Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (Printable)

Tender chicken in savory tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs for an easy comforting meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 5 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, sliced
03 - 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

→ Liquids

08 - 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

→ Spices & Herbs

09 - 2 teaspoons dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
15 - 2 tablespoons capers, drained
16 - 1/3 cup pitted black olives, sliced

→ To Finish

17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Lightly season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
03 - Place the sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker, creating an even bed for the chicken.
04 - Arrange the browned chicken thighs on top of the vegetable layer in the slow cooker.
05 - Pour in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, white wine (or broth), oregano, basil, thyme, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings.
06 - Scatter the drained capers and sliced black olives evenly over the top of the mixture.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and pulls away easily from the bone, and the sauce is rich and flavorful.
08 - Taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs if needed before serving.
09 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. Optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Pair with crusty bread, polenta, or pasta if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce develops this incredible depth that usually takes all day to achieve
  • Your house will smell like an Italian grandmother moved in
  • Its practically foolproof even on busy weekdays
02 -
  • Browning the chicken first isn required but makes such a difference in flavor
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it cooks
  • Don lift the lid too often or you lose heat and extend cooking time
03 -
  • Use a mix of red and yellow peppers for visual appeal
  • Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving for easier serving

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