Dump and Start Instant Pot Chicken Stew

This hearty Dump and Start Instant Pot Chicken Stew recipe is full of pantry staples and super quick to make, thanks to the Instant Pot.

Plus, it’s suitable for gluten free diets and Weight Watchers friendly.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

I’m a huge fan of dump-and-start meals, and this Instant Pot chicken stew will become one of your all-time faves. All you need are some everyday pantry and refrigerator staples, your trusty InstantPot.

This recipe delivers maximum flavor thanks to caraway seeds. Bonus is that this meal is ready to serve in just under 15 minutes.

I am sharing this recipe just in time for your upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration, or anytime you want to serve up a cozy stew quickly and without loads of prep.

And this is as delicious as Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie and Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Why Make This Recipe

• Quick and easy – Just dump the ingredients into your Instant Pot, press start, and walk away.
• Budget friendly – Made with affordable ingredients, most of which you have already.
• Great flavor – Full of simple yet great flavor, thanks to the addition of caraway seeds and ground coriander.

What’s Needed

This is one of those dishes where your pantry comes into play. Seasoning is key in a good stew. Here’s the ingredient list:

• Chicken – This recipe calls for skinless, boneless chicken breast, but you can use skin-on breasts. You can also use boneless chicken thighs.
• Veggies – A selection of fresh veggies such as baby potatoes, carrots, and cabbage make this stew. Cut the vegetables into thicker chunks than you normally would so they retain their shape. You can add in other firm veggies too. You can use red potatoes, russet potatoes, or sweet potatoes instead of baby potatoes. Add tomato for colour and sharpness.
• Chicken stock – Feel free to use homemade or store-bought stock, and you can substitute chicken broth, veggie stock, or vegetable broth instead.
• Seasonings – This has a selection of flavorings like onion powder, garlic powder, ground coriander, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper, and the secret ingredient that makes all the difference, caraway seeds. Feel free to omit any you don’t like and add a little more of those you do like.
• That extra flavor – Yes, smoked bacon, you only need a small amount, but it makes a world of difference. Smoked ham should work too.

How To Make This

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Add all of the ingredients into the Instant Pot insert, then add chicken on top. Do NOT mix.
2. Close the Instant Pot lid, turn the valve to the sealing position, and set to high pressure, pressure cook/manual cook for 6 minutes.
3. When done, allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) of 4-5 minutes, then perform a quick pressure release to release the remaining pressure.
4. Open the lid, adjust seasonings as needed, and serve.

Important note: the cook time listed does not include the time needed for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.

Bintu’s Tips And Variations

• You can add up to another cup of chicken stock for more liquid if needed.
• Cut the chicken breast into larger pieces so that it does not overcook.
• If you like a little heat, add some red pepper flakes or chipotle.
• If you want, you can use browned chicken, which can be cooked using the sauté function with some olive oil.
• If you want to thicken the stew a bit, then make a cornstarch slurry.
• I love serving this with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Add twice as many veggies and double the rest of the ingredients, excluding the chicken, and you can have it for 2 meals.
• Bulk it out by adding beans for more affordable protein instead of chicken.
• You can make this with leftover chicken instead. Omit the chicken and cook everything else, then at the end add in leftover, precooked chicken.
• Add leftover rice or pasta at the end of the cooking time to make it even more hearty.

Storage

• Prep in advance – Chop your veggies in advance and keep them in the refrigerator.
• Refrigerate – Let it cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze – Yes, you can freeze in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, but the vegetables will get mushy.
• Reheat – Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or stovetop.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Other Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Want more Instant Pot recipes to sink your teeth into? Then try these below.

• Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie.
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup.
• Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti.
• Easy Instant Pot Rosemary Chicken Thighs.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this stew up with some Dump And Start Instant Pot Coconut Rice or some Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

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