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What is Japanese Cream Stew?
Japanese cream stew (クリームシチュー) is one of many “yoshoku dishes,” a type of Japanese dish with Western influence. Made with chicken thigh and a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, Japanese cream stew is somewhat similar to the French stew, “Blanquette de veau.”
However, the main difference between French “blanquette de veau” and Japanese cream stew is that blanquette de veau is made with veal rather than chicken.
Japanese cream stew is supposed to be a family dish. It usesless sophisticated ingredients so that it can be enjoyed by the whole family, including kids. It’s even on the Japanese school lunch menu!
How I Developed This Recipe
When it comes to making Japanese cream stew, many people rely on store-bought roux. However, I’ve learned that you can create a delicious cream stew without it, using ingredients that are easy to find almost anywhere.
In developing this recipe, I was mindful to keep things straightforward and accessible. The goal was to craft a cream stew from scratch with simple, globally available ingredients.
The result is a recipe that’s easy to make and brings a homemade touch to this classic dish.
Ingredients & Substitution Ideas
- Boneless chicken thighs: Cut into bite-sized pieces. Chicken breast is a leaner alternative. Other alternatives include bacon, salmon, and seafood mix.
- All-purpose flour: For coating chicken and thickening stew.
- Olive oil: Substitute with other oils if unavailable.
- Yellow onion: Thinly sliced. White onions are a suitable substitute.
- Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, red bell peppers, and broccoli, all in bite-sized pieces. Alternative ingredients would be sweet potatoes, sweet corn, mushrooms, asparagus, and zucchini.
- White wine: Optional. Exclude if avoiding alcohol.
- Milk: Always use whole milk for a richer flavor.
- Chicken stock cube: I used Knorr’s chicken bouillon cube.
- Heavy cream: Enhances stew richness.
- Grated cheese: Hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino are recommended.
- Unsalted butter: Controls salt level in the dish. If using salted butter, reduce other salty ingredients.
- Parsley: Finely chopped for garnish.
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Visual Walkthrough & Tips
Here are my step-by-step instructions for how to make Japanese Chicken Cream Stew at home. For ingredient quantities and simplified instructions, scroll down for the Printable Recipe Card below.
STEP
Cut the vegetables
Wash and cut the vegetables according to this list:
- Carrots roughly chopped into bitesize pieces
- Potatoes roughly cut into bitesize pieces
- Broccoli cut into bitesize florets
- Bell pepper cut into small cubes
- Onion thinly sliced
The size of the vegetables is quite important for this recipe. They should be small enough to cook quickly but not so small that they fall apart when simmering in the broth. You should also take care to cut the vegetables into similar sizes so that they cook evenly. Most of them are added to the pot at the same time.
STEP
Coat the chicken in flour
Cut the chicken into bitesize pieces, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and then coat with a thin layer of flour. The flour will protect the chicken and help create a delicious crust, in turn each piece will pick up more flavour and help the broth stick to the surface.
This step not only improves the taste and texture of the chicken but will also contribute to thickening and flavoring the broth later.
STEP
Sear the chicken
Heat a pot or large pan on medium-high and add a drizzle of oil. (I used olive oil.)
Once hot, add the chicken and fry until browned all over. Once fully sealed, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside for later.
STEP
Fry the vegetables
Using the same pan, pour in a little more oil and add the onions, carrots, potatoes and bell peppers altogether. Fry for about 4-6 minutes or until the onions are slightly softened.
STEP
Add the chicken back in
Place the chicken back in the pan and add flour and white wine. Mix over the heat for about 3 minutes.
STEP
Add milk and chicken stock
Lower the heat and add the whole milk and chicken stock cube. (I use Knorr chicken stock cubes in this recipe.) Mix thoroughly until the chicken stock cube is dissolved.
I lower the heat at this point to prevent the milk from heating up too quickly which can scold the milk and make it curdle. Bringing the heat up slowly on a lower setting will ensure the stew is smooth; be careful not to let it boil from this point. Gentle simmer is best!
STEP
Add the other ingredients
Add the broccoli, butter and grated parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly, add the cream and then mix again.
Continue to simmer until the potato and carrots are softened and the broth is slightly thickened, this usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Mix occasionally to prevent the ingredients burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
STEP
Serve
I recommend serving Japanese cream stew with warm toasted baguette!
Enjoy!
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FAQ
What is the Origin of Japanese Cream Stew?
Curry rice and nikujaga are probably the most common comfort foods eaten at home in Japan in the winter. These dishes were originally arranged in Japan after the Meiji era (1868-1912) when meat consumption became common.
