Looking for a delicious and hearty dish to warm you up this holiday season? Look no further than this Festive Christmas Tuscan Vegetable Chicken Stew! Packed with flavorful veggies, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs, this stew is not only easy to make but is also perfect for cozy family dinners or festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Bursting with flavors: The combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and tender chicken creates a rich and satisfying stew that is sure to please your taste buds.
- Quick prep time: With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe can be whipped up in no time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.
- Perfect for meal prep: This stew reheats beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping lunches or dinners for the week ahead.
Ingredient Notes:
- Olive oil and butter: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding richness to the stew.
- Onion, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and red bell pepper: These veggies add depth of flavor and texture to the stew.
- Flour: Helps to thicken the stew.
- Chicken broth: Provides a savory base for the stew.
- Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes: Add a burst of Italian flavors and a hint of heat.
- Cannellini beans and diced tomatoes: Add protein and a hearty texture to the stew.
- Cooked chicken breast: Adds protein and makes this stew a complete meal.
- Fresh spinach, cider vinegar, salt, pepper, parsley, and Parmesan cheese: Add freshness, acidity, and garnish to the stew.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant.
- Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and red bell pepper, cook until slightly softened.
- Stir in flour, then gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly.
- Add Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, and cooked chicken breast.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes, then add fresh spinach, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Helpful Tips:
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
- This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta for a complete meal.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use homemade chicken broth for the best flavor.
- Don’t skip the cider vinegar, as it adds a bright acidity to balance the richness of the stew.
- Let the stew simmer low and slow to allow the flavors to develop fully.
Serving Suggestions:
This Tuscan Vegetable Chicken Stew pairs perfectly with a side of crusty bread, a green salad, or a glass of red wine. For a festive touch, serve it in bread bowls for a cozy and comforting meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain the stew’s consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh? Yes, feel free to use frozen vegetables if that’s what you have on hand.
- Can I make this stew ahead of time? Absolutely! This stew tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it in advance.
- Can I freeze this stew? While you can freeze this stew, the texture of the vegetables may change slightly upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.
Conclusion:
Warm up your holiday season with this Festive Christmas Tuscan Vegetable Chicken Stew! Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal for a cozy night in or a festive dish to impress your guests, this stew is sure to delight. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out! Enjoy and happy cooking!
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Festive Christmas Tuscan Vegetable Chicken Stew
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Festive Christmas Tuscan Vegetable Chicken Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for the holiday season. Packed with a variety of vegetables, tender chicken, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this stew is sure to warm you up on a cold winter night.
Ingredients
Main Stew:
-
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups carrots, chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped
- 1 large zucchini, chopped
- 1 sweet red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
Seasonings:
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- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 19 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley, for garnish
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook until vegetables are slightly tender.
- Add Flour and Broth: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir. Pour in chicken broth, stirring constantly until the stew thickens.
- Simmer: Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, chicken, and spinach. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- This stew can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Feel free to add more vegetables or swap out the chicken for another protein like turkey or pork.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg