Description
This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired stew made with tender chicken thighs or breasts slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines rich flavors and wholesome ingredients for a comforting meal served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Meat
- 2 pounds boneless & skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Vegetables
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Broth
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup chicken broth
Seasonings
- 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
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper. Sear them for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step is optional but adds great flavor to the dish.
- Add Vegetables to Slow Cooker: Place the sliced onion, red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a flavorful vegetable base.
- Layer the Chicken: Arrange the seared chicken pieces on top of the vegetables inside the slow cooker.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large bowl, mix together the crushed tomatoes, drained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Cook: Pour the tomato and herb mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.
- Finish the Dish: Stir in the capers, taste the sauce, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the juicy chicken and rich sauce over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish generously with fresh parsley and basil before enjoying.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking enhances the flavor but can be skipped for a quicker prep.
- Feel free to use either chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs provide more moisture and tenderness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level of the dish, or omit if you want a milder flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
