Slow Cooker Chicken Sausage Stew Topped with Parmesan

This Creamy Chicken, Sausage, Potato Stew recipe that can be thrown together in the slow cooker is absolutely incredible. On a cold, snowy day, nothing warms your insides quite like a rich, hot, hearty meal simmering away all day in the crockpot. This stew is loaded with veggies like potatoes and smoked sausage plus chicken and cheese, making it a well-rounded meal that is better than anything you could grab from the fridge or pantry. I honestly think it might be one of the best things I’ve ever created in my slow cooker. The flavors all come together so nicely after simmering away in the crockpot all day. 

While pictures can’t really do it justice, you’ll just have to trust me when I tell you how amazing this stew is. It’s the perfect thing to throw in the slow cooker when you don’t want to think about what to make for dinner. With minimal effort tossed together in the morning, you come home to an incredible warm meal. There are plenty of great crockpot dinners worth checking out, like crockpot chicken and gnocchi, crockpot meatballs and little smokies, crockpot bbq chicken baked potatoes, and Buffalo Chicken Tacos.

Chicken Sausage Stew Slow Cooker

Without further ado, let’s commence the journey of creating this mouthwatering Chicken Sausage Stew Slow Cooker masterpiece!

Ingredients Notes

1. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts – This becomes so tender and adds richness to the stew after simmering all day.
2. Fully-cooked turkey, beef or pork sausage, like smoked sausage – A pack or two adds heat and smokiness that lightens things up.
3. Veggies like baby carrots, celery sticks and sweet yellow onion – All are minced together along with a few cloves of garlic.
4. Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes – They add robust flavor to the stew.
5. A few slices of crispy bacon – Cooked and crumbled bacon adds flavor.
6. Low-sodium chicken broth – Keeps everything moist as it simmers.
7. Heavy cream and cornstarch – Whisked together and thickened while simmering to make it creamy.
8. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese – Adds nice saltiness and texture.

How Long It Will Take in the CrockPot?

One of the best parts of this chicken stew recipe is getting to wake up excited about a home-cooked meal after it’s been simmered away all day in the crockpot. The first time I made this Crock pot chicken recipe a few weeks ago, I was wondering about the cooking time. Most traditional stews require longer simmering on the stove top, but one of the best parts of slow cooking is coming home to an already finished meal.

According to the guidelines for this stew, you can cook it on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. I generally go with the longer 8 hours on low so that all the flavors really blend together, but it often needs a bit less time if your crockpot runs hot. 

Instant Pot Conversion 

For those who definitely want to make this recipe but don’t have a slow cooker, don’t worry – you can use your Instant Pot to prepare it instead! The steps are slightly different from slow cooking, but you’ll still end up with a super comforting meal.

To convert, select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and sauté the sausages and onions in the stainless steel inner pot until browned. Then, follow the rest of the recipe instructions, adding all ingredients to the inner pot. Once complete, close and lock the lid and switch the function to Slow Cooker settings. You can then proceed with the recipe following the timings for Slow Cooker function.

Using an Instant Pot is a great alternative for slow cooker meals in the fall and winter months. All your favorite recipes like this creamy gravy, tender shredded chicken, chunks of sausage, bacon and stew can be prepped in no time for lunches and dinners for busy days ahead.

Make it Low in Fat and Calories

While this Creamy Crockpot Chicken Sausage Stew recipe is so delicious, you may want to save on the fat and calories sometimes. According to the nutrition information I calculated in the recipe card below, each serving is around 420 calories. That’s definitely on the higher side for a meal. However, it’s actually quite easy to lighten it up without losing any flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Sausage and Potatoes?

To prep this recipe, the first step is to trim any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Then it’s just a matter of dicing the veggies like carrots, celery, onion and mincing the garlic cloves. Beyond that, it comes together very easily as you simply combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and let it simmer away for 6–8 hours on low.

The Mirepoix

At the foundation of this Chicken and Sausage Stew, and really a multitude of other soup and stew recipes, is the mirepoix. This aromatic base of diced vegetables is one of the first steps when preparing this particular recipe.

Now I know the word mirepoix may sound rather fancy, but it’s really just a simple combination of diced onion, celery, and carrots that are slowly cooked in butter or oil over low heat. This cooking method coaxes out and tenderizes the veggies, allowing their flavor to infuse the whole dish.

Having the garlic join them in the Dutch oven or large pot takes it to another level. The low and slow cooking draws out their essence, creating a savory base to build upon layer by layer. So while it may seem like mere diced veggies, the humble mirepoix is truly the foundation of so many delicious meals.

Chicken Sausage Stew Slow Cooker

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: CrockPot DinnersCuisine: American

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

6

hours 

Calories

420

kcal

Resting Time

15

minutes

Total time

6

hours 

35

minutes

A slow simmering stew of chicken sausage, vegetables and cream, coming together over hours to create a taste of cozy satisfaction and home.

