Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore features chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the flavors of aromatic peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The best part? You can set it and forget it, thanks to your trusty crockpot doing all the hard work for you. This classic Italian dish is perfect for busy days when you need a hearty and satisfying meal without the fuss.
Over at Create Kids Club, we are a little obsessed with the crockpot. Crockpot chicken thighs are used in our most popular recipes on the blog – Crockpot Chicken Thighs recipe and Baked Chicken Thighs.
We love using chicken thighs for many reasons. Chicken thighs are affordable, especially when compared to other cuts of chicken like breast meat. This affordability makes them an excellent option for individuals on a budget or families looking to save money on groceries.
Chicken thighs are known for their rich, dark meat, which offers a more pronounced flavor compared to leaner cuts like chicken breast. The higher fat content in thighs adds moisture and tenderness to the meat, resulting in a juicy and succulent texture when cooked properly.
Chicken thighs are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. They can be baked, grilled, roasted, stir-fried, or even used in slow-cooker recipes. Their versatility allows for various cooking methods and flavor profiles, making them suitable for different cuisines and recipes.
Chicken thighs are more forgiving to cook than chicken breasts because of their higher fat content. The additional fat helps prevent the meat from drying out, even if slightly overcooked. This forgiving nature makes them an excellent choice for beginner cooks or those who may be less experienced in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken thighs – use fresh chicken thighs or frozen thighs that have been defrosted. We will purchase chicken thighs in bulk when on sale, freeze then thaw overnight in the fridge before making this recipe. It is a way to make this recipe even more affordable.
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Spices – the combination of paprika, basil, salt and pepper pairs well with the tomatoes. You can also sprinkle in garlic powder or red pepper flakes to elevate the flavor further.
- Vegetables – our recipe calls for onion, bell pepper and mushrooms to add a boost of nutrition to this comfort food.
How To Make
Layer the ingredients in the crockpot
To the crockpot add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir. Add the onions and peppers. Place the chicken thighs on top.
Cook
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
Add the mushrooms
Add the mushrooms about 1 hour before the chicken is done cooking.
Serve
Serve chicken thighs topped with tomato sauce.
Broiling Crockpot Chicken
Broiling chicken thighs after they have cooked in the crockpot all day, crisps the skin and makes it all the more delicious and more appetizing as well.
Once the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees you can preheat your broiler. If you are going to be removing the skin, you can skip broiling.
Place the cooked thighs on a baking sheet then under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the desired crispness is reached.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
While hearty and flavorful all on its own, this chicken cacciatore recipe also pairs well with a variety of side dishes. From rice and pasta to polenta and crusty bread, you can customize the meal to your liking.
Delicious side dish ideas include:
- Caramelized Butternut Squash
- Zucchini Crisps
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites
- Brussels Sprout Salad
- Gluten Free Artisan Bread Recipe
- Microwave Mashed Potatoes
Storage Instructions
To store chicken cacciatore, allow the dish to cool down completely then place in the fridge or freezer.
In the Fridge
Add the chicken, tomato sauce and mushrooms to an appropriate storage container such as one with a resealable lid. Store for up to 5 days. Discard after the 5th day due to food safety concerns.
In the Freezer
Portion the chicken according to your needs then place in corresponding containers. You can freeze in bulk or in individual portions, which are great to warm up for kids that are coming home late from extracurricular activities.
Label the container with the date and contents to make it easier for everyone to find and identify.
Recipe Notes & Substitutions
- Swap bone-in chicken thighs for boneless chicken thighs.
- Use chicken breasts or turkey as an alternative.
- You could sauté the vegetables for a richer flavor prior to adding them to the crockpot.
- Placing the crockpot chicken thighs under the broiler crisps the skin quickly.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- This recipe features a variety of spices such as salt, pepper, paprika and basil. Each one helps to add flavor to the dish. There are two tips to remember when measuring spices. First, always measure in a small bowl or over the counter so if you accidentally spill, it won’t mess up the balance of flavors in the recipe. Second, always level the spices before combining. This means that the spices should lay flat across the top of the measuring spoon.
- The fresh mushrooms need to be added an hour before the chicken is done cooking. If cooking on low for 6 hours, then add the mushrooms at hour 5. If cooking on high for 3 hours, then add the mushrooms at hour 2. It is best to set the kitchen timer to help you remember!
- One of the best ways to serve this chicken Cacciatore recipe is to place the chicken thigh on a plate then use a ladle or large spoon to drizzle the tomato sauce mixture over the top. Pair with any side dish and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Whisk instant potato flakes into the tomato and veggie mixture in the slow cooker, stir until thickened.
Absolutely! Sprinkle red pepper flakes on the chicken before serving for a kick of flavor.
Due to food safety concerns, it is best to only cook fresh chicken in the slow cooker. The instant pot is a fabulous tool to use if looking to cook frozen chicken. Consider making our Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenderloins to Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs.
More Chicken Recipes
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Stovetop Seared Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Greek Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Southwest Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Quinoa Chicken Casserole
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste ✅
- 1 tablespoon paprika ✅
- 1 teaspoon dried basil ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 6 ounces fresh mushrooms
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs ✅
Instructions
- Layer the ingredients in the crockpot. To the crockpot add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir. Add the onions and peppers. Place the chicken thighs on top.28 ounces diced tomatoes, 6 ounces tomato paste, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 medium onion, 1 bell pepper, 8 bone-in chicken thighs
- Cook. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
- Add the mushrooms. Add the mushrooms about 1 hour before the chicken is done cooking.6 ounces fresh mushrooms
- Serve. Serve chicken thighs topped with tomato sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jess says
We will be making this delicious recipe frequently! My whole family loved it!