The history of cream stews, though, is a mystery. One cookbook published in 1872 lists beef and pork stews and vegetable stews such as tomato stew, but there is no description of what appears to be a cream stew made with chicken.
Although records of a similar white-sauce dish have been around since the Taisho era (1912-1926), it was not until after 1945 that its existence became widespread. It is said that the original cream stew was created as a school lunch when the food situation was not good, and the government took the lead in providing nutritious meals to children.
However, skimmed milk powder was initially used instead of milk to keep costs down. Over time, milk and cream became more common cooking ingredients used to make the cream stew as we know it today.
Is Cream Stew Usually Made With Premade Roux?
In 1966, an event occurred that would further change the history of cream stew. House Foods launched a “Stew Mix”. The development of this product began with the idea of recreating the white stew that was popular at school lunches as a powdered product that could be easily made at home. From there, cream stew spread as a common household dish in Japan.
Many families still make a cream stew using pre-made roux cubes. However, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make at home from scratch (unlike curry rice), so there is no need to go through the trouble of buying expensive Japanese cream stew roux cubes and making cream stew abroad.
If you still want to use pre-made Japanese cream stew roux, I would recommend House or S&B but I personally want you to carry on reading this post to see how simple it is to make Japanese cream stew from scratch at home using accessible ingredients!
Did Japanese Cream Stew Appear on Midnight Dinner?
Japanese cream stew has appeared in the Japanese drama “Midnight Diner,” which is available on Netflix worldwide.
The cream stew appeared in episode 6 of the second season, a touching story about a mother and daughter. If you are interested, you can watch it on Netflix.
I hope you enjoy this Cream Stew recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers.Thank you!
More Japanese Stew Recipes
- Japanese-style Beef Stew
- Homemade Japanese Beef Curry from Scratch
Japanese Chicken Cream Stew (White Stew)
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By Yuto Omura
This rich and creamy Japanese style cream stew is made with chicken and vegetables simmered in a delicious homemade soup. All you need is one pot and 30 minutes, it's so easy! Serve this dish with warm baguette for a delicious and comforting meal, especially great in the winter.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Main Course, Stews
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 portions
Calories 408
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Stews
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 4 portions
Calories: 408
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Ingredients
- 300 g boneless chicken thigh(s) cut into bitesize pieces
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 tbsp for coating and 1 tbsp for thickening the stew
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 200 g yellow onion(s) thinly sliced
- 150 g potato(s) waxy type, peeled and cut into bitesize pieces
- 150 g carrot(s) peeled and cut into bitesize pieces
- 150 g red bell pepper cubed
- 2 tbsp white wine
- 400 ml whole milk
- 1 chicken stock cube I used knorr's chicken bouilon cube
- 100 g broccoli bitesize florets
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp grated cheese preferably hard cheese like parmesan or pecorino
- 10 g unsalted butter
- ½ tsp parsley finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
Sprinkle 300 g boneless chicken thigh(s) with 1 pinch salt and 1 pinch black pepper, then coat with 1 tbsp all-purpose flour.
Heat a pot or large pan on medium high and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Once hot, place thechicken pieces in the pot with the skin side down and stir fry until browned on all sides.
Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside for later.
Using the same pan, fry 200 g yellow onion(s), 150 g potato(s), 150 g carrot(s) and 150 g red bell pepper together for 4-6 minutes or until the onions have softened.
Put the chicken back in the pot and add 2 tbsp white wine and 1 tbsp all-purpose flour. Mix thoroughly.
Turn down the heat to a simmer and add 400 ml whole milk and 1 chicken stock cube. Mix until the stock cube is dissolved.
Add 100 g broccoli , 1 tbsp grated cheese and 10 g unsalted butter, mix well and add 2 tbsp heavy cream.
Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are softened. Stir occasionally.
Garnish with 1/2 tsp parsley and serve with warm baguette.
Enjoy!
Video
Keyword chicken and brocolli stew, chicken cream stew, chicken stew, cream stew, how to make cream stew, how to make Japanese cream stew, how to make white stew, Japanese chicken stew, Japanese cream stew, Japanese cream stew recipe, Japanese white stew, s&b white stew, white stew, white stew recipe
Notes
If it gets too thick, you can add extra milk to thin it out (add a little at a time).
Nutrition
Serving: 393.5g | Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.9g | Protein: 20.3g | Fat: 26.7g | Saturated Fat: 10.06g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.27g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 387mg | Fiber: 7.1g
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