Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is an authentic Italian dish featuring tender, slow-simmered chicken thighs in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. This hearty, flavorful recipe is effortless to prepare, making it perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners that satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs
Vegetables
- 2 bell peppers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
Sauce & Liquids
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Herbs & Spices
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced flavors throughout the dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent to deepen their sweetness before adding to the slow cooker.
- Brown the Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then brown in the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side to lock in juices and add flavor. This step is optional if you’re short on time.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Layer the browned chicken, sautéed aromatics, chopped vegetables, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes into the slow cooker.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone and the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional herbs before serving to ensure every bite is perfectly balanced.
Notes
- Brown the chicken: Browning locks in flavor but is optional if short on time.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs: They stay moist and tender with slow cooking.
- Don’t lift the lid: Avoid frequent checking to maintain temperature and cooking time consistency.
- Thicken the sauce: If sauce is too thin, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to evaporate excess liquid.
- Fresh herbs addition: Add fresh basil at the end for bright, fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker, Chicken Cacciatore, Italian, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy
