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You know what always brings back memories? My Italian grandmother’s Chicken Cacciatore. I can still picture those Sunday dinners, me as a kid, carefully pushing aside the peppers and onions (which, ironically, I can’t get enough of now!). It was probably my first adventure into spicy food, and what an introduction it was.
Here’s what I love about this dish – it’s perfect when you’re drowning in garden vegetables. Got too many cherry tomatoes, peppers, and onions? This is your answer. And the best part? You can toss it all in a slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Don’t worry if it’s not harvest season though. I’ve got a trick – I vacuum-seal and freeze my garden veggies so I can make this cozy meal even in the middle of winter. Whether you’re using fresh vegetables from your garden, frozen ones, or whatever looks good at the farmers’ market, this recipe’s got your back.
At its heart, Chicken Cacciatore is comfort food at its finest – tender chicken swimming in a rich sauce with tomatoes and sweet peppers. While traditionalists might stick to the stovetop, I’m all about the slow cooker. The way it makes the chicken fall-apart tender is just unbeatable.
About Chicken Cacciatore
Fun fact: “Cacciatore” actually means “hunter” in Italian. Back in the day, Italian hunters would cook whatever game they caught – rabbit, pheasant, you name it – with whatever vegetables they had on hand. It was their version of a post-hunt power meal!
The recipe’s evolved differently across Italy – down south, they throw in olives and capers for a salty kick, while up north, they might add mushrooms or wine. My version keeps it simple, but feel free to make it your own!
And let’s talk about spice – you can really play with the heat level here. Whether you want just a hint of warmth or something that’ll wake up your taste buds, it’s totally up to you. Plus, it freezes like a dream, and somehow the flavors get even better over time.
If you can swing it, try making your own Roasted Tomato Sauce. Sure, the store-bought stuff works, but there’s something special about homemade sauce. Those caramelized flavors really take this dish from great to absolutely fantastic.
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Crock-Pot Chicken Cacciatore
If you don’t know how to make chicken cacciatore in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker, you’ll be thrilled to know this dish is only one-step long and is a great way to use up your end of season cherry tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x
- Category: Entrées
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 small onions (2-3″ diameter) sliced into strips (I like to make them big so picky eaters can remove them)
- Two handfuls of cherry tomatoes whole
- 3 bell peppers, cored and sliced into strips
- 16 oz jar of tomato sauce ( I suggest our Roasted Tomato Sauce!)
- 3 basil leaves
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Optional: Prepared pasta or rice
Instructions
- Toss everything in a slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on low.
- Use a fork to tear the chicken, and serve alone, or over-prepared pasta or rice.
If you try this Chicken Cacciatore recipe, let me know what you think!
