Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The slow cooker does all the work—just set it and forget it.
• The chicken becomes incredibly tender and flavorful as it simmers in the sauce.
• Packed with vegetables and classic Italian herbs for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
• Perfect served over pasta, rice, or polenta.
• Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• Olive oil
• Onion (sliced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Bell peppers (red, yellow, or green, sliced)
• Mushrooms (sliced)
• Crushed or diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth or dry white wine
• Italian seasoning
• Dried oregano
• Bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare the chicken. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Optional: lightly brown them in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side to enhance flavor.
2. Add vegetables. Place onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Add the chicken. Place the seasoned (and optionally browned) chicken on top of the vegetables.
4. Make the sauce. In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, broth or wine, Italian seasoning, oregano, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Slow cook. Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (165°F/74°C).
6. Finish and serve. Discard the bay leaf. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving. Serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4–6 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 6 hours (Low) or 3–4 hours (High)
Total time: 6–6½ hours

Variations

• Add olives or capers for a briny, Mediterranean twist.
• Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes or sliced chili peppers.
• Use boneless chicken for easier serving and shredding.
• Add vegetables like zucchini or carrots for extra heartiness.
• Creamy version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or mascarpone at the end for a richer sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until hot. For longer storage, freeze in portioned containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

What does “Cacciatore” mean?

“Cacciatore” means “hunter” in Italian—it refers to a rustic, hearty stew made with chicken, tomatoes, and herbs.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful after slow cooking.

Should I brown the chicken first?

It’s optional but recommended—it adds extra depth of flavor and helps seal in juices.

Can I add wine to the sauce?

Yes, a splash of dry white or red wine enhances the flavor beautifully.

What should I serve it with?

Pasta, polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread all work perfectly.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes—replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Can I cook it overnight?

Yes, on Low for 6–7 hours—it’s ideal for prepping before bed or in the morning for dinner.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking or stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or cornstarch slurry.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, it reheats well and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Is it freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. Freeze in portions for up to 2 months and reheat directly from frozen or thawed.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is the perfect balance of ease, comfort, and classic Italian flavor. With its tender chicken, robust tomato sauce, and fragrant herbs, it’s a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Ideal for family dinners or meal prepping, this simple slow cooker recipe delivers delicious results every time with minimal effort.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish where chicken slowly simmers in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and herbs. The result is tender, flavorful chicken in a hearty sauce that’s perfect over pasta, rice, or polenta.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (Low) or 3–4 hours (High)
• Total Time: 6–6½ hours
• Yield: 4–6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 2 lbs bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Optional: Brown in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side to enhance flavor.
2. Place onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Add the seasoned or browned chicken on top of the vegetables.
4. In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth or wine, Italian seasoning, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (165°F/74°C).
6. Discard the bay leaf. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving. Serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Notes

• Browning the chicken first deepens the flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
• For a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Add olives or capers for a briny twist, or red pepper flakes for spice.
• Store leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Best served with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 120mg