Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce loaded with bell peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a hands-off meal, it delivers bold flavors with minimal effort and pairs beautifully with pasta or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Sauce
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 medium bell peppers, sliced (any color)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup capers, drained
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Place them evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables and sauce ingredients: Pour in olive oil, sliced onion, bell peppers, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, optional red pepper flakes, and sliced mushrooms. Gently toss everything in the slow cooker to combine the ingredients without displacing the chicken too much.
- Cook slowly: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. This slow simmering allows the chicken to become tender and absorb the flavorful sauce.
- Add capers: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the drained capers to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine so the capers’ briny punch infuses the sauce.
- Final seasoning and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the chicken cacciatore hot over pasta, rice, or your preferred side.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs add more depth of flavor but require a longer cooking time.
- If the tomato sauce tastes too acidic, add a small pinch of sugar to balance it.
- Searing the chicken beforehand adds flavor but is optional, especially on busy days.
- Don’t skip the capers if you enjoy a bright, briny flavor contrast.
- This dish freezes well for future meals—just cool and store in airtight containers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken thigh with sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
