Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
The ultimate comfort food, Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a rich and savory dish that brings warmth and joy to any meal. With tender chicken and vibrant vegetables simmered to perfection, it's an easy weeknight dinner your family will love. Make it tonight for a satisfying meal!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Grater
- Chef's Knife
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 10 pieces bone-in skinless chicken thighs about 5 ounces each, trimmed
- to taste Kosher salt for seasoning
- to taste freshly ground black pepper for seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cooking spray or extra virgin olive oil for browning
- 5 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed
- ½ large yellow onion chopped
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- ½ medium green bell pepper chopped
- ½ medium red bell pepper chopped
- 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley for garnish
- to taste grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Generously season the chicken thighs with the Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and then add the chicken.
- Cook until nicely browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a slow cooker.
- Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium and coat with more cooking spray or another drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add the tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Discard the bay leaf and transfer the chicken to a large plate or cutting board. Pull the chicken meat from the bones, shred the meat and return it to the sauce. Stir in the parsley.
- Serve with pasta, polenta or spaghetti squash topped with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Yes, you can freeze the leftovers. Just store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Pairing: Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Flavor Boost: For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes to the slow cooker.
- Vegetable Varieties: Feel free to mix in your favorite vegetables like zucchini or carrots for extra nutrition.