Not sure if it was missing my Dad over the 13th anniversary of his death over the weekend, or the dip in temperatures, but I had the urge to make my Dad’s Chicken Brunswick Stew.
My parents are both from Virginia, and there was a canned version of brunswick stew that my Dad loved – it came in a yellow can, and once they moved to the Chicagoland area, it was nowhere to be found.
Thankfully, in 1997 my Aunt Martha put together a family cookbook, the year before my Dad died. He wrote down his recipe and prefaced it with this:
This is an adaptation of Mrs. Fearnow’s Chicken Brunswick Stew. It took me years and countless pots of stew until I got it just right. But it was worth it!
Just the smell of this soup brings back memories of my Dad in the kitchen. 😀 I did make a few adaptations, because I do use boneless chicken breasts and I don’t add the lima beans – ew.
Chicken Brunswick Stew
This is a childhood favorite. My Dad made this recipe after many trials and errors and it continues to be a family favorite. The original recipe calls for lima beans, I am not the biggest fan, but feel free to add them if you like.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 28 ounce canned diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups white shoepeg corn
- 5 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 pounds red potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- (i also add a teaspoon of Tabasco)
- also add onions if you like!
Instructions
- Add everything to a large stock pot. I leave the chicken breasts whole to poach in the broth. After an hour, you'll be able to shred the chicken right in the pot.
- The flavors get better the longer it sits.
Notes
Two cups serving is 4 WW points. Click here for the WW tracker link.
This is pure comfort in a bowl – can’t wait to have it for my lunch later this week.
So who loves The Sandwich King on Food Network? So far I’ve liked everything he’s made (except the cod sliders -ew!). I had this on the menu last week, but Tony wasn’t feeling good so it got bumped to this week.
Chicago Italian Beef and Homemade Giardiniera. How did I not think to make my own giardiniera?? It was so simple – while it takes 2 days to make (and the flavors only get better the longer it sits), hands on time is only about 10 minutes tops.
The directions said to rinse the veggies after the overnight brine – I didn’t rinse mine enough, so while good, mine was on the salty side – and I only used 4 serano peppers, I could have easily doubled it for more of a kick. 😀 We loved how tender the meat was – my mouth is watering again as I type this. 😀
We will definitely make this again!
On I just wanted to let you guys know that I entered a recipe contest with this sandwich below – a chicken pesto meatball sub with a roasted red pepper and olive sauce. Holy shizz is this delicious! Tony wouldn’t try it, finally my neighbors got home and I shared it – his response was it was a winner! First prize is $25k, so on September 24 when I get the call that I won, I’ll be doing the best giveaway post over (or posting the recipe on the off chance I didn’t win!) 😀 It’s literally done in 30 minutes too!
I am off to do my 100 sit ups and 50 push ups – make it a great day! It’s 7:15 in the morning and 49 degrees – yikes!
Awesome! I always loved this stuff as a kid! I used to get it at the State Fair with my cousin.
What did you change about the lima beans and the chicken? I actually like bean so I’d like to try it both ways 🙂 Thanks for posting this!
just wanna put my 2 cents in on the “sketchy dude” in the skrewdriver shirt…. i took the time to talk to him, beuasce he’s been showin’ up in my photos for years… yes, that sketchy dude ain’t so fucked as some of you might think… just beuasce he was wearing a fucking shirt ??? guess freddy “madball” is a sketchy dude too… and what’s this shit about “hate squad dancing” ???? i’ve been with vision since day one of their over 20 yrs. of good shows, and almost all of those people at the court that night were old friends who stuck with them all those yrs. too….and for you pete… billie( that’s his name) has been to many, many vision shows ( goin’ back to scott hall) and has supported vision thru the years…. so maybe some of you out there oughtta free up your minds once in a while, and instead of always takin’ the “hard “stance , find out what people are about before you go off half cocked….one last thing about billy, he had a great time at that show, danced his ass off( old school style) and stepped up plenty of times ( for vision and KT)that night to sing along…. oh yeah….for anyone who signs off as anonymous…wanna be taken seriously ??? sign your name…just sayin……vision…court tavern….11/6….birthday bash !!!! be there….see what shirt billy wears…hahahahaha
I made the Chicken Brunswick last night and it was hit with my family. Thank you.
Great! My dad would be happy!
I made this and loved it! Pinned it on my new obsession – Pinterest!
I also live in Chicago and love to read your blog – so many easy down to earth recipes! Thank you! Please keep blogging!
Thanks so much! Yep, every time I make my Dad’s stew it brings such happy memories. 😀 Glad you liked it!
wow! It’s still almost 90 degrees here! Brunswick Stew is one of my Dad’s favorite things too (with lima beans, aka “butter beans” down South! and YUCK, I don’t care what you call ’em!) I’ve never attempted to make it, so maybe i’ll give it a try for him. Thanks for sharing the recipe and special memory of your Dad.
Good luck with the recipe contest!
Homemade giardineria sounds amazing! Must make!
The chicken stew sounds delish – how cute is your Dad doing his best to master his favorite stew! I’m going to make this in memory of him. I’m sure the amount of love you put into it for his memory made it even more delicious!
Awww….I bet your Dad was smiling down on you this weekend. So nice that the stew is tied to your wonderful memories. Have a great week Vat!!!
The Giardenia looks great!
I want that chicken meatball sub recipe now!!!