Chicken Stew with Summer Vegetables and Lavender

This chicken stew with lavender combines golden chicken thighs, tender potatoes, zucchini, sweet peppers and juicy tomatoes in a fragrant, herb-infused broth. It’s a hearty yet summery dish with a subtle Provençal-inspired flavour.

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If you enjoy cooking with seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs, this summer chicken stew is worth trying. It’s substantial enough for a satisfying dinner but has plenty of light, flavourful broth rather than a thick sauce. And it’s a breeze to make, too. So, let’s dive into this chicken stew with late summer vegetables and a touch of lavender.

Cooking with Lavender: A Savoury Ingredient

Lavender is often associated with desserts, but it’s also a wonderful addition to savoury dishes. When used thoughtfully, it brings a subtle herbal character rather than an overpowering floral flavour.

How Lavender Works in Savoury Cooking

The secret to cooking with lavender is using the right amount and pairing it with complementary ingredients.

For this chicken stew with lavender, I seasoned the chicken directly with dried culinary lavender before searing. As the stew cooks, the lavender mingles with the other herbs, vegetables and broth.

A few things are worth remembering:

• Use culinary lavender. Choose food-grade dried lavender rather than decorative varieties.
• Start with a modest amount. Too much lavender can produce a perfumed or slightly bitter flavour.
• Combine it with other herbs. Thyme, rosemary and oregano help emphasize lavender’s savoury character.
• Distribute it evenly. Rub dried lavender between your fingers before adding it to your seasoning.

The Best Herbs to Pair with Lavender

Lavender works particularly well with Mediterranean herbs. You can combine several or use a prepared herbes de Provence blend.

• Thyme. Its earthy, slightly floral character complements lavender without competing with it. Lavender Chive Thyme Butter – Elegant Floral Herb Butter.
• Rosemary. Pine-like and aromatic, rosemary adds depth to chicken and potato dishes.
• Oregano. Its distinctly savoury flavour balances lavender’s more delicate notes.
• Chives. Their mild onion flavour adds freshness, particularly when sprinkled over the finished dish.

What Other Ingredients Pair Well with Lavender?

Beyond herbs, lavender pairs beautifully with several everyday savoury ingredients:

• Chicken. Its relatively mild flavour provides an excellent base for aromatic herbs.Roasted Chicken and Potatoes with Lavender – Sheet Pan Recipe.
• Potatoes. Their earthy character balances lavender’s sharper notes. Lavender Roasted Potatoes – Herb-Infused Roast.
• Tomatoes. Natural acidity and sweetness provide a pleasant contrast. Tomato Bruschetta with Mozzarella and Lavender.
• Butter. Its richness softens lavender’s herbal intensity and works particularly well with potatoes. Lavender Lemon Honey Butter – Sweet Floral Compound Butter.

What Makes This Summer Chicken Lavender Stew Special?

This chicken stew with lavender takes inspiration from the aromatic herbs associated with southern French cooking while incorporating plenty of seasonal vegetables.

Chicken Stew with Lavender: A Touch of Provençal Inspiration

Lavender and herbes de Provence give this stew its French-inspired character, although it isn’t intended to represent a traditional Provençal recipe.

Importantly, properly balanced lavender doesn’t make the chicken taste floral. Combined with other herbs and the savoury ingredients, it contributes a gentle herbal hint rather than an obvious lavender aroma.

Plenty of Summer Vegetables

This chicken stew with summer vegetables and lavender combines several ingredients that contribute different textures and flavours:

• Potatoes make the stew substantial and satisfying.
• Zucchini adds a tender, delicate texture.
• Sweet peppers contribute colour and natural sweetness.
• Cherry tomatoes release their juices, enriching the broth without requiring a heavy tomato sauce.

A Light, Brothy Stew

Unlike thick, gravy-based versions, this chicken stew with lavender has a generous amount of aromatic broth.

I deliberately kept mine quite soupy rather than reducing the liquid significantly. The vegetables release plenty of additional juices as they cook, creating a light, tomato-infused broth.

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Chicken Vegetable Stew With Lavender

This summer chicken stew with lavender relies on familiar ingredients and a generous combination of vegetables and herbs.

• Chicken thighs. Bone-in, skin-on thighs develop a lovely golden exterior when seared and remain tender during simmering.
• Potatoes. Starchy varieties such as Russets work particularly well.
• Summer vegetables. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers provide colour, texture and freshness.
• Shallots and garlic. Create a savoury aromatic base.
• Lavender and herbes de Provence. Provide the distinctive herbal flavour.
• Broth or water. Both work, although broth provides additional savoury depth.
• Oil and salt. For seasoning and browning the chicken.

What Other Vegetables Can You Add to This Chicken Stew with Lavender?

This chicken stew with zucchini and potatoes is quite adaptable. Depending on what’s available, you could also try:

• Green or yellow beans. Add extra texture and colour.
• Eggplant. Gives the stew a more Mediterranean character.
• Carrots. Contribute additional sweetness and substance.
• Fresh peas. Add a delicate sweetness toward the end of cooking.

Keep the cooking times in mind. Firmer vegetables generally need longer, while tender vegetables should be added later.

How to Make Chicken Stew with Lavender

This chicken stew with lavender comes together in several straightforward stages. The main consideration is giving the potatoes enough time to soften without overcooking the more delicate summer vegetables.

First, season the chicken generously with salt and rubbed culinary lavender. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven and sear the chicken over medium-high heat until nicely golden. Work in batches if necessary, then remove the chicken.

Add the potatoes and cook, covered, over low-medium heat for approximately 10 minutes. Once they begin to soften, add the shallots, garlic and sweet peppers. Cook for another five minutes before adding the zucchini and cherry tomatoes.

Return the chicken to the pot, add the herbes de Provence and pour in enough broth or water to fill roughly two-thirds of the pot. Cover and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.

A Few Cooking Tips

A few details help this chicken stew with potatoes develop its flavour while maintaining the right consistency.

• Brown the chicken. Searing develops flavour before the chicken finishes cooking in the broth.
• Give potatoes a head start. They need considerably longer than zucchini and tomatoes.
• Watch the zucchini. Avoid prolonged cooking if you prefer pieces that retain their shape.
• Keep the broth. This is deliberately a soupy stew, so don’t reduce the liquid too much.
• Adjust the seasoning. Taste the broth toward the end and add more salt if necessary.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this chicken stew with lavender hot, with plenty of broth in each bowl. Crusty bread is particularly lovely for soaking up the fragrant juices.

A sprinkling of fresh parsley or chives adds colour and freshness. A simple green salad would also make a nice accompaniment.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three to four days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop until thoroughly heated. The potatoes and zucchini will soften further during storage, and you may need a splash of additional broth.

More Late Summer Vegetable Recipes

Looking for more ways to enjoy seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs? Here are a few more recipes from Havoc in the Kitchen:

• Savoury Zucchini Chutney – Sweet, Tangy and Smoky
• Sautéed Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic
• Grilled Marinated Eggplant with Garlic and Herbs

I’d love for you to try this summer vegetable stew with chicken and lavender. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!