Slow Cooked Chicken Cacciatore (Printable)
Tender chicken and vegetables slow simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic Italian herbs.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken drumsticks
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
06 - 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Liquids
10 - ½ cup dry red wine (optional)
11 - ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Herbs & Seasonings
12 - 2 teaspoons dried oregano
13 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
16 - 2 bay leaves
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ To Finish
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
19 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
# How To Cook:
01 - Generously season chicken thighs and drumsticks with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with some olive oil and sear chicken pieces until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes each side. Transfer to slow cooker.
03 - Place sliced onion, red and yellow bell peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic into the slow cooker atop the chicken.
04 - Pour crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), and chicken broth over vegetables. Add oregano, basil, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, and bay leaves; stir gently to blend.
05 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through.
06 - Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Serve chicken and vegetables over cooked pasta, polenta, or rice. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional basil leaves.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day.
- Bone-in chicken stays incredibly moist and flavorful without any fuss.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have settled.
02 -
- If the sauce looks too thin, prop the lid open for the last 30 minutes to let some moisture escape.
- Bone-in chicken is key here, boneless will work but it dries out faster and loses that deep, rich flavor.
03 -
- If you want a thicker sauce, whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch into a tablespoon of cold water and stir it in during the last 15 minutes.
- For extra depth, add a parmesan rind to the slow cooker and remove it before serving, it adds a subtle umami richness.