Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore is a healthy, hardy recipe with tender chicken, vegetables, and rich tomato sauceโan easy dump-and-go weeknight dinner recipe.
This is an ultra-simple recipe with easy step-by-step photo instructions. Only 10 minutes of prep and let your crock pot do the work.
๐Ingredients
Chicken breasts or thighs
Aromaticsโonion and garlic
Vegetablesโbell pepper, mushrooms optional
Tomatoesโcrushed and paste
Pantry ingredientsโdry basil, optional red pepper, salt, and black pepper
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It's an easy chicken cacciatore recipe full of great Italian flavors, a great family dinner recipe, but special enough for a dinner party. With this classic Italian dish, your home will have a wonderful aroma of tomatoes and peppers all day.
It's easy and economical to make with wonderful homemade sauce and tender chicken and vegetables. With under 200 calories and 3 grams of fat, it will fit a healthy diet like a low-calorie or low-fat diet.
๐จโ๐ณHow to Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock Pot
Start by chopping 1 medium onion and 1 green pepper. Crush 3 cloves of garlic.
Trim about 2 pounds of chicken. Use skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs. Cut into 3-4 pieces each for better serving.
In a 3 quart or larger crock pot, combine the chicken and vegetables with one 6 oz can tomato paste, one 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 2 teaspoons dry basil, 1 teaspoon salt, ยฝ teaspoon pepper, and ยผ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional).
Cook for 6 hours on low. If you want shredded chicken, remove the cooked chicken shortly before it is finished, shred it, and return it to the crock pot.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
โ๏ธHow to make this a "for two" or "family size" recipe
This recipe will fit as written in a 3-quart crock pot. Using a larger one may cook a bit faster, so check at 4-5 hours.
This recipe can be cut in half easily and then fit in a 2-quart crock pot. You won't be able to find 14 oz cans of crushed tomatoes, so use diced tomatoes and freeze the half can of tomato paste.
- Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings to half or double.
- Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructionsโthose do not adjust.
- The half recipe will fit in a 2-quart mini crock pot
- A double recipe fits in a 6-quart or larger crock pot.
- Cook for the same amount of time.
Serving
Serve with pasta or rice sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Add homemade bread like Julia Child's French Bread or Easy Dinner Rolls.
Add a green garden salad and some crusty bread for a complete meal.
Crock pot Italian recipes
Check out these other recipes you may like: Italian Sausage Marinara Sauce, Baked Italian Meatballs, Crock Pot Chicken Baked Ziti, Crock Pot Pizza, or my personal favorite, Crock Pot Baked Ziti.
Storing leftovers
Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. It will do well frozen for 3-4 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave.
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โFAQ
Yes, but only a tablespoon or two. It will not cook off in a crock pot like on the stovetop.
๐จโ๐ณWhat is Chicken Cacciatore?
Itโs an old Italian dish. Cacciatore means โhunterโ in Italian, and to prepare something, cacciatora style refers to preparing a meal โhunter-styleโ or sometimes called "hunter stew."
The meat is generally braised chicken, but rabbit is also acceptable. While I suggest skinless chicken, chicken with skin and bone is commonly used.
The sauce is generally onions, spices, tomatoes, bell peppers, and sometimes wine or mushrooms.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
๐The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken - skinless boneless breasts or thighs
- 1 onion - medium chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - minced or crushed
- 1 green pepper - chopped
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon pepper
- ยผ teaspoons crushed red pepper - optional
- 2 cups slices mushrooms - optional
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by chopping 1 medium onion and 1 green pepperโcrush 3 cloves garlic.
- Trim about 2 pounds of chicken. Use skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs. Cut into 3-4 pieces each for better serving.
- In a 3 quart or larger crock pot, combine the chicken and vegetables with one 6 oz can tomato paste, one 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 2 teaspoons dry basil, 1 teaspoon salt, ยฝ teaspoon pepper, and ยผ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional).
- Cook for 6 hours on low. If you want shredded chicken, remove the cooked chicken shortly before finished, shred it, and return it to the crock pot.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- This fits in a 3-quart crock pot. Cut it in half, and it will fit in a 2-quart crock pot. You can use a larger crock pot but it will cook faster. Details are in the post above.
- Use chicken breast or thighs.
- Add mushrooms if you wish.
- Good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for 3-4 months.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor's Note: Originally published February 2, 2013. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Gail says
I just love your recipes. I've been looking for a site for 2 people. It has every thing I want in recipes and so much more. My first dish will be the crockpot chicken cacciatore. I haven't used my crockpot in years and hubby loves this dish with tons of peppers So grateful to have to have you. I'm going to be trying mostly all of the recipe. Maybe everyday. ha ha
Rose Dasta says
I am very interested in crockpot recipes for me and my husband. I see that there is an option to change the serving size, but I'm not sure how that works. Can you please advise and thanks.
DrDan says
The number of servings can be adjusted in the recipe card area. Where it says servings: you can highlight the number and replace it with what your want or use the up and down arrows to the right of the number.
Dan
Carrie says
Wonderful! I think 5 hours on low was perfect. Added 1 tsp of oregano. Hubby loved it. My picky 3-year old loved it even with the 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper. Thank you for this healthy, well-engineered recipe!
DrDan says
Thanks so much for the note. This should remind people than all crock pots are a little different.
DrDan
Desirae says
Found you on Pinterest. I tweaked one bit by using a pinch or ground red pepper instead of flakes only because of the three littles in the house. I have it on high as I need it in a bit less time than available cooked at low. Very much looking forward to our lunch.
DrDan says
Hope it works out well for you. The red pepper is always to taste anyways
DrDan
Laura says
It was eaten in its entirety all the same ! I did adds lots of sugar to lessen the blow though and it helped a little. Everyone liked it but the next time I'll try to make it so that I can enjoy it as well - everyone else can always add more heat if they want ! Thanks so much.
Dr Dan says
That would be to much. I'm so sorry... It was correct in the ingredients but not in the instructions in the post, the recipe at the bottom of the post nor the printout. All are fixed now. A typo multiplied by cut and paste.
Unknown says
I just recently started following your blog and have already made a few things, which have all turned out great!
This looks very tasty and easy. I love that you cook with normal, minimally processed ingredients, and lay everything out for a good look. Thanks!