Introduction
Remember those nights when you just wanted a delicious, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen? This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe is exactly that! It’s the kind of comforting, flavorful dish that brings back warm memories and makes even the busiest weeknight feel like a special occasion. Just toss everything into your slow cooker, and let the magic happen. It’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast Prep: Seriously, you’ll spend less time chopping and more time relaxing.
- Effortlessly Easy: Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you.
- Perfect for Gifting: Make a big batch and freeze portions for busy friends or family.
- A Total Crowd-Pleaser: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone adores this dish.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, right? Here’s what you’ll need for this rustic Italian classic:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs tend to stay more moist, but breasts work wonderfully too!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Just a touch to get things started.
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced: Adds a lovely sweetness.
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced: For a pop of color and a hint of sweetness.
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced: Complements the red pepper perfectly.
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced: Any kind you like will do! Cremini are my go-to.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Because everything is better with garlic.
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes: The heart of our delicious sauce.
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained: Adds texture and a burst of tomato flavor.
- ½ cup chicken broth: Helps create that perfect saucy consistency.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A magical blend of herbs!
- ½ teaspoon dried basil: A classic Italian herb.
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano: Another essential for that authentic taste.
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a little warmth, add them in!
- Salt and pepper to taste: The essential finishing touches.
- 2 tablespoons capers: These little briny gems add a delightful tang!
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish: Because presentation matters, and fresh herbs brighten everything up.
How to Make It
Let’s get this cozy dinner party started! It’s so simple, you’ll feel like a culinary wizard.
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Sear the Chicken:
Grab a skillet and heat your olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your chicken pieces and sear them until they’re beautifully browned on all sides. This step adds so much depth of flavor! Once browned, set them aside for a moment.
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Sauté the Veggies:
Into the same skillet (no need to wash it!), toss in your sliced onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften up, which should take about 5 minutes. Mmm, the smell is already amazing!
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Add the Garlic:
Now, stir in your minced garlic and let it cook for just about 1 minute more until it’s wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
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Transfer to the Slow Cooker:
Carefully place your seared chicken and the sautéed vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. It’s starting to look like a feast already!
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Build the Sauce:
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, the drained diced tomatoes, and the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, and the red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
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Season to Perfection:
Now’s the time to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste a little bit of the sauce (carefully!) and adjust as needed. Remember, the flavors will meld together beautifully as it cooks.
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Add the Capers:
Stir in those delightful capers. They add such a unique, zesty flavor that really makes this dish sing!
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Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic:
Pop on the lid. You can cook this on the low setting for 4-6 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, on high for 2-3 hours. Either way, you’re looking for the chicken to be perfectly tender and cooked through.
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Garnish and Serve:
Once it’s done, give it a final stir. Ladle this glorious Chicken Cacciatore into bowls and garnish with plenty of fresh parsley and basil. It’s the perfect finishing touch!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is already fantastic, but it’s also super adaptable! Feel free to play around:
- Veggies: Love zucchini? Throw some sliced zucchini or yellow squash in there! Artichoke hearts are also a delicious addition.
- Tomatoes: If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, you can use two cans of diced tomatoes and give them a quick pulse in a blender or food processor to break them down a bit.
- Spice Level: Want more heat? Add a pinch more red pepper flakes or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Herbs: Fresh rosemary or thyme can be added along with the dried herbs for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: This is absolutely divine served over pasta (spaghetti, penne, or linguine are great choices!), creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, or even a crusty baguette for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make your Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore even more amazing:
- Don’t Skip the Sear: While you can skip searing the chicken, it really adds so much flavor and color. It’s worth those extra few minutes!
- Low and Slow is Best: If you have the time, cooking on low for longer allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all your veggies and mince your garlic the day before and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This makes assembly on cooking day a breeze!
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. You might need a little more salt, pepper, or even a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up.
How to Store It
Leftovers are a good thing! This Chicken Cacciatore reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
- In the Refrigerator: Let the dish cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- In the Freezer: This recipe freezes wonderfully! Once cooled, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, or in the microwave until heated through.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A: Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out a bit faster than thighs. Cooking on low heat for the longer duration is a good option for breasts.
Q: Do I have to add capers?
A: Capers add a wonderful tangy flavor that I love, but if you’re not a fan, you can leave them out. The dish will still be delicious!
Q: How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
A: If you find your sauce is a bit thin after cooking, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking and let it thicken.
Easy Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
Equipment
- Skillet
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts Thighs tend to stay more moist, but breasts work wonderfully too!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Just a touch to get things started.
- 1 small yellow onion sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced, Cremini are recommended
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes The heart of our delicious sauce.
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes drained
- 0.5 cup chicken broth Helps create that perfect saucy consistency.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning A magical blend of herbs!
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil A classic Italian herb.
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano Another essential for that authentic taste.
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little warmth
- to taste salt and pepper The essential finishing touches.
- 2 tablespoons capers These little briny gems add a delightful tang!
- for garnish Fresh parsley and basil Because presentation matters, and fresh herbs brighten everything up.
Instructions
- Grab a skillet and heat your olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your chicken pieces and sear them until they’re beautifully browned on all sides. This step adds so much depth of flavor! Once browned, set them aside for a moment.
- Into the same skillet (no need to wash it!), toss in your sliced onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften up, which should take about 5 minutes. Mmm, the smell is already amazing!
- Now, stir in your minced garlic and let it cook for just about 1 minute more until it’s wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
- Carefully place your seared chicken and the sautéed vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. It’s starting to look like a feast already!
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, the drained diced tomatoes, and the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, and the red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
- Now’s the time to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste a little bit of the sauce (carefully!) and adjust as needed. Remember, the flavors will meld together beautifully as it cooks.
- Stir in those delightful capers. They add such a unique, zesty flavor that really makes this dish sing!
- Pop on the lid. You can cook this on the low setting for 4-6 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, on high for 2-3 hours. Either way, you’re looking for the chicken to be perfectly tender and cooked through.
- Once it’s done, give it a final stir. Ladle this glorious Chicken Cacciatore into bowls and garnish with plenty of fresh parsley and basil. It’s the perfect finishing touch!