Heart Healthy Chicken and Rice Stew

(5.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Updated 9/25/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Diabetic
Heart Healthy Chicken and Rice Stew
Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

This heart healthy chicken and rice stew is a comforting, diabetic-friendly dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Featuring lean chicken breast, wild rice, and vibrant vegetables, it’s a low calorie meal with no saturated fat, making it ideal for a heart healthy diet. Simmered in an herb-infused, low sodium broth, this is a high proetin recipe for a delicious stew.

Check out more nutritious options in our heart healthy chicken recipes!

Total Time
150 minutes
Servings
6
Calories
209

What Makes This Heart Healthy Chicken and Rice Stew Healthy

This recipe reimagines a classic comfort food by focusing on nutrient-dense ingredients. By using lean chicken breast for protein, fiber-rich wild rice instead of refined grains, and a low-sodium broth infused with herbs, this stew delivers rich flavor while supporting a heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly diet.

Key Health Highlights

  • Low in Calories and Fat: Each serving contains just 209 calories and 1 gram of fat, with zero saturated fat.
  • High in Protein: Provides 26 grams of lean protein per serving to support muscle health and keep you feeling full.
  • Diabetic-Friendly: Made with whole-grain wild rice, which is high in fiber to help manage blood sugar levels.
  • Low in Sodium: Contains 453 mg of sodium per serving by using a low-sodium broth, helping to support healthy blood pressure.

FAQs About Heart Healthy Chicken and Rice Stew

Yes, when made with lean protein, whole grains like wild rice, and plenty of vegetables in a low-sodium broth, it's a very healthy and balanced meal.

Wild rice and brown rice are the healthiest options. They are whole grains rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which is better for blood sugar control than white rice.

Yes, wild rice is a great heart-healthy choice. It's high in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, and it's a good source of antioxidants.

Absolutely. We've included simple instructions for both methods in the section above to make this recipe even more convenient.

This recipe contains approximately 209 calories per one-cup serving, making it a satisfying low-calorie meal.

More Heart-Healthy Chicken Dinners

Easy & Nutritious Ideas

Heart Healthy Chicken Casserole
Heart Healthy Chicken Stir Fry (Low Cholesterol Dinner)
Heart Healthy Balsamic Chicken
Heart Healthy Chicken Parmesan

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Ingredients

Recipe yields 6 servings

Directions

  1. Step 1

    In a saucepan, combine onion, garlic, carrots, chicken, chicken broth and thyme and cook over low heat for 1 hour.

  2. Step 2

    Add the potatoes, wild rice and green beans and cook for an additional 1 1/2 hours. Add pepper to taste, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
1 cup

209
Calories
1
g
Fat
44
mg
Cholesterol
453
mg
Sodium
26
g
Carbs
0
g
Sat. Fat
4
g
Fiber
26
g
Protein

Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Instructions

  • Slow Cooker: Combine all ingredients except green beans in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Add green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Instant Pot: Sauté onion and garlic. Add chicken, broth, thyme, potatoes, and rice. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Quick release pressure, stir in green beans, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving & Storage Tips

  • To Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
  • To Store: Let the stew cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To Freeze: This stew freezes well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • For a Creamy Stew: Stir in a splash of coconut milk or evaporated skim milk at the end of cooking.

  • Different Vegetables: Feel free to add celery, peas, or mushrooms along with the carrots.

  • Alternative Grains: Brown rice can be used instead of wild rice, but cooking times may need to be adjusted.

More Heart Healthy Chicken Recipes

If you enjoy chicken and rice recipes, there are many healthy options to choose from, including Butter Chicken, Ginger Chicken, and this Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole. You’ll also find that chicken and vegetable recipes are healthy, easy and family-friendly weeknight meals.