Description
Chicken Cacciatore, or “hunter’s style” chicken, is a traditional Italian dish that’s hearty, rustic, and absolutely packed with flavor. This slow cooker version makes it easy to enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, and Italian herbs. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 6 bone-in chicken thighs (or 4 large chicken breasts, if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (optional, for dredging)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce:
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (any color)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the chicken:
Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. If you want a slightly thicker sauce, dredge each piece lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.Sear the chicken (optional but recommended):
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. This step locks in flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker:
Place the sliced onions and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the bell peppers and mushrooms on top. Lay the seared (or raw) chicken on the vegetable bed.Make the sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Tuck the bay leaf into the mixture.Cook:
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).Finish and serve:
Discard the bay leaf. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, or enjoy with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Customize your veggies: You can add zucchini, carrots, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
- No slow cooker? Make this on the stovetop! Sear the chicken, then simmer it with the sauce and vegetables in a large Dutch oven over low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Thicker sauce: To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken once it’s done and let the sauce simmer on high heat (or sauté mode if your slow cooker has it) for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 6 h
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore, Italian Chicken Recipe, Crockpot Chicken, Hearty Comfort Food