Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
A classic Italian dish that's easy to prepare in a slow cooker, featuring tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 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)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken lightly for about 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown (optional).
- Transfer browned chicken to the slow cooker or place the raw seasoned chicken directly into the slow cooker.
- Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the sliced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 3-5 minutes until browned slightly and moisture is gone. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the chicken broth and scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
- Add the sautéed vegetable mixture on top of chicken in the slow cooker. Pour in crushed tomatoes and drained diced tomatoes. Stir in Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Do a final seasoning check and add any remaining salt or pepper as needed.
- Secure the lid on the slow cooker and set to cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Shred it with two forks if desired before returning back to the pot.
Serving
- Serve the Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore over pasta, rice, or creamy polenta, or with crusty bread for dipping.
- Pair with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Notes
For best flavor, don't skip the browning step. Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what you have available. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety. Adjust spices to your liking.