Want a dinner that tastes like a fancy restaurant meal but costs less than a fast-food run? I live for recipes like that. This Slow Cooker Harissa Chicken & Chickpea Stew is my absolute secret weapon for busy weeks, right up there with my favorite slow cooker chicken stew for cozy comfort.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen genius with almost zero effort. You just toss everything in the pot in the morning. By dinner, you have a fragrant, protein-packed stew that’s deeply satisfying.
Best of all, it leans on affordable pantry staples. You don’t need expensive ingredients to eat well. This dish proves it, delivering big Mediterranean flavors on a small budget.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick look at what you’re making. It’s as simple as it gets.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
- Category: Main Course Stew
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on Low
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (mostly hands-off!)
- Servings: 6 hearty bowls
Why This Recipe Saves You Money
Let’s talk about why this stew is so kind to your wallet. I build my whole blog around these principles.
First, chicken thighs are a budget superstar. They cost less than breasts and stay incredibly juicy during the long, slow cook, much like in this rosemary apple cider chicken. Canned chickpeas and tomatoes are pantry gold—cheap, nutritious, and shelf-stable.
Harissa paste is the only “splurge,” but a small jar lasts for many meals. It replaces a whole shelf of spices. This one ingredient builds a complex, smoky-spicy base. That’s what I call a high-impact purchase.
My Tips for Smart Shopping on a Budget
Getting the best price on ingredients is a skill. Here are my go-to strategies for this recipe and beyond.
Buy chicken thighs in family-size packs. Portion and freeze what you don’t use immediately. For harissa, check the international aisle—it’s often cheaper there than in the condiment section.
Slow Cooker Harissa Chicken & Chickpea Stew Recipe
The Budget-Friendly Ingredient List
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Harissa Chicken & Chickpea Stew Recipe!
Nutrition Information
Always opt for store-brand canned goods. Chickpeas and tomatoes are virtually identical. If you see fresh spinach on sale, grab it. If not, frozen spinach works perfectly here and is usually cheaper.
The Budget-Friendly Ingredient List
Here’s everything you need. I bet you have half of it already.
- 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 3-4 tablespoons harissa paste (adjust for heat)
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 5 oz fresh spinach (or a 10 oz block frozen, thawed and squeezed)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For serving: plain yogurt or a drizzle of olive oil (optional)
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
This is where the magic happens. Your future self will thank your morning self for these five minutes of work.
- Start by prepping. Dice your onion and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. This is the only real “work” involved.
- Build the base. In your slow cooker, combine the onion, garlic, chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, harissa, cumin, and broth. Give it a good stir to mix the harissa throughout.
- Add the chicken. Nestle the chicken thighs into the tomato mixture. Season them generously with salt and pepper. Make sure they’re mostly submerged.
- Cook it low and slow. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be fall-apart tender. Don’t be tempted to cook on HIGH—low heat develops the best flavor.
- Shred and finish. Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice. The spinach will wilt in the residual heat in minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve and enjoy. Ladle into bowls. A dollop of cool yogurt balances the heat beautifully. That’s it—dinner is served!
How to Use Up Every Last Bit (No Waste!)
I hate throwing food away. Here’s how to make sure every component of this meal gets used.
If you have leftover stew, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion it into single servings for instant freezer meals. That leftover lemon? Zest it before juicing and freeze the zest for future recipes.
If you only use part of your harissa jar, mix a spoonful into mayonnaise for a killer sandwich spread or salad dressing. Got extra spinach? Toss it into morning eggs or blend it into a smoothie.
Nutrition Notes
This isn’t just cheap food; it’s genuinely good for you. It’s a perfect example of high-protein meals that keep you full.
- High in protein from chicken and chickpeas.
- Packed with fiber from chickpeas and spinach.
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
- Naturally aligns with principles of the Mediterranean diet.
- Using lean chicken thighs keeps saturated fat in check.
Common Questions About This Recipe
I get a few questions every time I share this recipe. Here are the answers you might need.
Can I use chicken breasts instead?
You can, but I don’t recommend it for budget or texture. Breasts cost more and can dry out. Thighs stay moist and flavorful through the long cook time. They are the smarter choice here.
My stew is too thin. How can I thicken it?
No problem! Take the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. Let it simmer uncovered. You can also mash some of the chickpeas against the pot wall with a fork to naturally thicken the broth.
What can I use if I can’t find harissa?
Make a simple swap. Mix 2 tablespoons of tomato paste with 1 teaspoon each of smoked paprika and ground cumin. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat. It won’t be identical, but it will still be delicious.
This stew is a true testament to smart, resourceful cooking. It fills your kitchen with an amazing smell and your family with a fantastic meal. It checks every box: easy, healthy, affordable, and utterly delicious. If you love creamy, crave-worthy dishes, you have to try my crack chicken chili next.
It’s one of my favorite slow cooker dinner ideas for good reason. Once you try it, I think it will become a regular in your rotation, too. Let me know your own money-saving twists for this recipe in the comments below! Please leave a rating!
