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Get It NowThis easy slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe (a.k.a. Crock Pot chicken cacciatore) is one of my favorite low-effort chicken dinners and one of my fave slow cooker recipes. It’s packed with protein and plenty of vegetables that are gently cooked for maximum flavor and minimal work.
The process is as simple as searing the chicken breast and browning the veggies before putting them all together in the slow cooker, but you can even skip the browning step if you’re in a rush.
What Is Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish prepared “hunter style” (cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian) and typically features tender chicken in a rustic sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Rich, comforting flavors
- Juicy, tender chicken
- Flavorful, savory tomato sauce
- Common pantry ingredients
- Quick 10-minute prep
- Naturally gluten-free and low carb
- Much easier in the slow cooker than the stovetop
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for the best crock pot chicken cacciatore, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic tastes much better in this recipe, but you could also use 1 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Onion – I picked a yellow onion for this dish, but use any color you prefer.
- Red Bell Pepper – A red one blends nicely with the tomatoes, but use any color you like.
- Diced Tomatoes – Use a canned variety and drain.
- Herbs – Fresh rosemary and fresh thyme are classic choices for this dish, but you can easily substitute fresh basil if you prefer it. You can also add a teaspoon of dried oregano (or Italian seasoning) for extra flavor, or red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Chicken Breasts – You could also use boneless chicken thighs or bone-in chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Bay Leaf – Adds a subtle but unique flavor of herbs to the dish. Be sure to remove it before serving.
VARIATION: Add mushrooms!
Add sliced cremini mushrooms to the rest of the veggies for a savory and earthy flavor.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This section shows how to make chicken cacciatore in the Crock Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Season the chicken. Sprinkle chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken. Heat the oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for a few minutes on each side, until golden.
TIP: Don’t move the chicken around while searing it.
This will ensure that the chicken browns well.
- Saute the veggies. Add more oil to the pan. Add onions and red peppers. Saute until the onions are translucent and browned. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Combine. Place chicken into a slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme to the pan with the vegetables. Stir together, then pour evenly over chicken. Place a bay leaf in the center.
- Cook. Cook chicken cacciatore in the slow cooker (see time recommendations on the recipe card below).
- Thicken. You can serve right away, but if you prefer a thicker sauce, remove chicken and cook the sauce for an additional hour in the slow cooker on Low.
TIP: If you’re short on time, you can skip the browning step.
You can stir the sauce ingredients together into a bowl instead. However, the flavors are deeper and more developed if you sear the chicken and saute the veggies – it’s definitely worth the extra 10 minutes it takes!
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: This easy Crock Pot chicken cacciatore reheats really well. Simply warm in the microwave, on the stove top, or in the slow cooker until hot.
- Freeze: This dish freezes well, too! Place it in a zip lock bag, remove excess air, and freeze for up to 6 months. You can even double the recipe to enjoy half for dinner and the other half as a freezer meal for later.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This chicken cacciatore Crock Pot recipe is pictured above with a simple side salad, but more traditionally it’s served over rice or pasta. There are plenty of side dishes to choose from depending on your preferences:
- Potatoes – Roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes make classic sides, or choose healthier options like cauliflower mashed potatoes.
- Pasta And Rice – Try this dish over a bed of pasta or conventional rice, or for lighter options try swaps like zucchini noodles, caramelized and roasted spaghetti squash, or homemade cauliflower rice.
- Vegetables – Try sweet roasted fennel, fast sauteed broccoli, or crisp air fryer green beans to make a complete meal.
More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
Need more hearty chicken dishes? If so, check out my collection of Crock Pot chicken recipes! I have something for everyone:
Recommended Tools
- Slow Cooker – This Crock Pot may be basic, but it does everything I need it to and for a great price!
- Saute Pan – Both the chicken and veggies can be cooked in this pan and the ceramic surface means no sticking!
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (So Easy!)
This easy Crock Pot chicken cacciatore recipe slow cooks chicken in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onion, bell peppers & fresh herbs.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Fast Method:
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Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the chicken into the slow cooker.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the garlic, onion, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, rosemary and thyme. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
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Place a bay leaf in the center.
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Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.
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Serve right away. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and cook the sauce for an additional hour in the slow cooker on low.
More Flavorful Method:
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Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
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Heat a tablespoon (15 mL) of oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for a few minutes on each side, until golden. (It does not have to be cooked through inside.) Place the chicken into the slow cooker.
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Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the onions and red peppers. Saute for 7 to 10 minutes, until onions are translucent and browned.
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Add the garlic and saute for another minute, until fragrant.
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Add the diced tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme to the pan. Stir together, then pour evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
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Place a bay leaf in the center.
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Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.
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Serve right away. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and cook the sauce for an additional hour in the slow cooker on low.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 chicken breast with Cacciatore sauce
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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51 Comments
Nicole
0This recipe was amazing and delicious. I did the savory way and it was so good both my husband and I are crazy about it. I added a few big cloves of garlic, I cut up fresh rosemary and fresh basil and I used a fresh bay leaf. I cooked it on high for 3 hours and it was falling apart. Thank you for this fantastic recipe. It’s a new favorite in my house!
Melanie Hunt
0I was very disappointed that the chicken, after 6 hours on low, was not fall apart tender. It was tough chewing. What did I do wrong?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Melanie, This recipe could take up to 8 hours on low.
Sally Max
0Delicious! I used chicken thighs. Next time may I use dry spices in the Chicken Cacciatore recipe?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sally, Yes, you could use that spice mix.
Monique
0If i cut up chicken into bite size pieces, how long should I cook it for on low?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Monique, I suggest following the times written in the recipe.
