Slow cooker chicken cacciatore on a bed of pasta on a round brown plate with a brown and white towel behind all on a dark wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe: A Classic Italian Comfort Food

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Chicken cacciatore is originally an Italian chicken dish served with tomato sauce. I took it to the slow cooker for an easy version.

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Looking for an easy chicken cacciatore recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights? This slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe is the best thing you can make for a hearty, flavorful dinner with minimal effort. Using skinless chicken thighs or your preferred cut of chicken like boneless chicken thighs, this classic Italian dish delivers great flavor and tender chicken cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce.

Years ago, when I was visiting my parents during the holidays, my dad pulled out this really old slow cooker book that came with the one they got when they were married. Y’all, that was in 1985! But, this book had some delicious recipes in it, including the one he still uses to make spinach artichoke dip every Christmas.

In that handy book was a recipe for chicken cacciatore. Of course, it’s one for the slow cooker since that’s what the entire book was about. I wasn’t so sure at first but finally decided to give it a try.

According to Wikipedia, cacciatore is the Italian word for “hunter”. Thus, chicken cacciatore is prepared “hunter-style” with onions, herbs, tomatoes, and sometimes wine. It can also be made with other meats, which would only change the first word in the name. Src: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacciatore

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients for This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

  • Chicken breasts, bone-in chicken thighs, or skin-on chicken thighs (choose your favorite)
  • Tomato paste (or San Marzano tomatoes for authenticity)
  • Mushrooms
  • Red wine or white wine for depth of flavor
  • Garlic, onions, kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
  • Optional: kalamata olives, fresh parsley, parmesan cheese

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with Your Favorite Sides

Pair this Italian chicken cacciatore with:

  • Cooked pasta like spaghetti or penne
  • Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a healthier version
  • A side of white rice or crusty bread to soak up the plenty of sauce
  • Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for added flavor

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Meals

  • Use an airtight container to store leftovers safely and maintain freshness.
  • Perfect for picky eaters due to its great flavor and tender texture.
  • Ideal for those following a medically restrictive diet or calorie diet, especially when using lean cuts like skinless chicken breasts.
  • For added Italian authenticity, try Gina’s original recipe or add kalamata olives for a unique twist.

Why This Recipe is a Slow Cooker Favorite

This slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe is a simple dinner that slow cooks to perfection, making it one of the best slow cooker recipes for comfort food lovers who crave Italian flavors without the fuss. Whether you’re using a large pan or a crock pot, this dish delivers consistently delicious results.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 lb chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz tomato paste
  • 4 oz mushrooms, sliced and drained
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 drops black pepper essential oil
  • 1 drop basil essential oil
  • 1 drop celery seed essential oil
  • 2 drops oregano essential oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup white cooking wine

Preparation

Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker and add the chicken on top.

Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or high for 6 hours.

Serve over pasta or with a side of bread.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Leftovers

Storage: Store any leftover chicken cacciatore separately from the pasta that you may have made to serve with it. If the sauce is stored on the noodles, it will make them soggy.

Reheating: To reheat, I suggest putting it in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a bit of water if the sauce is too thick. Stir often so it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Recipe

Originally Published On: November 29, 2021

Last Updated On: May 30, 2025

Slow cooker chicken cacciatore on a bed of pasta on a round brown plate with a brown and white towel behind all on a dark wooden surface

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is originally an Italian chicken dish served with tomato sauce. I took it to the slow cooker for an easy version.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
|
Italian
Diet
Gluten Free
Keyword:
chicken
|
essential oils
|
mushrooms
|
slow cooker
|
tomato
Dietary Needs:
Dairy-Free
|
Egg-Free
|
Gluten-Free
|
Nut-Free
|
Paleo
Meat:
Chicken/Turkey
Cooking Method:
Slow-Cooker
Servings: 4
5 from 9 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 onion (thinly sliced)
  • 3 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 12 oz tomato paste
  • 4 oz mushrooms (sliced and drained)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 drops black pepper essential oil
  • 1 drop basil essential oil
  • 1 drop celery seed essential oil
  • 2 drops oregano essential oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup white cooking wine

Instructions

  • Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker and add the chicken on top
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine
  • Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or high for 6 hours
  • Serve over pasta or with a side of bread

Notes

If you don’t have essential oils, substitute for dried seasonings. 
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Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Amount Per Serving (3 oz)
Calories 488 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 218mg73%
Sodium 1363mg57%
Potassium 2293mg66%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 77g154%
Vitamin A 1429IU29%
Vitamin C 26mg32%
Calcium 77mg8%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

23 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe: A Classic Italian Comfort Food”

  2. Marjie Mare

    I rarely use my slow cooker. Your delicious recipe just inspires me to do so. This will be at our table on Wednesday.

    Reply
  3. Melanie williams

    This looks fab!!! Slow cooking is such a good idea and a great way to get rid of left overs to make a tasty meal. Your chicken dish, I know my husband will love x

    Reply
  4. Alice Mola

    I don’t know why I assumed slow cookers were a recent invention, but wow a book from 1985 shocked me! I think slow cookers are truly magic for the kitchen, this recipe looks so delicious especially over a plate of fresh pasta.

    Reply
  5. Predrag Kovačević

    Thanks for sharing. Looks very delicious. We love everything with chicken because we grow our own chicken.

    Reply
  10. Ave

    5 stars
    I have never made cacciatore but we do love Italian dishes. I really like easy recipes and better yet if they can be made in a slow cooker or crockpot, so I can take care of other things while the food is cooking.

    Reply
  17. Ebony

    5 stars
    I made this for my family and it was so yummy! I used shallots instead of onions for a hint of sweetness to mix with the tomato base. Other than that, this recipe is perfect!

    Reply

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