If you’re craving something hearty, comforting, and bursting with Italian flavors without standing over the stove all day, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe. I absolutely love how the slow cooker transforms tender chicken thighs into a rich, saucy meal packed with veggies and herbs that tastes like it’s been simmering all day—because it has! Stick with me here, and I’ll share the exact steps and tips to make sure your chicken cacciatore turns out just right every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Flavor Depth: Slow cooking lets the chicken soak up all the herbs, spices, and tomato goodness, making every bite rich and tender.
- Hands-Off Convenience: You can prep in just 15 minutes, set the slow cooker, and come back to a delicious dinner without fuss.
- Customizable & Family-Friendly: You can easily swap veggies or add spice depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry.
- Perfect for Meals Ahead: This recipe tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for leftovers or freezing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe uses classic, pantry-friendly ingredients that complement each other beautifully and develop that signature Italian flavor. Picking quality canned tomatoes and fresh herbs makes a world of difference.
- Chicken thighs or breasts: I prefer thighs because they stay juicy and tender after slow cooking, but breasts work well if you want leaner meat.
- Olive oil: Adds a lovely richness, especially when searing the chicken before slow cooking.
- Yellow onion: Gives a sweet base flavor that mellows and softens as it cooks.
- Red and green bell peppers: I love the colorful crunch and slight sweetness they add, but you can use whichever peppers you have.
- Mushrooms: Adds earthiness and texture that pairs perfectly with the tomato sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic makes all the difference—you’ll taste the brightness.
- Crushed and diced tomatoes: Use good quality canned tomatoes for the best sauce—this combo gives a chunky yet saucy consistency.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth and keeps everything moist during the long cook.
- Italian seasoning and dried herbs: Basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning bring in those classic Mediterranean aromas and flavors.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a hint of heat, toss these in—but feel free to skip if you’re serving kids.
- Capers: Trust me on this one—they add a bright, salty pop that’s delicious at the end.
- Fresh parsley and basil: For garnish and fresh herbal notes that brighten the dish right before serving.
Variations
I love how forgiving this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is when it comes to tweaks. You can make it your own depending on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences—this recipe really welcomes creativity!
- Vegetarian Version: I’ve swapped chicken for hearty eggplants or zucchini for a meatless option that still feels like a full meal.
- Spicy Kick: When I want a little more heat, I add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot paprika—my family actually asks for this version!
- White Wine Swap: Sometimes I replace the chicken broth with dry white wine for a touch of acidity and complexity.
- Different Proteins: Turkey thighs work well too, and I’ve even adapted this for bone-in chicken pieces with longer cook times.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
This step is optional but trust me, it’s worth it. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, season your chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper, and sear them for about 2–3 minutes per side until they get a nice golden crust. This browning adds depth and caramelized flavor you just can’t get from slow cooking alone. If you’re short on time, you can skip this, but try it at least once—you’ll notice the difference.
Step 2: Layer Your Veggies in the Slow Cooker
Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic right into the bottom of your slow cooker. I like to give the veggies a little stir so the garlic is evenly spread. They’ll soften and mingle with the sauce while the chicken cooks on top.
Step 3: Add the Chicken on Top of the Veggies
Simply place your browned (or raw) chicken pieces over the vegetables. This layering lets the chicken juices drip down into the veggies, flavoring them as everything cooks low and slow.
Step 4: Mix and Pour the Tomato Sauce
In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to blend all those flavors and then pour it evenly over your chicken and veggies.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is juicy and falls apart easily. This slow cooking time is perfect for letting the sauce thicken and the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 6: Stir in Capers and Adjust Seasoning
Once your chicken is cooked through, stir in the capers. They add a bright, briny lift to the rich sauce. Taste and season with more salt or pepper if needed before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Searing Adds Flavor: I learned early on that searing the chicken before slow cooking bumps up the flavor big time, so I never skip it when I have a few extra minutes.
- Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker: Giving the chicken and veggies a bit of breathing room helps the sauce thicken nicely—crowding can make things watery.
- Use Fresh Herbs for Garnish: I always save fresh parsley and basil for the very end because it gives the dish a bright, fresh finish that dried herbs just can’t replicate.
- Adjust Salt at the End: Ingredients like capers add saltiness, so wait until the end to really nail the seasoning to avoid oversalting.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh parsley and torn basil leaves over the top before serving—it livens up the dish visually and adds that fresh herbal note that balances out the rich tomato sauce perfectly. Sometimes a little shaved Parmesan works wonders, too!
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe are simple pasta (like spaghetti or pappardelle), creamy mashed potatoes, or even polenta. For a lighter option, steamed rice or crusty garlic bread to mop up the sauce is fantastic.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like to serve individual portions in shallow bowls with a twist of lemon zest on top—it adds brightness and looks so inviting. Another favorite is plating it over a bed of roasted veggies for a low-carb, colorful plate that impresses without extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better. Just make sure the chicken is cooled before sealing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe freezes beautifully—I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags (labelled with the date of course!) and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through, which helps keep the chicken juicy and the sauce from drying out. The microwave works too, but take care to cover the dish and heat in short bursts to avoid hot spots.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe?
Absolutely! While thighs are my favorite because they stay tender and juicy in the slow cooker, chicken breasts can work just fine. Just keep in mind that breasts can dry out a bit if overcooked, so I recommend cooking on low for less time or checking a bit earlier.
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Is it necessary to sear the chicken before slow cooking?
It’s not required, but I highly recommend it. Searing the chicken adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a rich golden color to the dish. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip it, but if you want maximum flavor, take the extra 10 minutes to brown the chicken first.
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Can I make this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe spicy?
Definitely! Adding red pepper flakes is an easy way to spice things up, and you can adjust the amount to your taste. For a deeper heat, I sometimes add a touch of cayenne or hot paprika as well.
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What should I serve with Chicken Cacciatore?
This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce. I also love serving it with crusty bread for mopping up every last bit. Pick whatever you love best!
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is one of those meals that makes you feel like you spent hours in the kitchen, even when you barely did. It’s a staple in my rotation when I want something simple but impressive. I recommend giving it a try—you’ll love coming home to a house filled with the aroma of slow-simmered Italian goodness and a meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Trust me, your family will go crazy for this one!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting Italian-inspired slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with bell peppers, mushrooms, and a flavorful tomato sauce infused with herbs and garlic. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, it requires minimal prep and delivers rich, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds boneless & skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons capers
Garnish
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step is optional but adds great flavor.
- Prepare Vegetables: Add the sliced onion, red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base.
- Layer the Chicken: Place the seared chicken pieces on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, ensuring even layering.
- Mix Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, oregano, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors together.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and can be easily pulled apart.
- Finish with Capers: Stir in the capers and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Spoon the chicken and sauce over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and garnish with fresh parsley and basil before serving.
Notes
- Searing the chicken is optional but recommended for added depth of flavor.
- Use boneless thighs for juicier results, but breasts work fine too.
- Feel free to adjust herbs and spices to your taste preference.
- Serve over your choice of carbs like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup of chicken and sauce)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
