This Keto Chicken Stew is like a cross between traditional beef stew and a French coq au vin (minus the wine!). Ingredients like savory beef broth, balsamic vinegar, bacon, mushrooms and fresh aromatics give this stew so much flavor. Serve it over your favorite mash, or enjoy it on its own for a hearty, cozy meal.

low carb chicken stew
This low-carb stew has all the good stuff as traditional beef stew, but catered to a keto and low-carb diet.
Mushrooms, carrots, celery, and pearl onions are the perfect complement to the tender chicken and rich, savory broth.
They add satisfying texture to the stew, while thick cuts of bacon plus bold balsamic vinegar provide a depth of flavor that makes this hearty stew truly memorable!
Even if you're not following a strict keto diet, this stew is a delicious and healthy low-carb comfort food option.
It's a great recipe that takes a little extra effort, but it's not well worth it in the end. Once you've prepped everything, it's smooth sailing until dinnertime.
I've made plenty of keto soup recipes, like my Crockpot Green Chili Chicken Soup and Keto Tuscan Soup with Beef and Vegetables. But winter weather and stew go hand-in-hand, and the whole family is really loving this keto stew recipe right now.
It's an excellent way to switch up your dinner routine, and the flavors are on point.
why this recipe works
We're omitting the potatoes and all-purpose flour that you'd traditionally find in a classic stew recipe. That means we've got to get creative with our ingredients and use low-carb alternatives that still provide delicious flavor and texture.
When I created this dish, I wanted it to mimic a classic coq au vin, which is why I added bacon, mushrooms and pearl onions. I love the addition of pearl onions because instead of getting lost in the broth like regular onions, they stay whole, creating little pockets of flavor throughout the stew. While they do require a little bit of extra work to peel (keep reading to learn how to do it easily), it's worth it.
Instead of wine, balsamic vinegar adds a ton of flavor and a subtle sweetness. I also used arrowroot starch to thicken the broth instead of flour, and it works like a charm.
Arrowroot starch is a gluten-free and grain-free alternative to flour, and it's perfect for keto cooking. It adds a smooth texture to the broth, making it feel rich and hearty, but still much lower in net carbs.
My keto chicken stew is:
- Made with fresh ingredients, real food ingredients that are nutrient dense and blood sugar friendly.
- The perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. It's cozy, comforting, and filling.
- Great for meal prep. Make a big batch and have leftovers for lunch, or freeze individual portions for quick meals.
- A relatively easy keto meal. Once you've chopped up your veggies and chicken, it's just a matter of letting the oven to the rest.
ingredient list
Here's a look at the main ingredients you'll need. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the recipe card with the exact measurements and all of the details.
- Bacon (optional). I like to cook the bacon first and then use the grease to sear the chicken and veggies, giving it extra flavor.
- Chicken thighs. I prefer boneless and skinless chicken thighs over chicken breasts, as the meat comes out more tender and flavorful and is overall a better choice for slow cooking.
- Vegetables: I used a combination of mushrooms, celery ribs, carrots, and pearl onions. Feel free to add in any other low-carb veggies you like!
- Butter. This is added to the base of the stew for extra richness and flavor.
- Arrowroot starch. A gluten-free, low-carb, and grain-free thickening agent. Sometimes it's called arrowroot powder or arrowroot flour.
- Tomato paste. Adds depth of flavor to the broth.
- Dried thyme. This herb adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the stew. You're welcome to use fresh thyme if you have it.
- Beef broth. Beef broth adds extra richness and a savory flavor to the stew. Feel free to substitute in chicken broth, if you prefer.
- Balsamic vinegar. A splash adds a touch of acidity, sweetness, and balances out the flavors.
- Parsley or grated parmesan. Use parsley or parmesan cheese for serving. Or both, why not?
how to make keto chicken stew
Ready to dig into a bowl of warm and comforting stew? Here's a look at the process but be sure to check out all of the steps in the printable recipe card.
- Cook the bacon: To start, preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook the bacon pieces until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set on a plate, leaving any excess grease in the pan.
- Sear the chicken: Dry the chicken pieces and season them with salt and black pepper on both sides. Working in two batches, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes on the second side. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the vegetables: Add a splash of the beef broth to the bottom of the pot to deglaze it and scrape up any cooked bits on the bottom. Add the veggies and cook for 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned and a bit softened. Add in the butter and 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder. Mix well and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme and cook for another 1 minute.
- Pour in the liquid: Slowly pour in the beef broth and balsamic vinegar, stirring as you pour it. Add the chicken and bacon back into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, remove the pot from the heat, place the lid on it, and transfer it to the oven.
