Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
9 Comments Aug 22, 2022
Updated Feb 15, 2025
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Homemade chicken cacciatore couldn’t be easier thanks to the slow cooker. The decadent sauce is made from diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onion, and Italian seasonings.
Table of Contents
This chicken cacciatore recipe is something my mom often made growing up. She did not own a slow cooker, though I converted this recipe to fit my cooking style in the slow cooker.
I made a few minor changes to the recipe. I love boneless skinless chicken thighs, they don’t need browning, and they don’t make sauces greasy as skin-on chicken does. I also added bell pepper; my mom always had that in her sauce.
What you need
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are preferred for cacciatore for it has more flavor and doesn’t dry out as boneless skinless chicken breasts do. I also have a pork cacciatore recipe you may like too! Whether you use chicken or pork, you will enjoy this!
- Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste are the base for this crock pot chicken cacciatore. If you don’t have either, leftover marinara sauce works great!
- Chicken Broth: Add more flavor than adding water to the dish.
- Vegetables: Bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms are classic vegetables for this easy chicken cacciatore.
- Seasonings: Fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning add flavor to the tomato sauce.
- {The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images}
How to make Chicken Cacciatore in a Crockpot:
Step One – Add the diced tomatoes, and tomato paste, boneless chicken, broth, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper to the slow cooker.
Step Two – Stir to combine the sauce. Add in the chicken thighs into the sauce.
Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 7. Try not to open the lid during the cooking time.
Variations
Customize your Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with these simple additions for extra depth of flavor and texture.
- Add red wine such as cabernet or red blend to crock pot chicken cacciatore. Only add two tablespoons of wine, for the slow cooker doesn’t cook it off all the way, and it can be strong if you add more.
- Bone-in chicken thighs work well, I like to brown those in a skillet first.
- You can add carrots and celery at the beginning of the cooking time, or add zucchini during the last 45 minutes.
- Jarred sundried tomatoes can be added – just 1/8 cup will do.
- Add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes at the beginning of the cooking time for a spicy crockpot chicken cacciatore.
My Serving Suggestions
So many options to choose from, and most of these are family friendly:
- Over Rice – A traditional way to eat chicken cacciatore is over white steamed rice or brown rice; it’s easy and soaks up all the sauce perfectly.
- Mashed Potatoes – You can serve this over mashed potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
- Noodles, Zoodles, or Spaghetti Squash – For a healthy version, try serving over whole wheat pasta noodles, spaghetti squash, or zoodles! Cook separately on the stovetop. Don’t forget a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Polenta – Italian restaurants serve chicken cacciatore over polenta wedges, and you can too at home!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, add everything before cooking to a freezer ziplock bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw 24 hours before you need it in the fridge and cook as directed in the recipe card.
Like thick chicken cacciatore? Make a cornstarch slurry with two tablespoons of cold water and two tablespoons of cornstarch. Add to the finished dish and continue cooking for 20 minutes more.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- A family favorite in our house is Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta which is topped with plenty of cheese.
- Our recipe for Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken has a TON of gravy.
- This recipe for Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken actually has no bourbon!
- Fresh and healthy Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken is a summer favorite.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
- 15 oz. Italian diced tomatoes
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tsp. cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
For serving:
- noodles or steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken, broth, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper to the slow cooker. Stir. Nestle in the chicken thighs into the sauce.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or on LOW for 7. Try not to open the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve over rice and enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
- Add red wine such as cabernet or red blend to crock pot chicken cacciatore. Only add two tablespoons of wine, for the slow cooker doesn’t cook it off all the way, and it can be strong if you add more.
- Bone-in chicken thighs work well, I like to brown those in a skillet first.
- You can add carrots and celery at the beginning of the cooking time, or add zucchini during the last 45 minutes.
- Jarred sundried tomatoes can be added – just 1/8 cup will do.
- Add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes at the beginning of the cooking time for a spicy crockpot chicken cacciatore.
- Over Rice – A traditional way to eat chicken cacciatore is over white steamed rice or brown rice; it’s easy and soaks up all the sauce perfectly.
- Mashed Potatoes – You can serve this over mashed potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
- Noodles, Zoodles, or Spaghetti Squash – For a healthy version, try serving over whole wheat pasta noodles, spaghetti squash, or zoodles! Cook separately on the stovetop. Don’t forget a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Polenta – Italian restaurants serve chicken cacciatore over polenta wedges, and you can too at home!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
DO YOU DRAIN THE DICED TOMATOES?
No, do not drain the tomatoes.
Delicious and quite flavorful. I added a cup more mushrooms and added a bit more garlic. Makes plenty of sauce, so I added a few more thighs. Served over ziti! Thank you.
Mega ditto on the nutritional content. I do periodic meals for my brother & sil & he is on a low sodium regime, due to heart problems. Just found your website, but so far have copied several recipes. It would be very helpful to see nutrition info.
Hi Pam! I add the nutritional info to my new recipes. It takes about a half hour per recipe, I have not had time to update the old recipes yet (I have about 400 recipes). Sorry for the inconvenience!
Same question as above-how do you think boneless chicken breasts would work?
I think they would be fine!
Can I use boneless chicken breasts in this recipe, or a combination of both?