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slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe

Enjoy a classic Italian dish with minimal effort using this slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe. Tender chicken simmers in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and herbs for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Cooked pasta or polenta, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs on both sides.
  2. Place chopped onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker.
  3. Arrange browned chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
  4. In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sliced mushrooms, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
  6. Shred the chicken with two forks.
  7. Serve chicken cacciatore over cooked pasta or polenta. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a richer flavor, add a bay leaf to the slow cooker while cooking and remove it before serving. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.