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Love chicken dinners? Love slow cooker meals? Love Italian food? Then you will LOVE this slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe! This healthy chicken cacciatore is packed with protein and plenty of vegetables that are slowly cooked for maximum flavor and minimal work. And of course, it’s low carb and keto. But everyone – no matter what diet they follow – will enjoy this Crock Pot chicken cacciatore.
I’m sharing a lot of low carb serving ideas for crock pot chicken cacciatore below, but in my house we love having it over zoodles and topped with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.
How To Make Chicken Cacciatore
It’s so easy to make this healthy chicken cacciatore in a Crock Pot, it’s been on repeat for busy nights at our house! The process is as simple as searing the chicken breast and browning the veggies before putting them all together in the slow cooker.
And if you don’t have 5-10 minutes to brown the chicken and veggies you can skip that step, but I highly recommend the more flavorful method. The flavors are deeper and more developed – it’s definitely worth the little time that it takes!
Lightly brown the chopped veggies. I like to cook it for long enough that the onions start to caramelize.
Sear the chicken breast until browned. It doesn’t need to be cooked through, it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
TIP: Don’t move the chicken around while searing it. This will ensure that it browns well.
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore Ingredients
We’re making this slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe with chicken breast and a few other ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Onions, peppers, diced tomatoes and some fresh herbs – that’s it!
Go see if you have everything you need! I’ll wait. 🙂
Okay, ready to cook up the best chicken cacciatore with me?
What Does Chicken Cacciatore Mean?
Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. So essentially, Chicken Cacciatore means a meal that is prepared “hunter-style” with onion, garlic, tomato and often times bell peppers. Sometimes wine is added to the mix, but I didn’t add it to my healthy chicken cacciatore recipe.
What Is Traditionally Served With Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken cacciatore is traditionally served with a starch or grain – typically pasta, polenta, rustic bread, or mashed potatoes. Obviously none of those options are low carb.
My chicken cacciatore recipe in crock pot is pictured with a simple side salad, but I also have a few other low carb side ideas that I’ll share below.
What Is The Origin Of Chicken Cacciatore?
The origin of chicken cacciatore is Italy! And within Italy, there are of course arguments over who has the best chicken cacciatore recipe.
Cacciatore in Northern Italy might include white wine, while versions from Southern Italy might include red wine. Some versions here in the United States may be made with marinara sauce, but I kept it pretty classic with diced tomatoes.
Can You Make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Ahead?
There are a few ways to make this slow cooker chicken cacciatore ahead of time. This meal reheats really well so you can cook the entire recipe and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat. Simply reheat in the microwave or stove top until hot.
Another option to make it ahead is to cook the veggie portion of the cacciatore, store in the refrigerator, and then add it into the slow cooker when you’re ready to start cooking.
How To Freeze Easy Chicken Cacciatore
You can freeze this easy chicken cacciatore after you cook it, simply thaw in the refrigerator, and reheat in the microwave or stove top until hot.
Another option is to turn this into a make-ahead freezer meal, simply follow the fast version below, but instead of putting it in the slow cooker, put it in a freezer bag and freeze flat. Let it thaw overnight and then cook as directed in the recipe card below. I haven’t tried this, so let me know if you do! It should work fine as you’re just prepping it ahead of time but still cooking it in the same way.
PRO TIP: If you’re making this Crock Pot chicken cacciatore recipe with boneless breast, double the recipe and turn one into a freezer meal. See the directions above.
What To Serve With This Healthy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
As I mentioned above, traditionally cacciatore is served with a carb – which doesn’t work for us low carb and keto people! It’s pictured with a simple side salad, which is a great side, but here are a few other ideas:
- Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes – You won’t lose any delicious chicken cacciatore sauce on a bed of fluffy mashed cauliflower. (And that’s a good thing.)
- Zucchini Noodles – The best option if you want to serve it on “pasta.”
- Roasted Radishes – These taste like roasted potatoes!
- Low Carb Garlic Bread – Be sure to soak up any extra sauce with this garlic bread that’s made out of cauliflower!
- MORE Keto Low Carb Side Dish Recipes & Vegetables
Tools To Make Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- 6-Quart Slow Cooker – This Crock Pot may be basic, but it does everything I need it to and for a great price!
- Ceramic Fry Pan – Both the chicken and veggies can be cooked in this pan and the ceramic surface means no sticking!
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Low Carb
The best Crock Pot slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe! Choose from 2 versions of easy Italian chicken cacciatore - quick 10 minute prep or a bit longer, more flavorful version.
Go Ad-FreeRecipe Video
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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.
How To Make Chicken Cacciatore - 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.
How To Make Chicken Cacciatore - 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 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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35 Comments
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!