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs Yellow Potatoes, roughly chopped

• 3 Celery Stalks, diced

• 4 Carrots, diced

• 1 Yellow Onion, Diced

• 1 Spoon Tomato Paste

• 6-7 Garlic Cloves, minced

• 3 tbs Unsalted Butter, melted

• 1 lb Smoked Sausage, sliced

• 1 tsp Cooking oil

• 1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 5 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth

• 2 tbs Corn Starch + 2 tbs water

• 1 Cup Heavy Cream

• 1 Cup Parmesan, freshly grated

• 1 tbs Garlic Powder

• 1 tbs Black Pepper

• 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning

• Dried Parsley for garnish

• Salt and Pepper to season the chicken

Directions

• To start, trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-size pieces.
• In a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, brown up the smoked sausage until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Then season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear it for just a couple of minutes per side to brown it without cooking all the way through.
• Next, add the pieces to your crockpot. Top with potatoes, carrots, celery and onion that have been diced as well as some minced garlic and a spoonful of tomato paste. Toss with any seasonings like Italian seasoning and melted butter to mix.
• Stir in the browned smoked sausage and chicken, then add chicken broth. Place the lid on and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or on high for 4–6 hours. By the time you get home, your house will smell of all the warming aromas, and you’ll think the point of that lid is to hit you with how heavenly it all is.
• Once done, remove the chicken and shred or cut into chunks. Use a potato masher to mash a few potatoes right in the pot.
• Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water, then mix it in with some heavy cream and fresh grated Parmesan. Add the chicken back in and let it all sit for another 10–15 minutes just to warm through and thicken.
• It’s ready to garnish with dried parsley for color and sit back to enjoy the incredibly warming meal!

Storage Tips

For leftovers of this stew, you have a few options for storage:

Refrigerate: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator, where the stew will be best consumed within 3–4 days.

Freeze: You can also freeze portions for later. Transfer the stew to a freezer-safe zippered plastic storage bag, pressing out any extra air before sealing. Freeze flat on a baking sheet until solid, then stack in an organized fashion in the freezer to save space. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat: To enjoy leftovers again, gently warm them in the microwave or saucepan over low heat until heated through.

Conclusion

This creamy chicken sausage stew is the perfect comforting meal to nourish your body on a chilly evening. With few ingredients and simple preparation, your slow cooker works its magic all day, creating robust flavors mingling together into a taste of warmth and goodness. When hunger strikes, you’ll be grateful to have this satisfaction waiting thanks to your slow cooker.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does slow cooker make chicken dry?

When cooked properly in a slow cooker, chicken should not come out dry. Placing chicken pieces in an acidic liquid like broth, tomatoes, or vinegar will help keep it moist. Covering the crockpot to trap steam during cooking also helps prevent drying out. Shredding or chopping chicken into smaller pieces so it absorbs more moisture can work as well.

Can I freeze chicken sausage?

Yes, uncooked chicken sausage can absolutely be frozen. Make sure to package it airtight, like in freezer safe ziplock bags or containers. It will keep in the freezer for 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking. Fully cooked sausage can also be frozen, but may change texture slightly after thawing.

Can you reheat cooked chicken in slow cooker?

Leftover cooked chicken is fine to reheat in a slow cooker on low heat for a few hours. The gentle, even heat helps prevent drying out. Add a small amount of broth or other moistening liquid. Chicken can also be reheated on the stovetop in a pan with a lid or in the microwave in short bursts to prevent drying out.

How many calories are in chicken sausage?

On average, a 3-ounce serving of chicken sausage contains around 100 calories. But it can range from 80 to 130 calories depending on the brand and flavors added. Uncured chicken sausage tends to be lower in calories and fat than varieties with added ingredients or preservatives.

How long does it take to cook chicken sausages?

Most raw chicken sausages take 15–20 minutes to cook through when pan fried or grilled. Internal temperature should reach 165°F. Smaller sausage links or patties may only take 10–12 minutes. Larger sausages could take closer to 25 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer for safety and doneness.

How do you know when chicken sausage is cooked?

Fully cooked chicken sausage is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. It will no longer be pink inside, and any juices will run clear. Poke it with a fork – it should feel uniformly firm with no soft or raw areas. You can also cut into one to check doneness throughout. Additionally, it will be browned and caramelized on the outside when fully cooked.

Is all chicken sausage precooked?

No, not all chicken sausage is precooked. Some varieties must be fully cooked before eating, usually labeled “uncooked” or “raw”. Precooked chicken sausage is already fully cooked through and just needs to be heated until hot before serving. The packaging should clearly state if it requires cooking or is precooked and ready to eat.