- Slow cook in the oven: Cook for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and increase the temperature to 400°F. Cook another 10-15 minutes uncovered to let some of the liquid reduce.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve with chopped parsley or Parmesan on top.
tips for the best results
peeling pearl onions
Pearl onions are notoriously tricky to peel. Here's an easy tip: blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water.
This will shock the onions and loosen their skins. Slice off one of the ends and squeeze the onions right out of their peels.
If you can't find pearl onions, feel free to substitute 1 large chopped yellow or white onion.
thickening the stew
The arrowroot powder is an optional thickener. If you prefer to leave it out, you can. It doesn’t make a huge difference. It will simply give you a stew with a more gravy-like consistency. Without it, the stew will be more brothy.
To thicken with arrowroot, mix together 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small dish to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the chicken stew; the broth will thicken slightly.
If you don't have arrowroot powder, another option is to create a slurry with ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum.
variations
- You can omit the mushrooms or swap them out for another low-carb vegetable like green beans or squash. You can also easily omit the bacon if preferred.
- For a creamy element, feel free to stir in ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk at the very end, just before serving.
how to store
This keto chicken stew tastes even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
what to serve with keto chicken stew
This low carb chicken stew is delicious on its own but also great served over my Mashed Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato, Roasted Mashed Cauliflower with Garlic, or Dairy-Free Mashed Cauliflower.
You can also serve it over cauliflower rice or a side salad for some extra veggies! This Fennel Cucumber Salad with Creamy Shallot Vinaigrette is my current favorite.
you might also love...
- This keto pumpkin soup is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for the fall season. Made with pumpkin, carrot, ginger, nutmeg, and chili, it's creamy and spicy at the same time. Perfect for warming you up on chilly days!
- Hearty and bold, red wine braised chuck roast is a hearty meal that features tender beef slow-cooked in a rich, Italian-inspired merlot sauce. This easy one-pot dish will become a go-to favorite and can be adapted for different types of beef cuts.
- Looking for a way to make meatballs without using bread crumbs? Try making keto Italian meatballs! Made with flaxseed meal and almond flour, it's one of those healthy family recipes perfect for a pasta night.
- This tahini bread will satiate your bread cravings with its perfect texture and delightful tahini flavor. With a little honey and rosemary, you can quickly whip up this light and tasty loaf. It's so good that even carb connoisseurs will love it!
Keto Chicken Stew (Low Carb, Gluten Free)
This keto chicken stew is hearty and full of flavor. The chicken simmers in a savory broth flavored with balsamic vinegar, vegetables, and aromatics like pearl onions and garlic.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 thick-cut pieces of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
- 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2-3 pinches fine sea salt
- 2 pinches ground black pepper
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 2 celery ribs, rough chop
- 2 carrots, rough chop
- 15-20 pearl onions (see notes for easy peeling tip and substitution)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder, divided (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2-½ cups beef broth
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- Chopped parsley or grated parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook the bacon pieces until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set on a plate. Leave any excess grease in the pan.
- Pat dry the chicken pieces and season them with salt and pepper on both sides. Working in two batches, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes on the second side. Transfer to a plate.
- Add a splash of the beef broth to the bottom of the pot to deglaze it and scrape up any cooked bites on the bottom. Add the mushrooms, celery, carrots and pearl onions to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until lightly browned and a bit softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the butter, then sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder. Mix well and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme and cook for another 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth and balsamic vinegar, stirring as you pour it. Add the chicken and bacon back into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, remove the pot from the heat, place the lid on it, and transfer it to the oven.
- Cook for 30 minutes (covered). Remove the lid and increase the temperature to 400°F. Cook another 10-15 minutes uncovered to let some of the liquid reduce.
- Remove from the oven. If the mixture looks too broth-y and you’d like it to thicken it a tad, mix together 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small dish to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the chicken stew; the broth will thicken slightly.
- Serve with chopped parsley or Parmesan on top.
Notes
- The arrowroot powder is an optional thickener. If you prefer to leave it out, you can. It doesn’t make a huge difference, it will simply give you a stew with a more gravy-like consistency.
- Beef broth might seem unusual since this is a chicken dish, but it adds a richer, more flavorful taste to the chicken stew. If you prefer to use chicken broth, feel free to substitute it.
- This is delicious on its own but also great served over mashed butternut squash and sweet potato, roasted mashed cauliflower with garlic, or dairy-free mashed cauliflower.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 439mgCarbohydrates: 10gNet Carbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 29g
This nutritional information is approximate and is provided for convenience as a courtesy.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!