Description
This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it requires minimal prep and utilizes slow cooking to develop deep flavors and tender meat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons capers
Garnish
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and sear them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they are lightly golden. This step locks in flavor and adds a nice color to the meat.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: Add sliced onion, red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. This creates the flavorful vegetable bed for the chicken.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together the crushed tomatoes, drained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and additional salt and pepper to taste. Pour this sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Cook until the chicken is very tender and infused with the rich tomato and herb flavors.
- Finish with Capers and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in the capers into the slow cooker, taste the sauce, and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the chicken cacciatore over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and basil to add a bright herbaceous note that complements the savory sauce.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid and cook on high for the last 30 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To make this meal gluten-free, ensure your chicken broth and canned tomatoes are labeled gluten-free.
