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    Home » Keto, Paleo, or Gluten Free

    Published: Nov 9, 2020 · Modified: Jan 24, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chicken cacciatore is an easy slow-cooker recipe that is hearty, tasty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. This Crockpot cacciatore recipe is so easy and results in a rich tomato sauce packed with vegetables, chicken, and flavor. It is the perfect meal for a busy weekday since there is little prep and then you let it cook all day long on low so it is ready by dinnertime. 

    Simply serve chicken cacciatore with pasta, rice, polenta, spaghetti squash, or any of my other recommendations below and you have a complete meal that is healthy and delicious. This recipe, like my Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak, is a family favorite that my kids request for dinner - it is that good.

    Chicken dinner recipes are a popular item for what is on the menu each night in many homes.  It is always great to have a few quick recipes in your rotation and this should be one of them.  The beauty of this recipe too is you can adjust a few things to ensure your favorite vegetables are used. Or adjust it to make it keto since it is already low carb as written like my Keto Classic Italian Lasagna recipe.

    It is a great combination of both fresh and pantry ingredients that are literally thrown together into the slow cooker to become the perfect chicken cacciatore dinner that adults and kids will love. Using a store-bought jar of spaghetti sauce is a great shortcut. After all, chicken with pasta is a great combination and this Italian recipe showcases that. If you like your chicken saucy, try a cream sauce with this yummy recipe for Creamy Chicken in a Lemon Dill Butter Sauce - OMG!

    What Does Cacciatore Mean?

    I have had several friends ask me what chicken cacciatore is and what it means. Simply put, cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. In cuisine, "alla cacciatora" refers to a meal prepared “hunter-style” which typically includes onions, herbs, tomatoes, often bell peppers and mushrooms, and sometimes wine. Cacciatore is popularly made with braised chicken or rabbit.

    For this recipe, I am using boneless skinless chicken breasts but chicken thighs, rabbits, or even duck can be used for a lovely cacciatore meal.  I have made it this way for years as it is just like grandma's authentic chicken cacciatore recipe that I grew up with.

    Jump to:
    • What Goes Well with Chicken Cacciatore?
    • How to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
    • Ingredients for Homemade Cacciatore Recipe
    • How to Make Cacciatore in the Crock-Pot
    • How Long to Cook Chicken Cacciatore
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Storing Chicken Cacciatore
    • PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    What Goes Well with Chicken Cacciatore?

    The possibilities of what to serve with homemade chicken cacciatore are endless.  The most popular way to eat chicken cacciatore is with pasta.   It is commonly served over spaghetti, linguine, or egg noodles. However, no matter what you love or how your diet or lifestyle is, there is something that pairs beautifully with this rich and hearty cacciatore dish. 

    For those that want something low-carb, keto, grain-free, paleo, or Whole30, I recommend spaghetti squash, and cauliflower rice, or eat it just as is like an Italian chicken stew.    For anyone with gluten sensitivities, those options work also but I also recommend serving this chicken cacciatore recipe with rice, soft polenta, or gluten-free pasta. Need side dishes and Italian recipes? Enjoy more ideas for what to serve with chicken cacciatore.

    How to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    This recipe includes a combination of pantry staples and fresh vegetables and chicken.   For a shortcut to make this a bit easier, I recommend using your favorite store-bought marinara sauce.  Our favorite is Rao's Homemade Marinara due to its natural ingredients and that it doesn't include sugar (yes, many jar pasta sauces have sweeteners added!) This recipe will be low-carb and keto-friendly when using a no-sugar marinara.

    Ingredients for Homemade Cacciatore Recipe

    For this slow cooker version, the chicken cacciatore is made with boneless breasts. This recipe also calls for fresh bell peppers, mushrooms, and diced onions (you can omit the onions if doing keto or want an even lower carb count.  I like a combination of different colored bell peppers for more color.  In addition, dried herbs, tomato paste, and marinara sauce go into the slow cooker to make the cacciatore. As is, it is a rich and hearty paleo chicken cacciatore recipe. Also optional, add red wine to complete the recipe if you are not doing paleo or low-carb. 

    For a quick and easy keto chicken cacciatore dinner, this recipe works great.  Simply omit the red wine, and then at the end add some heavy whipping cream for a tomato cream sauce that is to die for!  You will have a wonderful low-carb and keto-friendly cacciatore recipe that goes great with spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or just as is with a big salad. 

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore ingredients

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore ingredients

    How to Make Cacciatore in the Crock-Pot

    Place the four boneless skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker insert.   Season liberally on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

    chicken seasoned

    chicken seasoned

    Add Vegetables to the Slow Cooker

    Dice the vegetables and add them to the slow cooker (oops, mushrooms were off to the right and camera shy!)

