Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

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If you’re looking for a simple, flavor-packed meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough for company – this Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore is a must-try. Let’s get started!

There’s nothing better than a hearty, home-cooked meal that practically makes itself, and that’s exactly what you get with this slow cooker recipe! Juicy chicken thighs simmer all day in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and plenty of Italian seasonings. It’s a classic comfort food that’s easy to throw together and perfect for busy weeknights.

For a different spin on chicken and mushrooms, try my Chicken Mushroom Pasta, which swaps the tomato base for a creamy garlic-parmesan sauce in a quick one-pan meal. Need a non-tomato chicken dinner for the rotation? Chicken a la King is a creamy classic to mix things up.

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!

A wooden spoon lifting a piece of tender chicken from a crockpot filled with rich, tomato-based chicken cacciatore sauce, garnished with fresh parsley.

Why you’ll love this

Flavor-packed. The slow cooking melds all the flavors together beautifully.
Adaptable. Use your favorite veggies or adjust the seasonings.
Comforting. A warm and hearty meal for any day of the week.

What’s in it?

Chicken Cacciatore is rich and savory, with tangy tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and earthy mushrooms. Slow cooking makes the chicken fall-apart tender, and the sauce soaks up all the flavors from the veggies and seasonings. Add capers or olives for a little briny punch!

It’s pretty easy to make, and with a little prep time, you can come home for dinner and smell the amazing, rich flavors waft out to greet you!

So, what is Chicken Cacciatore?

Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that translates to “hunter’s chicken” – typically made with whatever ingredients were on hand. It was traditionally made with wild game like rabbit or pheasant, but these days chicken is more commonly used.

It was likely not originally made in a slow cooker, but probably in a big Dutch oven on the stove or oven.

Love your slow cooker? Me too! Try these BBQ Chicken Thighs, or my Crockpot Chicken Chili. If you are into classic Italian chicken, try my Chicken Piccata recipe too!

No slow cooker? No problem!

If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can make this Chicken Cacciatore in the oven instead! Sear the chicken thighs in a Dutch oven or oven-safe skillet, then sauté the veggies just like in the crock pot version. Deglaze with broth, stir in the tomatoes and seasonings, and nestle the chicken back into the pan. Cover and bake at 350°F for about an hour, until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich and flavorful.

For a slightly thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 15-20 minutes of baking. Serve it over pasta, rice, or polenta with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and you’ve got the same cozy, comforting flavors in a fraction of the time!

What to serve with this?

This dish is perfect served over pasta (spaghetti), rice, or even creamy polenta to soak up all that yummy sauce. Add some garlic bread on the side – and you’ve got a meal that feels like a cozy Italian dinner with hardly any effort.

Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead

A fork lifting a piece of tender chicken with spaghetti, tomatoes, and capers, with a bowl of chicken cacciatore in the background.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Note: This highlights some ingredients. Full list is in the recipe card.

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Chicken thighs. Bone-in and skinless for the best flavor and tenderness. Boneless chicken thighs or breasts work too, but bone-in adds extra richness.
Crushed tomatoes. Use a high-quality brand for the best flavor. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, substitute with canned diced tomatoes.
Bell peppers. I use both red bell pepper and green for a classic combination. You can use any color you like or swap them for zucchini or carrots.
Mushrooms. Add an earthy depth of flavor. If you’re not a fan, leave them out or replace them with more bell peppers.
Chicken broth. Enhances the sauce and deglazes the skillet. Low-sodium broth works well if you’re watching your salt intake.
Capers. Optional, but they add a tangy, briny pop. If you’re not into capers, olives make a great substitute.
Parsley. I love to use fresh Italian parsley (the flat leaf kind). You can use fresh basil instead for a different flavor.
Oregano and basil. Dried herbs provide a savory, aromatic base. Double the quantity if you’re using fresh herbs.

A top-down view of ingredients for crockpot chicken cacciatore, including raw chicken thighs, mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, olive oil, capers, parsley, and seasonings, with labels on each ingredient.

How to make this recipe

This is a step-by-step photo guide. Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.

Jump

Get prepped. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Slice the bell peppers and mushrooms. Measure out the spices. Open the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.

Brown the chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.

Raw chicken thighs placed in a skillet with a bit of oil, surrounded by bowls of sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, chopped onions, and minced garlic, with a text overlay that reads "Add the chicken thighs to the hot skillet."

Seared chicken thighs in a skillet, golden brown on the outside, with a pair of tongs lifting one piece, and a text overlay that reads "Sear until golden, then add to crockpot."

Sauté the veggies. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the onion, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a large slow cooker.

A skillet filled with chopped onions, garlic, sliced mushrooms, and bell peppers, ready to be cooked, with a text overlay that reads "Add the veggies to the same skillet."

Cooked vegetables in a skillet, softened and slightly caramelized, with a text overlay that reads "Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes. Then add to crockpot."

Deglaze and mix the sauce. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything together to combine.

A wooden spoon stirring chicken broth in a skillet to deglaze, with a text overlay that reads "Pour in chicken broth to deglaze."

A skillet with tomato sauce and seasonings added to the broth, ready to be mixed, with a text overlay that reads "Add the tomatoes and seasonings."

Assemble and cook. Pour the tomato mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the crock pot. Stir gently to distribute the sauce evenly.

Tomato sauce being poured from a skillet over chicken and vegetables in a crockpot, with a text overlay that reads "Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies."

A crockpot filled with mixed chicken, vegetables, and sauce, ready to cook, with a text overlay that reads "Mix well."

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Finish and serve. Stir in the capers, if using, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve the chicken and sauce over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.

A crockpot covered with a glass lid, showing condensation as the dish cooks, with a text overlay that reads "Cook 6-8 hours."

The finished crockpot chicken cacciatore, garnished with capers and fresh parsley, with a text overlay that reads "Add capers and parsley if using."

Kylee’s Notes

Deglazing step adds depth to the flavor, so don’t skip it!
Make it richer by adding a splash of red wine to the skillet while deglazing.
Vegetable options like zucchini or eggplant can be added for variety.

How to store leftovers

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts may cook faster, so check for doneness after 5 hours.

Do I have to sauté the vegetables first?

No. Sautéing adds a lot of flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Let it cook uncovered on high for the last 30 minutes, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).

How do you pronounce Chicken Cacciatore?

It’s pronounced “kah-chuh-TOR-ay” (ka-chuh-TOR-ee in some regions).

Can I make it spicy?

Of course! Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the seasonings.

A close-up of a plate of spaghetti topped with chicken cacciatore, garnished with capers and fresh parsley, with a gold fork holding a piece of chicken.

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Hamburger Stew. A deliciously easy to prep crockpot recipe, using basic ingredients, this hamburger stew is a family favorite and budget-friendly!
Smothered Pork Chops. tender & juicy, covered in a flavorful onion gravy. Slow-cooked while you do other things.
ALL SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT RECIPES

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About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee