Description
This rustic Italian chicken cacciatore transforms tender chicken thighs into a rich, flavorful meal with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, melding together sweet bell peppers, aromatic herbs, and savory tomatoes into a sauce that’s perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. Simply layer the ingredients and let time work its magic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Layer the sliced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced garlic over the chicken.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken broth, then stir in the tomato paste until well blended.
- Add the dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds.
- Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, stirring it into the flavorful sauce.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley. Delicious over pasta, rice, or with a slice of crusty bread.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, sear the chicken thighs in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker. This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce cooking time to 4-5 hours on low.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Italian cacciatore, easy dinner, one-pot meal, comfort food