Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 15-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 medium red bell pepper, diced; 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced; 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced; 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 – 2 lb); Pasta, for serving; Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

If you’ve been hunting for that perfect weeknight dinner that’s both hearty and hands-off, I’ve got you covered. This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is absolutely one of my go-to comfort foods—it’s rich, packed with veggies, and the chicken just melts apart in the sauce. I promise, once you try this, you’ll be making it on repeat. Trust me, slow cooker magic at its finest!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and forget about it—no stirring or babysitting needed.
Loaded with Flavor: The fire-roasted tomatoes and fresh herbs create a sauce that’s so rich and satisfying.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures the thighs come out juicy and easy to shred.
Vegetable-Packed: Bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions add a lovely texture and nutrition boost.

Two white bowls filled with a dish of three layers each sit on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer in each bowl is a bed of pale yellow wide pasta noodles, arranged in loose swirls. On top of the pasta is a thick, chunky mixed vegetable sauce with pieces of red tomatoes, brown mushrooms, and orange carrots, showing a rich texture. The top layer features a piece of cooked chicken thigh with light golden skin in the center, garnished with bright green chopped parsley scattered over the dish. The bowl at the bottom right is placed on a round wooden serving board with a handle, beside a small bunch of fresh leafy parsley. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in a way that just sings Italian comfort food. The fire-roasted tomatoes build a smoky base, the herbs add freshness, and the chicken thighs give you juicy, tender meat every single time.

Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: I love fire-roasted because they add subtle smokiness that brightens the sauce.
Tomato paste: This thickens the sauce and deepens the tomato flavor wonderfully.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the sauce saucy but not too salty—balance is key!
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives this cacciatore a classic, familiar vibe.
Fresh rosemary: Adds an aromatic punch; chop it finely so it distributes well.
Garlic: Because garlic basically makes everything better.
Kosher salt: Enhances all these flavors, so don’t skip it.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a hint of heat to wake up your taste buds.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and color—dice it nice and even so it cooks perfectly.
Yellow or white onion: Brings sweetness and depth as it slowly softens in the cooker.
Cremini mushrooms: They soak up the sauce and add earthiness—you can also substitute with white button mushrooms if cremini aren’t available.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: My favorite cut here—they stay juicy and flavorful after slow cooking.
Pasta: Perfect for serving; I usually choose pappardelle or rigatoni to catch all that delicious sauce.
Fresh parsley: For a bright, fresh garnish that balances the rich sauce.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is. I often tweak it depending on what’s in the fridge or what mood I’m in. You can make it your own and it’ll still come out delicious every time.

Add Olives: I’ve stirred in some sliced kalamata olives for a briny kick that takes the sauce in a new direction.
Make it Spicy: If you like heat, I double the red pepper flakes or even toss in some chopped fresh chili peppers.
Change the Protein: Sometimes I swap chicken thighs for bone-in pieces for extra flavor, or even turkey thighs for a twist.
Veggie Boost: Adding chopped zucchini or eggplant is a wonderful way to add more veggies and bulk up the meal.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Step 1: Build Your Flavor Base

Start by combining the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, fresh rosemary, minced garlic, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes directly in your slow cooker insert. I like to give it a good stir here to make sure everything is mixed and that tomato paste is evenly distributed—this helps the sauce thicken beautifully later on.

Step 2: Add the Veggies & Chicken

Next, toss in the diced red bell pepper, diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and boneless chicken thighs. Stir gently to coat the chicken and vegetables in that saucy base. You’ll notice the colors already brighten up your slow cooker—go ahead and take a peek; it’s already smelling amazing!

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set your slow cooker to low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Here’s a little secret I discovered: cooking low and slow gives you the most tender chicken, but if you’re short on time, high works fine too. Just keep an eye to make sure the veggies don’t get too mushy. The goal is tender vegetables and chicken that shreds easily with a fork—when you see that, you’re golden.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce and Serve

This is my favorite part. You can shred the chicken right in the slow cooker and stir it in for a stew-style dish, but I prefer to remove the chicken with tongs and simmer the sauce on the stove to thicken it up a bit. Just pour the sauce into a saucepan and cook it over medium-high heat for 5 to 10 minutes until it reaches a rich marinara consistency—it makes a huge difference in flavor intensity. Then tuck the chicken back in, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve over your favorite pasta. Yum!

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Brown the Chicken (Optional): I sometimes quickly sear the chicken thighs before slow cooking to add a caramelized depth, but it totally works without this step if you’re short on time.
Don’t Skip the Sauce Thicken Step: Taking the sauce to the stove to reduce it makes the flavors pop and helps it cling beautifully to pasta.
Use Chicken Thighs, Not Breasts: Thighs stay moist and tender in the slow cooker, while breasts can dry out after hours of cooking.
Add Parsley at the End: Fresh parsley on top adds color and freshness—definitely don’t skip this simple garnish.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

A white bowl sits on a wooden board with wide, flat yellow pasta noodles forming the base layer, arranged loosely around the edges. On top, a thick layer of brown cooked chicken pieces covered with a chunky sauce of red tomatoes, translucent onions, and slices of light brown mushrooms dominates the center. Small bits of green herbs are scattered on top for color contrast. A silver fork and knife rest on the bowl, with the fork partly twirling some pasta. Fresh green celery stalks are placed in the background on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley is my go-to because it adds a pop of green and a fresh bite that cuts through the rich sauce. Sometimes I toss on a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if we have it on hand—it’s the perfect finishing touch.

Side Dishes

I love serving this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with wide, rustic pasta like pappardelle or rigatoni to hold all that saucy goodness. On the side, a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli balances the meal nicely. Garlic bread is always a hit in my house too—you just can’t beat mopping up that sauce with crusty bread!

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners or special occasions, I like to serve the chicken cacciatore in a shallow pasta bowl arranged with the chicken thighs on top and lots of sauce spooned around. Sometimes I add a little drizzle of good olive oil and a few basil leaves for an elegant touch that makes it feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it usually lasts beautifully for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s perfect for leftovers the next day or two!

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers over low-medium heat on the stove so the chicken stays tender and the sauce doesn’t scorch. Adding a splash of chicken broth during reheating helps loosen the sauce if it’s thickened up too much in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe?

While you can substitute chicken breasts, I don’t recommend it. Chicken thighs stay juicier and more tender during slow cooking, whereas breasts can dry out and become stringy. If you must use breasts, keep a close eye on cooking time and consider reducing it slightly.
Is it necessary to thicken the sauce on the stove after slow cooking?

It’s not absolutely necessary, but I highly recommend it for the best flavor and texture. Thickening the sauce concentrates flavors and creates a velvety consistency that clings beautifully to pasta. Just a few minutes of simmering on the stove makes a big difference!
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Yes! This is a fantastic meal to prep ahead of time. You can assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate, then cook it the next day. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before starting the slow cooker for even cooking.
What’s the best way to serve Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore?

I love serving it over wide, sturdy pasta types like pappardelle or rigatoni which hold the thick sauce well. You can also serve it with polenta or crusty bread to soak up all those delicious juices.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially when I want something fuss-free but satisfying. It’s one of those dishes that makes the whole house smell incredible and has everyone gathering at the table. I really hope you give it a try—and when you do, you’ll see why I am head over heels for it. Promise it’ll be your new slow cooker favorite!