Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore-a Long Time Family Favorite

So what’s for dinner at your house this week? If you are drawing a blank, I suggest you try the classic Italian comfort food dish, Chicken Cacciatore. A snap to prepare when you make the entire dish in your slow cooker. Whether your weeknight dinner menus could benefit from a jolt of inspiration or you need a WOW dish for a special company meal, this rustic one pot dinner fits the bill perfectly.

 
View my collection of crockpot recipes HERE.
 
And this dish is quite versatile as it’s equally wonderful made with chicken parts or boneless chicken breasts. Delicious served over pasta, spaghetti squash or sautéed greens such as chard, spinach or kale.

 
Just add a beautiful Caprese Salad for a most delicious and satisfying meal.

 
I have been making my Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore seemingly forever and receive accolades each time it is served. So I am absolutely thrilled to share my easy to prepare family-pleasing recipe with you.

 

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

 
Click HERE for the complete recipe, but in the nutshell, here is what you do:

Cut onions, peppers and mushrooms into chunks. Coarsely chop garlic cloves.

 
 
Place onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot; toss vegetables to mix.

 
 
Lay chicken over vegetables.

 
 
Add bay leaves, tomato paste, diced, whole and crushed tomatoes, spices and salt. With a serving spoon, move around the chicken a bit to allow some of the sauce to seep down into the crockpot.

 
 
Cover; cook on High setting for 1 hour. Cook on Low setting for about 5 hours or until chicken and vegetables are thoroughly cooked. (chicken should be at 165 degrees F.) Remove bay leaves. (Can also cook on Low setting for about 7 hours.) Reduce heat to Keep Warm until serving time. As crockpots vary, adjust cooking time if needed. *NOTE: if using boneless skinless breasts, REDUCE cooking time by about 1 hour.

 
 
If desired, serve over hot cooked pasta, rice, spaghetti squash or sautéed greens.
 

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

The mid-week menu blahs stop here with this classic Italian autumn and winter comfort food dish. Delicious served over pasta, spaghetti squash or sautéed greens such as spinach or kale. Just add a green salad for a very satisfying meal.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 8 ounces whole mushrooms any kind
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 whole cut-up chicken pictured OR 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 28 ounce can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped, undrained
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne or to taste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste

Optional (not pictured)

  • About 4 cups hot cooked whole wheat brown rice pasta or spaghetti squash (or sauteed greens)

Instructions

  • Cut onions, peppers and mushrooms into chunks. Coarsely chop garlic cloves.
  • Place onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot; toss vegetables to mix.
  • Lay chicken over vegetables.
  • Add bay leaves, tomato paste, diced, whole and crushed tomatoes, spices and salt. With a serving spoon, move around the chicken a bit to allow some of the sauce to seep down into the crockpot.
  • Cover; cook on High setting for 1 hour. Cook on Low setting for about 5 hours or until chicken and vegetables are thoroughly cooked. (chicken should be at 165 degrees F) Remove bay leaves. (Can also cook on Low setting for about 7 hours.) Reduce heat to Keep Warm until serving time. As crockpots vary, adjust cooking time if needed. *NOTE: if using boneless skinless breasts, REDUCE cooking time by about 1 hour.
  • If desired, serve over hot cooked pasta, spaghetti squash or sauteed greens.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: may be made up to 3 days ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator. Reheat on Low setting, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour or until hot. (Or reheat on the stove-top over medium-low setting, covered.) May be frozen for up to 4 months.

 

Notes:

Like to make this dish on your stove-top? In a deep skillet with a lid, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium setting. Sauté all the veggies until softened, about 8 minutes. Add chicken, tomato paste, tomatoes and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low setting. Cover; cook for about 40 until chicken is done (165 degrees F) and veggies are cooked through.
 

More Favorite Slow Cooker Chicken Dishes

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Coming to the Blog: Moroccan Stuffed Peppers

Ceeya Next Time!


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33 Responses

  1. Oh, Linda this looks amazing! It's perfect comfort food on this damp and dreary day.
  2. Oh, I love all those healthful colors in this dish. The combo of the Cacciatore and the caprese would be a perfect meal! YUM!
  3. A family favorite for sure. Your version looks wonderful Linda!
  4. A heart warming dinner the whole family can love. Love the colors!
  5. A wonderful Italian classic dish made simple!! Great recipe!!!
  6. You could just set the crock pot in front of me with a big spoon and a bib, please!
  7. Yum!! This looks absolutely amazing!! I'd love to give this a try. Crockpot meals are always a winner for us!
  8. This has me drooling!
  9. This looks amazing! Perfect for a special dinner, but really easy on the cook and really healthy! I love your suggestion on the salad too- one of my favorites!
  10. This looks delicious and I really like that you were able to make it in a crock pot.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much Peter! Crockpot meals are a staple in our house all year round in this dish is one of our favorites!
  11. What a hearty and delicious meal this is! Looks amazing Linda!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Abby!
  12. This looks like a delicious hearty dish. A big chunk of crusty bread is all I'd need to mop up all that delicious sauce.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      I so agree with you Janette!
  13. Mmmmmmm ... this looks so scrumptious - I can totally see why you've served it again and again, and always with raves! What wonderful comfort food! I especially like your suggestions of serving it over spaghetti squash or sautéed greens - yum!
  14. Oh my this makes me so hungry and want to cook it today, but not time today. Will do though.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      I hope you try it soon Rosemary!
  15. No wonder why this is a family favorite! It is a perfect, hearty, filling meal!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      This dish is on our regular dinner menu rotation for all the reasons you mentioned!
  16. 1shamrocks
    Such a lovely dish, and just loaded with delicious flavors! Looks wonderful!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Lori!
  17. Chicken Caaiatory in a crock pot? Oh yes please! I love easy, delicious dishes like this. And healthy!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Yes indeed...healthy one dish meal all made in the crockpot! We love it and hope you will too!
  18. This looks amazing! Such a hearty and delicious meal!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks very much Divya!
  19. I love this colorful casserole. Looks very tasty!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you Del! I hope you have the chance to try it some day!
  20. I always need a new crock pot chicken dish! This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
  21. What a comforting recipe - and so easy to make. Love everything about this chicken.
  22. No wonder this is a family favourite, Linda. It looks amazing and has all the Mediterranean flavours I love! Sharing! Thank you for bringing your Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore to the Hearth and Soul Hop. Hope to see you again this week. The hop is open now.
  23. Jodie (jk)
    Packed with such great veggies.Thanks so much, can't wait to give it a try.
  24. Kim M
    In the crock pot now, looks and smells amazing! Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing this treasure.