Cristin
0I plan on making this and I love rosemary but in the past when I’ve chopped it rather than placing whole spigs, it’s hard and unpleasant to eat. Has anyone tried and found it ok or just thrown in a sprig? Thanks!
Liz
0This was such a great way to use my slow cooker!! I’m going to make this all summer long, so I Don’t have to heat up my oven!
Lindsey
0YAAAAS! This chicken cacciatore was divine! My whole family loved it (even my picky Mother in Law!). So a million thanks for that lol
Lisa
0The chicken was so tender and juicy. It’s the only way to cook a chicken cacciatore!
Rose
0This was very flavorful and delicious. The whole family enjoyed, I’m going to save it and make it again.
Claire
0I cannot get over how easy this was to make for how much flavor there was!! I just popped it all in the slow cooker before work and 8 hours later we had dinner! The kids loved it. We had it over some pasta with a side salad and it was such a delicious meal we are going to have it again ext week!
KJB from Michigan
0My husband and I really enjoyed this meal! It was so easy to make. Just the right fit for us!
Jennifer Mikulik
0Love your recipes and so do my family and friends. Keep up the great work!
SHANNA
0This was delicious. I served it with cauliflower mash and my family LOVED it! I will be making this again soon.
Martha Whitt
0You need to also put the sodium content in the nutrition. I was looking at the chicken cacciatore which really looks good but in reading the nutrition I did not find the sodium content.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Martha, Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. If you have more questions please refer to my nutrition policy.
Gail
0Fresh herbs are too expensive for a one time use recipe. How much dried herbs for the Thyme and Rosemary would I use to replace the fresh?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Gail, To replace fresh herbs with dried, use 1/3 the amount.
Sandra
0What could be used instead of diced tomatoes? My son and tomatoes don’t get along with each other. Should the spices also be changed as well? Thank You.
Sandra W.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Sandra, Feel free to use more red bell peppers in place of the tomatoes. There won’t be any need to adjust the seasonings if you use more peppers. Enjoy!
Debbie
0Can this be made in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Debbie, Yes you can cook this in the oven. To get similar flavors to the crockpot version, I recommend cooking in a covered dutch oven. Bake at 350 degrees F until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Mary F.
0Made your slow cooker chicken cacciatore today for dinner. I did your flavorful version. It was very easy. My husband is a very picky eater and he liked it and said I should keep this one. I served his with regular pasta while I used the Miracle Noodles. Will put this on my regular rotation.
Beth
0Just made this and it is sooooo good. My hubby loved it too! Best part was I had all the ingredients so no special shopping and my house smelled fantastic all day. I used the slower more flavorful approach and so glad I did. Thank you Maya for another wonderful recipe!
Stephanie Watson
0I have been doing Keto for over 2 weeks now and your recipes have been a lifesaver. I wasn’t sure this would have enough flavor as I am used to using marinara sauce with my Cacciatore. I was glad I tried it anyway because it was so delicious and tender. The tomatoes and bell pepper mixture was more than enough to cover my 5 chicken breasts. We just added some cheese at the end and topped it with basil and we were good to go. My kids ate it all and that says plenty. I did only cook this on low for 5 hours and that was more than long enough for the size of my chicken breast. I didn’t even need a knife to cut it.
Kirsten White
0Could this be made in an instant pot? Do you happen to know what the conversion would be, 10-12 min? Would there need to be more liquid added? Thank you!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Kristen, As long as your chicken is not frozen, you can use the poultry setting on your Instant Pot.
Robin DiPietro
0How many ounces would you say these chicken breasts are? I’m trying to get an accurate measure to track nutrition.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Robin, A medium-sized chicken breast is roughly 6 oz. Your macros will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts you use. I hope this helps.
TerryF
0This was very good! I used what I had in the house – drums and thighs and a larger can of tomatoes. Cooked on low for 7 hours but I think 6 would work next time. I also did it the easier way. Thanks for the recipe!
Danika
0What “sauce” is in the crockpot? It doesn’t say anything in the recipe about adding a liquid to the crockpot? Trying to make it tonight. Please let me know.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Danika, As the chicken and vegetable start to cook down they will give off their own juices, creating the sauce. No additional liquid is necessary.
Talya
0Making this for the second time as it turned out absolutely delicious – a big hit with the whole family!
Karly
0Yum! Definitely adding this to the rotation!
Tara
0So delicious, and I love that it’s made in the slow cooker!
Caroline
0Love how easy this was in the slow cooker.
Renee Goerger
0I love a good slow cooker chicken dinner, and this one was a winner!
Sandi
0You outdid yourself on this recipe. My family is going to love the flavors!!
Toni
0I loved it!! Such a flavorful meal for weeknights!
Jillian Wade
0I’m on a low carb diet, and this recipe was just the thing to satisfy my Italian comfort food craving!
Davinah
0Everything about this recipe is delicious! I think that I might add a dry white wine for an extra kick to the sauce!
Jessica Formicola
0I made this for dinner last night and it was a total hit! Thanks for sharing!
Shannah
0This chicken cacciatore in the slow cooker sounds incredible! I can imagine how mouth watering it is just smelling it cook throughout the day!
Kelly Anthony
0I love this chicken cacciatore recipe!!
Kristina
0Love.Love.Love. This dish! Those flavors really melded together when cooked in the slow cooker.
Abbe@This is How I Cook
0My mom used to make this a lot. But never in a slow cooker! Sounds great!
Danielle
0This is so yummy! Can’t believe it’s low carb. I love how you included the quick directions as well!
Shashi
0I have already had dinner but this is making me so hungry!
Carrie
0This was delicious. Thanks!