Skinny Stewed Chicken

Besides soups, stewed chicken has always been one of my go-to comfort meals...... juicy chicken simmered down in flavorful broth until tender and falling off the bone. The only thing.......traditional versions are usually heavy on skin, salt, flour, and fat.

This Skinny Stewed Chicken is my lighter, healthier take. It still gives you all the cozy, soul-warming vibes of the classic dish — but with smart swaps that make it better for you:

• I used bone-in chicken thighs but removed the skin to cut down on fat.

• The gravy is thickened with arrowroot starch instead of flour — making it lower in carbs.

• I leaned on mushrooms + sun-dried tomatoes for richness instead of loads of butter or cream.

• Just a spoonful of coconut cream adds a subtle hint of sweetness while keeping it savory (totally optional if you’d rather skip it).

This way, you get to enjoy a fall comfort favorite without the carb overload, without the extra grease, and with a whole lot more balance.

Smothered vs. Stewed Chicken

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s clear something up: smothered chicken and stewed chicken are similar but not the same.

Smothered Chicken

• Chicken is usually seared or lightly fried first, then cooked in a thicker gravy that clings to the chicken.

• Less liquid overall, more focus on the rich sauce coating the meat.

• Think classic Southern smothered chicken with onion- or mushroom-based gravy.

Stewed Chicken

• Chicken is simmered in more liquid, like broth or tomatoes, until tender.

• Sauce is thinner — more like a stew or braise.

• Focus is on tender, juicy chicken infused with the flavor of the broth and aromatics.

This recipe is called Skinny Stewed Chicken because the chicken cooks in a flavorful broth with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and a touch of thickener, rather than being “smothered” in a heavy gravy. It gives you all the comfort of traditional chicken dishes but in a lighter, healthier way.

What you'll need:

Servings: 4Cook Time: 4–6 hours (low) / 2–3 hours (high)

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed (about 2 lbs)

• 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)

• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)

• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Trader Joe’s Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend (or to taste)

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried rosemary

• ½ tsp salt (adjust if broth/sun-dried tomatoes are salty)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch (or cornstarch, keto option: xanthan gum) mixed with 2 tbsp water

• ½ cup plain greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp coconut cream (optional — adds a light hint of sweetness while still keeping the dish savory)

What do do:

1. Sear the chicken (optional but recommended): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.

2. Layer the base: In your slow cooker, add onions, mushrooms, garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Place chicken thighs on top.

3. Season: Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, Umami seasoning, salt, and pepper over the chicken.

4. Add broth: Pour chicken broth around (not directly over) the chicken.

5. Cook: Cover and cook on low 5–6 hours or high 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender.

6. Make the gravy: Remove chicken. Whisk arrowroot slurry, greek yogurt, (and coconut cream, if using) into the liquid in the slow cooker. Stir until thickened into a stew-like gravy.

7. Stew & serve: Return chicken to the slow cooker, coat with sauce, and serve warm.

 Serving Suggestions

• Brown rice

• Over cauliflower mash

• With zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash

 Final Thoughts

I’m building a collection of lighter, healthier spins on the meals I grew up loving. This way, I can still enjoy those comfort food classics — just with fewer carbs, less salt, and less heaviness, but all the flavor.

Try this Skinny Stewed Chicken when you want a meal that feels like home, without weighing you down.