Introduction

Discover the warmth of classic Italian flavors right from your kitchen with this incredible Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. This recipe offers a delightful blend of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and rich tomato sauce, all simmered to perfection. It highlights the convenience of your slow cooker, making it an ideal choice for busy households. Enjoy a healthy, comforting meal that effortlessly brings family-friendly deliciousness to your dinner table.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Effortless Prep, Rich Taste: Enjoy incredible depth of flavor with minimal effort. This easy recipe allows your slow cooker to do most of the work for you.
Wholesome Ingredients for Healthy Eating: It’s packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, offering a balanced and nutritious meal option. According to WebMD, chicken is a rich source of protein that aids in weight management and heart health. You can feel good about serving this dish to your family.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights or Entertaining: Prep this dish in the morning and return home to a delicious, ready-to-serve dinner. It’s equally impressive for guests without the stress.
Hearty and Comforting Italian Dish: This slow cooker chicken cacciatore delivers true Italian comfort in every bite. It’s a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
Adaptable for Various Dietary Needs: Easily adjust ingredients to fit your preferences, whether you prefer gluten-free, low-carb, or dairy-free options.

Ingredients

Making delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore starts with great ingredients. You’ll need chicken, a mix of vegetables, crushed tomatoes, and simple seasonings to create a rich, savory sauce.

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 teaspoons, divided
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon, divided
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
8 ounces sliced baby bella cremini mushrooms
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
For serving: whole wheat pasta, brown rice, polenta, rice, zucchini noodles, or baked and shredded spaghetti squash, chopped fresh parsley, freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: Feel free to use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for even more flavor. Remember to adjust the cooking time slightly longer.
Vegetables: Swap green bell pepper for red, yellow, or orange for a sweeter touch. Adding zucchini or carrots can also enhance the dish.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes or a good quality tomato sauce work well as substitutes for crushed tomatoes, altering the texture slightly.
Vinegar: Red wine vinegar offers a similar acidic tang if you don’t have balsamic on hand.
Thickening: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste with the tomatoes for an extra rich, thick sauce.
Flavor Boosts: A pinch of sugar can balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Olives, like Kalamata or black, add a briny depth.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to create this delightful slow cooker chicken cacciatore meal. These items help make the cooking process smooth and efficient.

6-quart (or larger) slow cooker: Essential for hands-off cooking and holding all ingredients.
Large skillet: Used for browning the chicken and sautéing aromatics before slow cooking.
Cutting board and sharp knife: For safely preparing your chicken and vegetables.
Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts for the best flavor.
Meat thermometer: Crucial for verifying the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Instructions

Creating this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is straightforward. Follow these steps for a flavorful and tender meal that practically cooks itself.

Lightly coat a large slow cooker with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of your chicken with salt and pepper generously. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the chicken in a single layer to the skillet.
Cook the chicken on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes, until nicely browned. Try to move the chicken as little as possible to achieve a good sear. Flip the chicken and brown the other side for about 2 additional minutes. Transfer the browned chicken pieces to your prepared slow cooker.
Reduce the skillet heat to medium. With a paper towel, carefully wipe out any excess oil or burnt bits from the skillet. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook until it begins to soften, which takes about 3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the skillet with the onions. Cook for just 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant and the vinegar has slightly reduced. Transfer this flavorful sautéed mixture, along with any pan drippings, to the slow cooker, placing it over the chicken.
Top the chicken with the entire can of crushed tomatoes, the chopped green bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, and Italian seasoning. Ensure everything is evenly distributed.
If using chicken breasts, cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked to 165°F. If you opted for chicken thighs, cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on HIGH or 5 to 6 hours on LOW. The USDA recommends that all poultry, including chicken, be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) to ensure safety.
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker as soon as it reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer. This prevents overcooking. If desired, you can chop or shred the chicken, or leave the pieces whole for serving.
At this point, you can serve the sauce right away if you are in a hurry. However, for the best-ever sauce, uncover the slow cooker and let it cook on HIGH for an additional 1 hour. This allows the sauce to thicken beautifully and its flavors to further develop and concentrate.
Just before serving, stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt or pepper as desired to perfect the flavor. If you’ve chopped or shredded the chicken, return it to the sauce and toss to combine and warm through. Otherwise, serve the whole chicken pieces with a generous amount of the rich cacciatore sauce on top.
Serve your hot Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore over your choice of pasta, rice, polenta, or veggie noodles. Finish with an extra spoonful of sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve the best Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore every time with these helpful tips and quick fixes.

