Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore: A Flavor-Packed Italian Feast Made Easy

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is the perfect dish for when you want the rich, savory flavors of Italy with minimal effort. Tender chicken thighs simmer slowly in a hearty tomato sauce, infused with herbs, vegetables, and a touch of red wine vinegar. This dish is bursting with the flavors of garlic, mushrooms, and fresh parsley, all balanced perfectly by the tanginess of tomatoes. Whether you’re preparing this for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.

Photo bypinterest

The beauty of this Chicken Cacciatore is how the slow cooker does most of the work for you. After a quick sear on the chicken, everything goes into the pot to cook low and slow, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become melt-in-your-mouth tender. With the addition of mushrooms, bell peppers, and a medley of herbs, the sauce becomes rich and hearty, perfect for serving over pasta or with crusty bread.

The Secret to Rich and Flavorful Chicken Cacciatore

The key to this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore lies in building layers of flavor. Searing the chicken before slow-cooking locks in the juices and adds depth to the overall dish. The combination of vegetables — like onions, garlic, carrots, and bell peppers — adds a sweet, aromatic base to the tomato sauce. Simmering the sauce with dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil ensures a fragrant and flavorful result. The splash of red wine vinegar brightens the sauce, balancing out the richness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

A Traditional Italian Favorite Made Simple

Chicken Cacciatore, or “hunter’s stew,” is a traditional Italian dish with deep roots in rustic, countryside cooking. It typically features a tomato-based sauce with a blend of herbs and vegetables, and it was often made with game meat. In this modern take, tender chicken thighs make for a juicy, flavorful base, and using a slow cooker simplifies the process without compromising on taste. This version captures the essence of Italian home cooking while adapting it for the convenience of today’s kitchen.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 4 Servings):

• Calories: 283 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Sugar: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 820mg

Cooking Tips

When searing the chicken, make sure the pan is hot to get a good golden crust on the outside. This not only locks in the juices but also adds a delicious depth of flavor. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken — you may need to do it in batches. If you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, you can substitute it with dried parsley, but fresh will provide the best flavor. For an extra flavor boost, try adding a splash of red wine to the sauce along with the vinegar.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftover Chicken Cacciatore in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You can also freeze this dish for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove over medium heat.

Photo bypinterest

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (700g/24.7oz)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed (or use 1 tablespoon of jarred minced garlic)
• 250g (8.8oz) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small carrot, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 800g (28oz) chopped tomatoes in rich tomato sauce, canned
• ½ teaspoon each of dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil
• Pinch of red pepper (chili) flakes
• 1 handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 chicken stock cube (or use 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon paste)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. (If your slow cooker has a sauté/sear function, you can use that instead.)
2. Season the chicken thighs well on both sides with salt and black pepper.
3. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken thighs and lightly sear each side until golden. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
5. Add the chopped onions, garlic, mushrooms, carrot, and bell pepper to the slow cooker, distributing them evenly over the chicken.
6. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, and crumble the chicken stock cube over the top. Add the dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
7. Stir everything gently to combine the ingredients, ensuring the chicken is nestled in the sauce.
8. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
9. Just before serving, stir in the fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
10. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread, and enjoy the rich, savory flavors!

This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting, flavorful meal that is as delicious as it is easy to prepare. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become tender and infused with the aromatic tomato-based sauce, making every bite packed with savory goodness. Perfect for any night of the week!