🍗🍅 Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian comfort dish made with tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce with peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs. The name cacciatore means “hunter-style,” referring to this hearty countryside-style preparation.

Prep Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 6–8 hours
• Total: About 7 hours

Servings

6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken & Vegetables

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 4 chicken breasts)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Herb Sauce

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley or basil
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the Chicken (Optional but Recommended)

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet.
3. Sear chicken skin-side down for 3–5 minutes until golden.
4. Transfer to slow cooker.

2. Add Ingredients

1. Place onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in the slow cooker.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and wine.
3. Stir in herbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
4. Place chicken on top.

3. Slow Cook

• Cook on:
  • LOW: 6–8 hours
  • HIGH: 3–4 hours

Chicken should be tender and easily pull away from the bone.

4. Finish the Sauce

1. Remove bay leaf.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and Parmesan before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• 🍝 Spaghetti or pasta
• 🍚 Creamy polenta
• 🥖 Crusty Italian bread
• 🥔 Mashed potatoes
• 🥗 Fresh salad

Variations

🍷 Tuscan Chicken Cacciatore

Add:

• Olives
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Spinach

🧄 Creamy Chicken Cacciatore

Stir in at the end:

• ½ cup heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

🌶 Spicy Version

Add:

• Extra chili flakes
• Hot peppers

Storage

• Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze with sauce for up to 3 months.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Tips for Best Results

• Chicken thighs stay juicier during long cooking than chicken breasts.
• Browning the chicken adds a deeper, richer flavor.
• Let the sauce simmer uncovered for a few minutes if you prefer it thicker.
• The flavors become even better after resting overnight.