is cooked through, if you find the broth is a bit thinner than you’d like (which happens sometimes!), here’s a little trick: scoop out about a cup of the hot broth into a small bowl. Whisk in a tablespoon or two of cornstarch until smooth, then stir it back into the crockpot. Let it cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired thickness. This little step can really elevate the texture, making it perfectly hearty.
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Before serving, don’t forget to remove that bay leaf – it's done its job! Give the stew a final taste and adjust any seasonings if needed. Sometimes a little extra pepper or a pinch more salt makes all the difference. Ladle generously into bowls, and for a fresh finish, sprinkle with some chopped fresh parsley. It adds a lovely pop of color and brightens the flavors. Enjoy your homemade, comforting, and oh-so-easy fall crockpot recipes creation!