Description
This hearty and flavorful Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting Italian classic made easy with tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a hands-off slow cooker meal that delivers deep, satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds boneless & skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 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 tablespoon olive oil
- 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
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons capers
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Optional Sear 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 on each side until golden brown to enhance flavor.
- Prepare Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Add the sliced onion, red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic into the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful vegetable base.
- Add Chicken: Layer the seared or raw chicken thighs/breasts on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Make Tomato Sauce: In a large bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and pepper. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Pour Sauce and Cook: Pour the prepared tomato mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Finish and Season: Stir in the capers, then taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve hot over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, garnished with fresh parsley and basil for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker is optional but adds depth of flavor.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with breasts, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful in slow cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Great served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
