Light & Fresh Slow Cooker Chicken & Zucchini Stew

This light and fresh slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is about to become your new weeknight hero.

Imagine coming home to a comforting, healthy meal that practically made itself. This recipe delivers on flavor, simplicity, and those much-needed low-carb benefits, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a wholesome dinner without the fuss.

Perfect for busy evenings, this stew combines tender chicken with fresh zucchini and a savory broth, all slow-cooked to perfection. It’s a wonderfully balanced meal that’s both satisfying and incredibly easy to prepare, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Zucchini Stew

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• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This light and fresh slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is a comforting, healthy, and low-carb meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender chicken with fresh zucchini and a savory broth, all slow-cooked to perfection with minimal hands-on time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

4 cups chicken broth, low sodium

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch thick half-moons

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully tender in the stew.

2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the cut chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and salt over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes.

3. Stir Gently: Give all the ingredients a gentle stir to combine them well. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid and spices are distributed evenly.

4. Set and Cook: Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shredded with a fork when done.

5. Add Zucchini: About 30-45 minutes before the end of the cooking time (or when the chicken is almost done), stir in the zucchini half-moons. This timing prevents the zucchini from becoming overly mushy and helps it retain a pleasant texture.

6. Finish Cooking: Replace the lid and continue cooking until the zucchini is tender-crisp and the stew is heated through. The stew should be bubbling gently and fragrant.

7. Taste and Adjust: Carefully taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

8. Serve Warm: Ladle the warm stew into bowls. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-8 hours
• Category: main dish
• Method: slow cooker
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups

Keywords: chicken, zucchini, stew, slow cooker, low carb, healthy, weeknight, easy, comfort food, dinner

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true gem for anyone seeking a healthy, simple, and delicious meal solution. It’s especially perfect for busy families, individuals with dietary goals like low-carb eating, or anyone who appreciates the magic of a slow cooker. You’ll love that it requires minimal hands-on time, allowing you to set it and forget it while your slow cooker does all the hard work. It’s a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner when you want something nutritious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The gentle cooking process ensures the chicken stays incredibly tender and the zucchini softens beautifully, absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the broth. It’s a comforting meal that feels light and fresh, making it suitable for any time of year.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is straightforward, focusing on fresh, wholesome items. You’ll likely have many of these staples in your pantry already, which makes whipping up this meal even easier.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch thick half-moons
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly more forgiving texture; just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a half teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in a pinch. Feel free to adjust the dried herbs to your liking; a pinch of dried thyme would also be lovely. When it comes to the broth, vegetable broth can be used as an alternative to chicken broth if preferred, though it will alter the flavor slightly.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Preparing this light and fresh slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is incredibly efficient, making it ideal for busy schedules.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
• Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on slow cooker setting)

The hands-on preparation is minimal, mainly involving chopping the chicken, onion, and zucchini. The majority of the time is passive cooking in the slow cooker, allowing you to go about your day while dinner simmers to perfection.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfect, flavorful meal every time.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully tender in the stew.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the cut chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and salt over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes.
3. Stir Gently: Give all the ingredients a gentle stir to combine them well. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid and spices are distributed evenly.
4. Set and Cook: Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shredded with a fork when done.
5. Add Zucchini: About 30-45 minutes before the end of the cooking time (or when the chicken is almost done), stir in the zucchini half-moons. This timing prevents the zucchini from becoming overly mushy and helps it retain a pleasant texture.
6. Finish Cooking: Replace the lid and continue cooking until the zucchini is tender-crisp and the stew is heated through. The stew should be bubbling gently and fragrant.
7. Taste and Adjust: Carefully taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
8. Serve Warm: Ladle the warm stew into bowls. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a heartier meal, you could add a can of drained cannellini beans or chickpeas during the last hour of cooking. If you enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the other spices would add a nice kick. To make it even more veggie-packed, consider adding a handful of spinach or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking, allowing it just enough time to wilt.

For serving, this stew is fantastic on its own as a light, low-carb meal. However, it also pairs beautifully with a side of cauliflower rice or quinoa for those who want a bit more substance. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would complement the stew perfectly. For kids, you might serve it with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or even over a small portion of whole wheat pasta to make it more appealing. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving can also add a lovely savory touch that many will enjoy.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Here are a few to watch out for when making your slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew:

• Overcooking the Zucchini: Adding the zucchini too early in the cooking process is a frequent mistake. Zucchini cooks quickly and can become mushy if left in the slow cooker for too long. To avoid this, always add it during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, ensuring it remains tender-crisp.
• Cutting Chicken Unevenly: If your chicken pieces are vastly different in size, some might be overcooked and dry while others are still undercooked. Take a moment to cut your chicken into roughly 1-inch pieces for consistent cooking.
• Not Seasoning Enough: Slow cookers can sometimes mute flavors, so don’t be afraid to season generously. Always taste the stew at the end of cooking and adjust salt and pepper as needed. A little extra fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end can also brighten the flavors.
• Too Much Liquid: While this is a stew, you don’t want it to be watery. Stick to the recommended amount of broth. If you find your stew is too thin at the end, you can thicken it slightly by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
• Lifting the Lid Too Often: Every time you lift the slow cooker lid, you release heat and extend the cooking time. Try to resist the urge to peek frequently, especially during the first few hours of cooking, to maintain a consistent temperature.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This slow cooker chicken and zucchini stew is excellent for meal prepping and stores wonderfully, making your weeknight dinners even easier.

To store leftovers, allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often meld and deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day.

For longer storage, this stew freezes beautifully. Once cooled, transfer portions into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace if using containers. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat gently.

To reheat, you can use the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until simmering gently. If the stew seems a bit thick after refrigeration or freezing, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. The zucchini might be slightly softer after reheating, but the overall texture and flavor will still be delicious.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.