Transform your family meals with Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. Tender chicken thighs meld beautifully with green bell pepper and mushrooms in a rich tomato sauce. Serve it with your favourite sides for a great meal that everyone will enjoy.
Inspired by its Italian heritage, this dish embodies the essence of traditional hunter-style cooking. Simple, rustic, and full of flavour.
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Calories in Chicken Cacciatore
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore serves 5 and and is 283 calories per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 200+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Needed
to make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Olive Oil: adds a fruity richness and smooth texture, enhancing the depth of flavour in Chicken Cacciatore
- Chicken Thighs: Tender and juicy, chicken thighs add richness and depth of flavour, staying succulent during slow cooking.
- Chopped Canned Tomatoes: The base of the sauce, offering balanced sweetness and acidity. Use a good quality brand in a rich tomato sauce.
- Tomato Paste: Thickens the sauce and intensifies its robust tomato flavour.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Brightens the sauce with a touch of acidity and a slight tang. I use this instead of red wine.
- Onion: Provides sweetness and aromatic depth as the flavourful foundation.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the sauce.
- Mushrooms: Contribute meaty texture and umami richness, soaking up the sauce.
- Green Bell Pepper: Adds mild sweetness and a pop of colour.
- Carrot: Brings natural sweetness, earthy notes, and adds texture and colour.
- Stock Cube: Enhances savoury depth, complementing the chicken and vegetables. 1 teaspoon of bouillon paste can be used as a substitute if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Red Pepper Flakes: Adds aromatic complexity with sweet, peppery, and slightly spicy notes. I used dried varieties but use fresh if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Choosing the Best Slow Cooker
Choosing the best slow cooker can significantly enhance your kitchen experience. Look for one with both low and high temperature settings to adapt cooking times to your schedule. A sear and sauté function is beneficial for browning ingredients directly in the cooker, although it's not necessary for this Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Chicken Curry—simply combine everything, set it, and let it cook to perfection.
Also Consider a slow cooker with a keep-warm function to maintain your meal at the ideal serving temperature until you're ready to eat. Removable, dishwasher-safe inserts make cleanup easy. Choose a slow cooker that fits your needs and lifestyle to make your cooking effortless and enjoyable.
I use the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker which is an 8in1 slow cooker with removable non stick pot and love it for cooking my slow cooker recipes.
Converting to Oven Cooking
If you don't have a slow cooker but still want to enjoy this delicious Chicken Cacciatore, you can easily adapt the recipe for oven cooking. Follow these steps to convert the recipe:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) for a fan-assisted oven, 180°C (350°F) for a conventional oven, or Gas Mark 4.
- Prepare Ingredients: Prepare the ingredients as instructed in the original recipe.
- Layer Ingredients: Layer the ingredients in a Dutch oven or lidded oven-proof pot, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Cover and Cook: Cover the pot tightly with its lid or with aluminium foil to seal in moisture. Place it in the preheated oven.
- Cooking Time: Cook the stew in the oven for approximately 1 hour. Check the dish periodically to ensure it's cooking evenly and add a little water or stock if needed to prevent it from drying out.
- Check for Doneness: After 1 hour, check the doneness of the chicken and vegetables to ensure they're cooked through and tender. If needed, continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes+, depending on your oven's performance and the size of your ingredients.
- Serve: Once cooked to perfection, serve the Chicken Cacciatore with your favourite sides and enjoy the delicious flavours!
By following these steps and using a Dutch oven or lidded oven-proof pot, you can successfully convert the slow cooker recipe to oven cooking.
Sides for Chicken Cacciatore
Wondering what sides to serve with this delicious recipe? Here are some of my favourites:
- Spaghetti or Pasta: One of the most classic pairings with Chicken Cacciatore is a bed of al dente spaghetti or your favourite pasta.
- Black Olives: Black olives add a burst of briny flavour that complements the richness of the cacciatore sauce. Add to the sauce or serve on the side.
- Long Grain Rice: Cooked rice makes a great side for soaking up the delicious rich sauce.
- Steamed Green Beans: For a touch of freshness, steamed green beans provide a crisp and vibrant contrast to the rich, hearty flavours of the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: A medley of roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, brings out natural sweetness and adds a comforting, earthy element to the meal.
These sides not only complement the flavours of Chicken Cacciatore but also provide variety, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying meal for everyone at the table.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Looking for some more slow cooker recipes? Check out the following:
See more Slow Cooker Recipes →
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
While you can use chicken breast if you prefer, chicken thighs are recommended as they keep the more tender and juicy during the slow cooking process. Thighs also contribute a richer flavour to the dish.
Absolutely! Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore freezes well. Once the dish has cooled completely, transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Yes, you can! To make Chicken Cacciatore on the stove, start by browning the chicken in a large pot or Dutch oven. Remove the chicken, then sauté the onions, garlic, and other vegetables. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer covered on low heat for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Keep in mind that when cooking on the stove, the liquid will reduce more quickly, so you may need to add some stock or water to maintain the desired sauce consistency.
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Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore - tender chicken thighs meld beautifully with green bell pepper and mushrooms in a rich tomato sauce. Serve it with your favourite sides for a great meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- salt and black pepper
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (700g/24.7oz)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed (or can use 1 tablespoon of jarred mince garlic)
- 250g (8.8oz) of mushrooms sliced
- 1 small carrot, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 800g (28oz) of chopped tomatoes in rich tomato sauce, canned
- ½ teaspoon each of dried oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil
- pinch of red pepper (chilli) flakes
- 1 handful of fresh parsley finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
- 1 chicken stock cube (or use 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon paste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat (can use the slow cooker if it has a saute/sear function)
- Season the chicken well on both sides with salt and black pepper
- Once pan is hot, Add the chicken and just lightly sear each side until golden.
- Transfer to the slow cooker, add in the remaining ingredients (except the fresh parsley) and cook on high for 3 hour or low for 6 hour.
- Stir in the fresh parsley, Taste and season as needed with salt and black pepper
- Serve and enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Dairy Free Friendly
- Gluten Free Friendly - ensure stock cube is free of gluten
- Freezer Friendly ❄️
- Whole30/Paleo Friendly
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 283Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 105mgSodium 430mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 28g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Helen Rumsey says
Hi am making this later today, have you done it in pressure cooker. If so how long would it need to cook. I’m rushing off to work so haven’t time to put in slow cooker.
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
I've only tested this recipe using the method provided, so adjustments may be needed in certain areas to make it suitable for a pressure cooker.
Sarah-Jayne says
Tried this on Sunday. OMG! The flavours. Absolutely exquisite. Will have again and again.
Tania says
Excellent! We loved it!
Warm & comforting.
Argiro Zoubrouli says
There is no need of water?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
No you don't need to add water, liquid does not reduce in a slow cooker, and the chicken will release it's own juices.
Tess says
Hello, this is one of my all time favourite dishes, all the family love it. I am hearing a lot lately about dump bags. Could this recipe be prepared using this method? I need to get more brave when it comes to putting raw meat and veg into a bag together.
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes I should think that would work with this recipe.