Low Carb Greek Chicken Stew

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This Greek Chicken Stew is packed with morsels of mouthwatering chicken, Mediterranean-inspired spices and seasonings, and a medley of low-carb roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and capers. Served over cauliflower rice, this chicken stew is low-carb comfort food at its best.

overhead photo of a bowl of Greek chicken stew with a pot of stew next to it

This low-carb chicken stew recipe is inspired by the simple, deeply savory, and satisfying flavors of Greek "stifatho" (also spelled stifado). Stifado is a centuries-old Greek stew traditionally made with pork, rabbit, or beef. We're using juicy chicken thighs for this classic Greek chicken stew!

This chicken stifado is rich and warming with a pleasantly sweet and slightly sour flavor. It's perfect for weekends, especially during wintry weather, because it's made with mainly preserved and pantry-stable jarred veggies, which are always in season!

The chicken is braised in a Dutch oven or cast iron pot, so it's extra tender, moist, and flavorful. It tastes like a million bucks, but it's budget-friendly and a great dinner for large families. Serve with a side of fluffy cauliflower rice, short macaroni-style pasta, and more!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's very similar to Greek stifado but with chicken.
It's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and dinner parties.
Everything comes together quickly in one pot.
It's a fantastic freezer meal!

Ingredients You'll Need

ingredients for greek chicken stew on a counter measured out for cooking

EVOO - Coating the bottom of your Dutch oven with olive oil helps brown the chicken skins and sweat the onions and garlic.
Chicken thighs - Greek stifado is traditionally made with other meats, but chicken thighs are fantastic in a stew. They're cheaper than breasts and contain more fat, adding more flavor and moisture to the meat. Make sure to buy bone-in skin-on chicken thighs. Bone-in meat is more juicy and flavorful.
Greek seasoning - The one I use from The Spice and Tea Exchange has oregano, garlic, pepper, onion, sea salt, feta powder, and lemon zest. Cavender’s all-purpose Greek seasoning is another great option that is easily found in most grocery stores.
Salt and black pepper - Enhances the naturally homey, rustic flavors.
Onion & garlic - This pair of aromatics enhances the deep, savory flavors.
Lemon juice - Brightens the stew with citrus undertones.
Oregano - Fresh or dried to heighten the Greek flavors.
Chicken stock - For the richest flavor, be sure to use stock, NOT broth, as the liquid element of your stew.
Jarred ingredients - A medley of Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, capers, and sun-dried tomatoes set this Greek chicken stew apart from the rest.
Cauliflower rice - To make it from scratch, you will need cauliflower florets, EVOO, salt, and pepper. Alternately, you can use frozen cauliflower rice and cook it according to the package directions.

How To Make Low Carb Greek Chicken Stew

Step 1: Prepare to make stew. First, work through the prep work. It may seem like a lot of chopping, but it's worth the extra effort. While you're working on preparing the ingredients, preheat the oven to 450F.

Step 2: Brown chicken. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season on both sides with salt, pepper, and Greek seasoning.

chicken thighs seasoned with greek seasoning, salt and pepper

Once hot, add the chicken, skin side down, and cook until the skin is browned.

Then, flip each piece, add the onion, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano to the pot, and cook until the onions soften.

browned chicken thighs in a dutch oven with onions, garlic, and oregano

Step 3: Simmer. Add in the chicken stock, olives, red peppers, capers, and sun-dried tomatoes, and give everything a good stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, immediately cover, transfer the Dutch oven to your preheated oven, and cook for 25 minutes.

greek chicken stew ready to braise in a dutch oven

Step 4: Make cauliflower rice. Meanwhile, make the cauliflower rice. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add cauliflower florets, and cook until al dente. Drain well, then transfer back to the pot with oil, salt, and pepper.

cauliflower florets in a pot with a fork

Gently break apart the florets with a fork or potato masher until the consistency resembles rice.

Recipe Tips

Mise en place! Once you start cooking, this stew comes together quickly, so it's helpful to have each element prepped and portioned before getting started.
A reader mentioned having success adapting the recipe for the Instant Pot. They first browned the thighs in SAUTE mode, then sauteed the onions and garlic, and finally added everything else to the pot and cooked in MEAT/STEW mode for 15 minutes.

Variations

There's always room for more veggies in a chicken stew. These add-ins pair perfectly with the rustic, Mediterranean flavors.

Artichoke hearts
Cannellini beans
Cauliflower
Chickpeas
Eggplant
Potatoes

As for how to serve, this Greek stew is fantastic topped with crumbled feta cheese or freshly grated parmesan, fresh chopped herbs, and a side of crusty bread. If carbs aren't a concern, serve this stew with one of these dishes instead of cauliflower rice.

Orzo
Rice
Quinoa
Lemon rice
Polenta
Cous Cous
Mashed Potatoes

Greek chicken stew in a pot with a large serving spoon

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Let cool, then keep cooked chicken stew in a covered airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing: This Greek chicken stew freezes well and won't separate like stews thickened with cornstarch. To freeze, transfer the cooled stew to a freezer-safe container, leaving about a ½" of space at the top to accommodate for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe FAQ

What is Greek stifado traditionally made with?

Stifado, a traditional Greek meat stew, usually contains pork, rabbit, lamb, or beef, LOTS of onions, and plenty of herbs and spices in a full-bodied, thick stock.

How do I thicken chicken stew?

If your stew hasn't thickened to your liking after braising for 25-30 minutes, you can stir in a slurry made with warm stock and corn starch or arrowroot flour. Stir the mixture into the stew, and simmer until it thickens.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

I don't see why not! If your slow cooker doesn't have a saute function, brown the chicken thighs, and saute the onions and garlic in a skillet. Then, transfer the chicken thighs to the slow cooker, top with the onions and the remaining ingredients, and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

Greek stew with chicken in a blue bowl with a dutch oven of stew behind it

More Soups and Stews You'll Love

Fresh Okra Stew

Mediterranean Vegetable Beef Stew

Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew

Prime Rib Soup

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Greek chicken stew over cauliflower rice in a blue bowl

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Amee Livingston

Hi, I'm Amee and I'm completely obsessed with all things fitness, recipe makeovers, and creating tasty, time-saving, recipes. Born and raised in South Carolina, I have a deep love for southern food culture. I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Cancer Exercise Specialist, recipe developer, and freelance content creator. I believe that anyone can be an amazing home cook, and there's nothing better than family time around the table!