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Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a simple and flavorful recipe that you can make without pre-cooking any of the ingredients. This is an easy crock pot chicken cacciatore recipe that tastes delicious!
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Slow cooker chicken recipes are very popular. I’m often asked what my favorites are. Well, this crock pot chicken cacciatore is definitely one of my favorite easy slow cooker recipes. It is delicious!
Cacciatore (catch-ah-tory) means “Hunter” in Italian. In regards to cuisine, “alla cacciatora” means to prepare a meal “hunter-style” which is usually larger pieces of meat, such as a cut up fryer chicken or rabbit.
The meat is usually braised with onions, herbs, and often tomatoes, bell peppers, and occasionally red wine. Then it is served over pasta or other base, such as mashed potatoes.
This crock pot chicken cacciatore recipe is very easy to make as it is a “dump and go” method. Just add the ingredients and start the slow cooker.
A Few Tips for Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
• Use chicken thighs, or a cut up fryer for a true “hunter’s” version, which is more rustic. Cook time could be a little longer.
• You can use boneless/skinless chicken thighs or breasts as well. The cook time may be a bit faster without bones.
• As with most meat, the flavor is improved with browning the meat first. You can definitely do this before adding the chicken to the slow cooker.
• Be sure to dice the onion small so it cooks all the way, leaving no crunchy bits.
• If you use the red wine, use one that you enjoy drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are my favorites.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Kielbasa
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Chili
What to Serve Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore With
• Serve over spaghetti or other pasta
• Over mashed potatoes
• With Spaghetti Squash
• Over Riced or mashed cauliflower
If you make this delicious easy crock pot chicken cacciatore recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked it!
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Equipment
- 6 qt slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2-3 pounds Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs (or bone-in, or a cup up fryer)
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced (or 2 tsp Garlic Powder)
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 6-8 ounce Sliced Mushrooms
- 1 (24 oz) jar Marinara Sauce (3 cups)
- ¼ cup Red Wine*, optional
- ½ cup Water
- 1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
Optional
- 1 pound Potatoes, cubed
- 1 pound Carrots, cut in 1" pieces
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Add the diced onion to the slow cooker crock (and potatoes & carrots, if using).
- To a bowl, add the chicken thighs/parts and the olive oil, and garlic. Coat the thighs with it.
- Sprinkle on the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir together to coat the chicken thighs in the spices, then add to the crock.
- Add the bell pepper and mushrooms.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, covering it completely.
- Mix together the wine, water and tomato paste. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on Low for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken reaches 165° F. Bone-in takes longer than boneless.
- Stir before serving, spooned over pasta or cauliflower, potatoes, or other vegetables,
- Garnish with some shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Resources To Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
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Hi ……………I needed to find some instruction to refresh my memory. You gave me exactly how my mother made this meal……….So glad I found you. It’s in the Crock Pot and the aroma is great. THANK YOU SO MUCH……..
Could this be prepared the night before?
Yes, I believe so.
I have made this recipe 3 times during the pandemic. It is great! It reminds me of the cacciatore that my mom used to make. I love that it is a slow cooker recipe. My cooker is on the smaller side so it does fill it up to the brim but cooking on low I have not had any issues so far with overflow. I use the boneless skinless thighs, and it is done in about 5 hours on the low setting. I add a little extra red pepper flakes for kick and extra garlic cloves because my husband and I love garlic. I have served it over angel hair or thin spaghetti. Delicious! Thank you for this wonderful and easy recipe.