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Cozy BBQ Chicken Stew

Section: Evening Favorites

This stew has juicy chicken pieces spiced up with smoky paprika and garlic. It cooks in rich chicken broth with BBQ sauce, sweetcorn, pinto beans, and chopped veggies like onions, peppers, and carrots. Fresh parsley lifts the flavors, making a smoky, warm, and cozy meal great for chilly nights. The mix of hearty protein and fresh veggies gives a nice, comforting feel. Topping it off with sour cream or red onion makes it even better.

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Lindsey
Created By Lindsey
Most recently updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:54:46 GMT
Bowl filled with chicken and veggie stew. Save
Bowl filled with chicken and veggie stew. | cookbing.com

This smoky BBQ chicken stew mixes tender chicken chunks with colorful veggies and beans for a cozy dish you can enjoy any evening. It’s warm and satisfying without feeling heavy or tricky to make.

After a long day, I whipped this up for something quick and comforting. It quickly became a go-to for cold nights or casual hangouts.

What You Need

  • Chicken stock: adds a tasty broth base
  • Fresh parsley: finely chopped for a fresh finish
  • Pinto beans: rinse well for creaminess and fiber without extra salt
  • Garlic powder: adds a gentle savory touch
  • Chicken breast: cut into small pieces so they cook fast and evenly
  • Fresh garlic: chopped to bring a fragrant hit
  • Onion, carrot, and red bell pepper: diced to soften and sweeten the soup’s flavor
  • Salt and black pepper: for simple seasoning
  • Sweetcorn: gives a nice sweet crunch
  • Smoked paprika: the key smoky spice that makes this soup stand out, try to use fresh for best taste
  • Olive oil divided: some for cooking chicken and some for the veggies
  • BBQ sauce: the star here with sweet, tangy, and smoky notes; pick your favorite brand since it sets the tone
  • Dried oregano: adds a little herbal balance to the BBQ flavor

How To Make It

Season The Chicken:
Coat the chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper so every bite is packed with flavor.
Brown The Meat:
Heat a spoon of olive oil over medium heat in a big pot. Place chicken pieces in a single layer and cook till they get a nice golden crust on all sides. This locks in juicy flavor. Set them aside.
Cook The Veggies:
Add the rest of the olive oil to the pot then toss in the onion, carrot, and red pepper. Let them cook for about five minutes until soft and a bit sweet. This builds the base flavor.
Add The Garlic:
Stir in the fresh garlic and cook for just a minute till you can smell its aroma. This step makes the whole dish taste richer.
Mix Chicken With BBQ Sauce:
Put the browned chicken back in the pot. Pour the BBQ sauce over and stir to coat everything well. This brings together smoky and sweet flavors.
Throw In Beans, Corn, And Stock:
Pour in the rinsed pinto beans, sweetcorn, and chicken stock. Stir to mix. Bring the soup to a boil then lower heat and let it simmer gently for around 10 minutes so flavors blend and chicken finishes cooking.
Add The Parsley And Final Touches:
Stir in fresh parsley to brighten the stew. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, and if you like, top with extra herbs or chopped red onion for a bit of crunch.
A bowl of BBQ chicken soup with a spoon in it.
A bowl of BBQ chicken soup with a spoon in it. | cookbing.com

BBQ sauce really steals the show with its smoky and sweet balance. This dish always reminds me of family dinners where everyone passes around extra hot sauce and fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Keeping It Fresh

Pop leftovers in the fridge with a tight lid for up to three days. Warm it gently on the stove or microwave. Add a splash of stock or water if it’s gotten too thick.

Switch It Up

You can swap chicken breast for thighs if you want a richer taste. Pinto beans can be swapped with black or kidney beans. For a meat-free option, double the beans and use vegetable stock instead.

How To Serve

Try it with crusty warm bread or over rice for a heartier meal. A spoonful of sour cream or plain yogurt adds creaminess and cuts the smoky notes nicely.

A bowl of BBQ chicken soup with a spoon in it.
A bowl of BBQ chicken soup with a spoon in it. | cookbing.com

This BBQ chicken soup is simple and comforting, great for any night you want something quick and tasty.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ Which chicken cut is best for this stew?

Chicken breast is great since it cooks evenly and stays tender in the broth.

→ Can I swap store-bought BBQ sauce for homemade?

For sure! Homemade BBQ sauce lets you tweak the sweetness and smokiness to your taste.

→ How do beans and sweetcorn change the stew’s feel?

Sweetcorn and pinto beans add a little sweetness and creaminess that balance the smoky chicken nicely.

→ What's a good way to add some heat?

Try cayenne pepper or fresh jalapeños for a gentle spice that goes well with the smoky flavor.

→ How should I reheat leftovers without losing flavor?

Heat it slowly on low, stirring now and then to keep the chicken tender and avoid the BBQ sauce separating.

→ Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?

Yep, vegetable stock keeps things tasty but makes the stew lighter and good for various diets.

BBQ Chicken Stew

Smoky BBQ sauce with juicy chicken, veggies, and beans come together in this comforting stew.

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
30 minutes
Overall Time
50 minutes
Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Difficulty: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yielded: 6 Number of Servings

Diet Preferences: Dairy-Free Option

Ingredients List

→ Proteins

01 680 g chicken breast, chopped into small pieces

→ Seasonings

02 1 tsp smoked paprika
03 ½ tsp salt
04 ¼ tsp ground black pepper
05 1 tsp dried oregano
06 1 tsp garlic powder

→ Veggies

07 200 g sweetcorn, rinsed and drained
08 1 medium carrot, chopped
09 2 big garlic cloves, roughly chopped
10 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
11 ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped roughly
12 1 medium onion, chopped

→ Legumes

13 400 g pinto beans, rinsed and drained

→ Liquids

14 2 tbsp olive oil, split
15 960 ml chicken stock
16 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

Stir in chopped parsley, taste and tweak seasonings, then dish out hot. If you want, add chopped red onion or extra parsley on top.

Step 02

Pour in pinto beans, sweetcorn, and chicken stock. Let it come to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 03

Put the chicken back in the pot and pour the BBQ sauce over it. Stir everything so it mixes well.

Step 04

Toss in the garlic bits and cook for about a minute until you can really smell it.

Step 05

Add the rest of the olive oil to your pot. Throw in the onion, carrot, and red pepper, cooking them for about 5 minutes till they soften up.

Step 06

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil on medium in a big pot. Brown the chicken pieces all over. Take them out and set aside.

Step 07

Put the chicken in a bowl and sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper on it. Toss so the pieces get coated evenly.

Helpful Hints

  1. Feel free to add more or less BBQ sauce to fit your liking. Want some heat? Throw in cayenne or jalapeño pieces. Top with red onion, parsley, or a dollop of sour cream if you like.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

  • Big cooking pot
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.
  • Has chicken; check BBQ sauce for any stuff that might cause allergies

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.
  • Calorie Count: 350
  • Fat Content: 12 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 30 grams
  • Protein Amount: 35 grams