Effortlessly Delicious: Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore – Your Go-To Italian Comfort Food

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Introduction

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian-inspired comfort dish that delivers rich, slow-simmered flavors with minimal effort. With juicy, tender chicken thighs, vibrant vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a savory tomato sauce, this recipe guarantees a satisfying dinner any night of the week—without the need to hover over the stove. The crockpot does the work for you, making it ideal for busy evenings, meal prepping, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Why Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore Is a Must-Make

This version of chicken cacciatore stands out for its balanced depth of flavor, effortless preparation, and versatile serving options—from over pasta to alongside crusty bread. Slow cooking allows all the flavors to meld, resulting in fall-apart-tender chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite veggies or spices for a dish that suits your taste.

The Secret to Mouthwatering Chicken and Vegetables

The key to this recipe is prepping your vegetables so they cook evenly and infuse the sauce with sweetness and complexity. Speed up your prep with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper—a reliable tool for quickly dicing onions, peppers, and carrots to the perfect size. This ensures uniform cooking and a beautiful texture in every spoonful.

For the best results, brown your chicken before adding it to the crockpot. While not required, it deepens the flavor and gives the final dish irresistible savoriness. You can do this easily in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch.

Effortless Assembly and Cooking

Once your veggies and chicken are ready, layering everything in your slow cooker is all that’s left. Pour over a bright tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and a touch of red wine (if you like) for restaurant-worthy results. The Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher can help break up tomatoes and blend sauce ingredients right in the crockpot for a rustic, hearty texture.

Set your crockpot and let the magic happen. Four to six hours later, your kitchen will be filled with mouthwatering aromas—and dinner is ready to serve.

Serving and Storing Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Serve your chicken cacciatore over cooked pasta, rice, or creamy polenta. Top with fresh basil or parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan for an extra flourish. Need a lunch option on the go? Pack leftovers in the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green for an easy, mess-free meal.

Store any extras in airtight containers (the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) are perfect) in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze for longer keeping. To reheat, simply microwave or warm in a saucepan on low until heated through.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately six hearty servings. Each portion offers around 320 calories (not including pasta or rice sides), with a balance of lean protein, healthy vegetables, and minimal added fat.

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore (Recap)

Thanks to the crockpot, chicken cacciatore becomes an approachable, hands-off meal packed with deep Italian flavors. With simple tools and fresh ingredients, you’ll get a crowd-pleasing comfort dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

2.5 to 3 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone-in, skin removed
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup olives (black or green, optional)
Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Cooked pasta, rice, or polenta, for serving

Instructions

  1. Using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, chop the onion, bell peppers, and carrots. Mince the garlic.
  2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Optional: Sear chicken in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
  3. Add onions, peppers, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic to the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot. Place chicken over the veggies.
  4. Add tomatoes, breaking them up with a Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher. Pour in chicken broth and wine (if using).
  5. Sprinkle in Italian herbs, crushed red pepper, and olives (if using). Stir gently to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until chicken is very tender and sauce is rich.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve over pasta, rice, or polenta. Pack leftovers in a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green for easy meals.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4–7 hours (hands-off)

Total Time: About 4.5–7.5 hours (mostly unattended)

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