Browning Chicken: Browning the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker is essential. This step creates a deeply caramelized crust, adding significant depth of flavor to the entire dish. Don’t skip it.
Prevent Dry Chicken: Monitor your chicken’s internal temperature closely with a meat thermometer. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker as soon as it reaches 165°F to ensure it stays tender and juicy.
Seasoning: Always taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. A little extra salt, pepper, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar can truly elevate the final flavor.
Thickening Sauce: If your cacciatore sauce is thinner than desired, create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water). Stir it into the simmering sauce during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking on HIGH for quick thickening.
Thinning Sauce: Should your sauce become too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Stir it in gradually until you reach your preferred consistency.
Mushrooms: Even if you aren’t a huge mushroom fan, try not to omit them entirely. They add a wonderful umami richness that complements the robust flavors of the cacciatore.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

This flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.

Over: Serve it over whole wheat pasta, fluffy brown rice, creamy polenta, or quinoa for a hearty meal.
Pair with: Opt for lighter options like zucchini noodles or baked and shredded spaghetti squash for a low-carb alternative.
Side dishes: Don’t forget a slice of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce, or a simple fresh green salad to complete your meal.

Storage & Reheating

Planning ahead or enjoying leftovers is easy with this versatile dish.

Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken cacciatore in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or use the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.

Variations

Customize your Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore to suit your taste preferences.

Spicy: Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning for a pleasant kick.
Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the end of cooking for a richer, creamier sauce.
Herbaceous: Incorporate fresh basil, oregano, or rosemary sprigs during the last hour of cooking for brighter, garden-fresh flavors.
Olives: Add a handful of pitted Kalamata or black olives during the last 30 minutes of cooking to introduce a salty, briny note.

Nutrition

This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a fantastic choice for a nutritious dinner. It’s packed with lean protein and healthy vegetables, making it a wholesome and satisfying option.

Nutrient	Value	Unit
Serving	1	(of 6)
Calories	228	kcal
Carbohydrates	10	g
Protein	32	g
Fat	8	g
Saturated Fat	1	g
Cholesterol	73	mg
Fiber	3	g
Sugar	6	g

FAQ

What does “Cacciatore” mean? “Cacciatore” is an Italian word meaning “hunter.” Dishes prepared alla cacciatora are typically made “hunter-style” with onions, herbs, often bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Is this dish gluten-free? Yes, this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe is naturally gluten-free as written. Just ensure you serve it with gluten-free pasta, rice, or vegetable noodles.
Can I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker? For food safety reasons, it’s generally recommended to thaw chicken completely before adding it to a slow cooker. Cooking from frozen can keep the chicken in the “danger zone” temperature for too long.
How is Chicken Cacciatore different from Chicken Parmesan? Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic, braised dish with a savory tomato-vegetable sauce. Chicken Parmesan features breaded, fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara and cheese, then baked.
Can I add red or white wine to this recipe? Absolutely! For a richer flavor, add about ½ cup of dry red or white wine to the skillet after sautéing the garlic and balsamic. Let it simmer and reduce for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe delivers robust Italian flavors with incredible ease. It transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying, wholesome meal that fits perfectly into any busy schedule. Enjoy the rich, savory sauce and tender chicken that makes this dish a family favorite. We encourage you to try this fantastic slow cooker meal and discover how simple deliciousness can be. Share your cooking experiences with us!