Hopkins County Stew

Name: Hopkins County Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken parts, preferably breast; 4 cups unsalted chicken stock; 2 1/2 teaspoons salt; 4 medium potatoes, diced; 1 large onion, diced; 2 cups diced canned tomatoes; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 2 teaspoons chili powder, preferably Gebhardt's; 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper; 2 cups whole kernels canned corn; 1 (16 ounce) can cream-style corn; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Submitted by True Texas

"When husband & I did Civil War Re-enactments we went to a festival in Hopkins County, Texas. The community cooks this stew as a competition at the festivals. They have been making this kind of stew since the early 1900's and it's quite a tradition with them. We ate it then and loved it. Recently I looked for a recipe on the internet and sure enough it was there at inmamaskitchen.com. You can use fresh,frozen or canned corn."

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photo by Kelly J.

Ready In:: 3hrs 20mins
Ingredients:: 13
Serves:: 8

ingredients

2 lbs chicken parts, preferably breast
4 cups unsalted chicken stock
2 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons salt
4 medium potatoes, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 cups diced canned tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder, preferably Gebhardt's
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper
2 cups whole kernels canned corn
1 (16 ounce) can cream-style corn
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

directions

Assuming you don't have a huge iron pot, use a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot for cooking the stew. Place the chicken in a pot with the stock and salt.
Over medium heat, simmer the chicken until it is tender and cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken, and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle.
Bring the stock to a simmer, and add the potatoes and onion. Simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
In the meantime, skin, bone, and shred or dice the chicken. Return it to the pot, along with the tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer again. Add both types of corn and the butter.
Cover the pot and continue simmering the stew for at least 30 minutes, until it is quite thick. Stir the stew up from the bottom frequently to prevent scorching, and add a little water if it starts to get dry. Don't let it boil - that would toughen the chicken. Continue to cook very low heat for a couple of hours.
This stew is tasty with cornbread. In Hopkins County, though, it's usually served with fistful of crackers, slices of cheese, and plenty of pickles.

Questions & Replies

My mother in law always added a couple handfuls of macaroni noodles but I can't find a recipe for Hopkins county stew with that in it.

Lesley T.

Reviews

From Albuquerque, New Mexico, 12-18-08 I lived in Sulphur Springs most of my life and Hopkins County Stew was served and eaten at the schools ,churches, fairs and special family get togethers. On Thursday's, I would go to the elementary school and eat Hopkins County Stew with my niece, Jade. This stew is so very good you will want it all the time .

VICKI G.
This recipe was a favorite of mine growing up in Sulphur Springs! Many recipes for this dish are out there-they also served it at school and everyone ate Hopkins County Stew on those days. Must try this recipe.

Texas
I used this recipe today. I used rotisserie chicken and chicken broth and I did add some fresh garlic and this was probably the best version I’ve ever made and I know it’s one of the best versions I’ve ever had having eaten at the Hopkins County Stew Festival for 20 years.

Kelly J.
Thank God for my East Texas hieratage. This is the best stew hands down. It’s the only one we make. I’ve made sure my kids carry on the tradition of making Hopkins Co. Stew.

Kelli C.