CAROL:
Good afternoon. Carol just a thought, you do not have to employ rice in your chicken stew, you can use pearl barley as well.
Carol as far as potatoes go you can cube a few new potates in your stew with the barley as well. Let your taste be your guide as far as spices,ete go...be sure to use a few bay leaves. Remember my friend insert the salt/pepper at the end of cooking rather than the beginning due to the evaporation of the liquids.
Good luck in your cooking project & enjoy the rest of the day young lady.

~CHEF DUNASK.