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Easy Tender Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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A comforting Italian slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with herbs and vegetables. Perfect for an effortless, cozy meal with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 28 ounces (800 grams) canned diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) mushrooms, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: Slice the onion and red bell pepper, mince the garlic, and if using, clean and slice mushrooms. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Brown the chicken (10 minutes): Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté vegetables (5 minutes): In the same skillet, add onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms if using. Cook until softened and fragrant, around 4-5 minutes. Add garlic in the last minute to avoid burning.
  4. Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer sautéed veggies to the slow cooker. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, white wine (if using), Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and capers. Mix well.
  5. Add the chicken: Nestle browned chicken thighs into the tomato mixture, making sure they’re mostly submerged but not completely covered.
  6. Cook low and slow (4-5 hours): Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature at least 165°F / 74°C). Alternatively, cook on high for 2-3 hours but check often to avoid drying out.
  7. Finish with fresh basil: Stir in chopped basil leaves about 10 minutes before serving to preserve their bright flavor.
  8. Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce and add extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if needed.

Notes

Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds extra flavor and keeps the meat juicy but can be skipped if short on time. Adjust seasoning gradually as slow cooking concentrates flavors. If sauce is too thin near the end, uncover and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce. Leftovers taste better the next day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken cacciatore, easy chicken cacciatore, Italian slow cooker recipe, comfort food, tender chicken thighs, crockpot chicken recipe

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/easy-tender-slow-cooker-chicken-cacciatore-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-meal/