Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (2024)

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This family friendly Italian classic dish Chicken Cacciatore is made in the slow cooker for a convenient weeknight dinner!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (1)
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

There is nothing better than the sweet aroma of bell peppers and tomatoes simmering slowly all day in this Chicken Cacciatore dish. You may also like this slow cooker Pollo in Potacchio or Salsa Chicken with Beans and Corn.

Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. Often the chicken is dusted with flour and fried in oil before simmering in tomatoes with onions and peppers. This healthier version removes the skin and skips the deep frying, but you won’t miss it.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (2)

Slow Cooker Tips:

  • When using your slow cooker, I always recommend browning the meat and vegetables first for deeper flavors and a thicker sauce because liquids don’t evaporate in the slow cooker.
  • But for those of you who don’t want to dirty a pan, or don’t have that extra time to brown first I tested this out using the quick method of dumping it all in the slow cookers.
  • Verdict: The sauce wasn’t as thick as I would have liked, so my easy fix: I set the crock pot to high with the cover off for one additional hour to let it simmer and thicken and that worked fine. Perhaps adding a little flour would also help it thicken. If you want to add mushrooms to the sauce, this would also be a great time to do so.
  • If you like white meat, you can certainly use chicken breast but I highly recommend keeping the chicken on the bone. The bone is what gives you such great flavor, you can always remove it after.
  • And since so many are asking, although I have and love myInstant Pot, I still love my slow cooker! I have the6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker(affil link). I love it because you can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it’s done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. I hated my old crock pot, it burnt everything and my food had a weird taste. This slow cooker is so great, I actually own several!

What do you serve with Chicken Cacciatore?

  • We love it served over pasta, spaghetti squash, rice or polenta.

For the stove top version, see Chicken Cacciatore. Cooking on the stove differs from the crock pot, liquids evaporate quickly on the stove where as in the slow cooker nothing evaporates. When you add all the elements to your crock, you may be tempted to add broth but don’t. There will be plenty of liquid once it starts cooking. Also, flavors tend to get muted in the slow cooker, so I always adjust my herbs and seasoning in the end to get it where I want it.

I’ve also now included an Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (3)

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

4

Cals:126.2

Protein:13.9

Carbs:9.2

Fat:2.8

This family friendly Italian classic dish Chicken Cacciatore is made in the slow cooker for a convenient weeknight dinner!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (4)

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs

Total: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 thigh, 1/2 cup sauce, veggies

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken thighs, with the bone, skin removed
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, Tuttorosso my favorite!
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 large onion, sliced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs such as basil or parsley for topping

Instructions

Quick method:

  • Season chicken with salt and black pepper and place in the slow cooker.

  • Pour tomatoes over the chicken, top with onions and peppers, add oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper, give it a quick stir and cover.

  • Set crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours.

  • When the timer beeps, remove lid and keep the crock pot on HIGH one hour to help it thicken.

Better method but requires more prep:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high, lightly spray with oil (I use my Misto) and brown chicken on both sides a few minutes, season with salt and pepper. Add to the slow cooker.

  • To the skillet, spray with a little more oil and add onions and peppers. Sauté until juices release and the vegetables become golden, a few minutes.Add to the slow cooker. Pour tomatoes over the chicken and vegetables, add oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper, give it a quick stir and cover.

  • Set crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours. Remove bay leaf, adjust salt and pepper and enjoy!

  • * Pasta not included in nutritional info.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 thigh, 1/2 cup sauce, veggies, Calories: 126.2 kcal, Carbohydrates: 9.2 g, Protein: 13.9 g, Fat: 2.8 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Cholesterol: 57 mg, Sodium: 271.6 mg, Fiber: 0.6 g, Sugar: 4.1 g

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Categories:

  • Budget Friendly Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • Dairy Free
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Freezer Meals
  • Gluten Free
  • Italian Inspired Recipes
  • Keto Recipes
  • Kid Friendly
  • Low Carb
  • Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (5)

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to cook Crockpot chicken on high or low? ›

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

Can I use jar sauce in a slow cooker? ›

Jarred sauces can be too watery for the slow cooker. 5. Packet mixes can be used in a slow cooker, with less water. 6.

How long does it take chicken to cook in a Crockpot? ›

Step 4: Cook on High for 4-5 Hours or Low 7-8 Hours. Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 F and juices run clear, but also when it's so tender you can shred it with a fork.

Is 3 hours in a slow cooker enough for chicken? ›

For a whole chicken – Place it in your slow cooker breast side down. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 4-5 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. For bone-in pieces - Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 3-4 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.

Is 8 hours on low the same as 4 hours on high? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Why is my chicken tough after cooking in the crockpot? ›

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big.

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it.

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  • Raw Meat.
  • Seafood.
  • Pasta.
  • Rice.
  • Delicate Vegetables.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  • Dairy.
  • Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Can you use Campbell's skillet sauces in crockpot? ›

This versatile cooking sauce can be used to make skillet meals, slow cooker meals and multi cooker meals. Serve up quick and easy meals any night of the week with Campbell's® Tangy Sweet and Sour Cooking Sauce.

Should you stir a slow cooker? ›

Resist the urge. Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes and adds up to 30 minutes longer to your cook time. Slow cookers are made so you don't have to stir with the low cooking temperature, so relax.

Is 4 hours long enough to slow cook chicken? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes.

How do you know when slow cooked chicken is done? ›

Simply insert your food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken (for a whole chicken, that would be the breast). You know your chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 180°F (82°C) for a whole chicken, or 165°F (74°C) for chicken cuts.

How do you know when chicken is done in a slow cooker? ›

Temp it! If the chicken is around 165 f or so, you have cooked chicken. My concern here is that if you have pink chicken after 8 hours of cooking, you might not have hit the "165 f in four hours" benchmark, which could mean that your meal could be potentially hazardous.

Is it okay to cook chicken on high in crockpot? ›

Cook bone-in chicken breasts in slow cooker on LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-2 hours. Bone-in chicken is less likely to dry out than boneless, so you have the flexibility to cook the chicken on high.

Is 6 hours on low the same as 4 hours on high? ›

One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW.

How long can you leave chicken in the crockpot on low? ›

Over and over AND OVER again, we have found that chicken breast registers at 165° F (the FDA recommended safe temp) right around 3 hours on LOW. Sometimes less, sometimes more depending on the size of the breast or other ingredients in the slow cooker.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crockpot? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like!

References

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