     

    Add Remaining Ingredients

    For the last step, add the marinara sauce, tomato paste, dried herbs, and optional red wine.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore final step

    Add tomato sauce and spices

    How Long to Cook Chicken Cacciatore

    After stirring all the ingredients together, set your slow cooker/Crockpot to low.  If yours has a timer also set it for 8 hours or just keep track of the time.  This recipe will be done after it simmers on low for 8 hours. 

    Keep the lid closed and try to only stir 1 or 2 times during those hours.  This helps keep the temperature even, the moisture in the slow cooker, and the old saying "if you are looking, you ain't cooking" comes to mind!

    Once the 8 hours are done, the chicken cacciatore is complete. Keep it warm while you make the additional dinner menu items.   If you want to add more fat to your diet, such as on a keto diet, at this point add ½ C of heavy whipping cream to the chicken cacciatore and stir to combine.  Let warm and combine for about 30 minutes on warm before serving.   For side dishes or what to serve this with, see the detailed section above.   ENJOY!

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Substitutions & Variations

    This Italian classic is wonderful as is but here are a few other ideas to make this recipe. These alternative ingredients and changes are just as good as the recipe below.

    • Chicken Breasts - use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
    • Marinara Sauce - use crushed tomatoes canned or jarred instead.
    • Spicy - double the amount of red pepper flakes.

    This recipe is already low-fat, low-carb, and gluten-free. No changes are needed.

    Storing Chicken Cacciatore

    This recipe is great for meal planning. It can be made ahead of time since it stores very well in both the refrigerator and freezer. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat thawed cacciatore in the microwave or stovetop.

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore PIN

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore PIN

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

     
     
    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Angela
    Chicken cacciatore is an easy slow cooker recipe that is hearty, tasty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. This Crockpot cacciatore recipe is so easy and results in a rich tomato sauce packed with vegetables, chicken, and flavor.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 8 hrs
    Total Time 8 hrs 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 & ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 medium onion diced (omit for keto version)
    • 1 C bell pepper seeded and diced
    • 1 C white mushrooms sliced
    • 1 28oz Jar Rao's Marinara sauce
    • 1 TB tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
    • ½ C red wine OPTIONAL (omit for keto version)
    • ½ C heavy whipping cream OPTIONAL (add at the end for keto version)
    • fresh basil leaves - for garnish washed and dried

    Instructions
     

    • Place the four boneless skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker insert.   Season liberally on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
    • Dice the vegetables and add them to the chicken in the slow cooker.
    • For the last step, add the marinara sauce, tomato paste, basil, red pepper flakes, and optional red wine. Stir to combine sauce ingredients evenly over the chicken breasts at the bottom.
    • After stirring all the ingredients together, set your slow cooker/Crockpot to low.  If yours has a timer also set it for 8 hours or just keep track of the time. 
    • FOR KETO/TOMATO CREAM SAUCE VERSION - If you want to add more fat to your diet, such as on a keto diet, at this point add ½ C of heavy whipping cream to the chicken cacciatore and stir to combine.  Let warm and combine for about 30 minutes on warm before serving.  
    • For side dishes or what to serve this with, see the detailed section above.   Garnish with fresh basil. ENJOY!

    Notes

    Per the recipe with onion & red wine but no heavy cream.  
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 6
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 411
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 7.8g 10%
    Saturated Fat 0.4g 2%
    Cholesterol 173mg 58%
    Sodium 1050mg 46%
    Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
    Dietary Fiber 2.9g 10%
    Total Sugars 5.2g  
    Protein 71.3g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 10mg 1%
    Iron 3mg 14%
    Potassium 149mg 3%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
     
    FOR THE KETO VERSION - no onion or red wine but add the heavy cream  = 5.8 net carbs  
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 6
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 456
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 15.2g 19%
    Saturated Fat 5g 25%
    Cholesterol 201mg 67%
    Sodium 1056mg 46%
    Total Carbohydrate 8.3g 3%
    Dietary Fiber 2.5g 9%
    Total Sugars 4.3g  
    Protein 71.5g  
    Vitamin D 10mcg 52%
    Calcium 18mg 1%
    Iron 2mg 13%
    Potassium 118mg 3%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
     
    Keyword chicken, crock pot, crockpot, diabetic, dinner, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, keto, paleo, slow cooker, whole30

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Caroline Parrott says

      November 09, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Perfect timing! I was just looking for a couple new cool weather crock pot ideas. Thank you! ps-thighs be OK instead of breasts right? Would you change anything considering that substitution?

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 09, 2020 at 8:59 am

        Yes, chicken thighs would do just fine. If you are using boneless skinless thighs, the cooking time would be the same. I would likely use 6 for this recipe vs 4 breasts given that the thighs are a smaller portion size. Enjoy and let me know what you think once you try the thighs.

        Reply
    2. Karie says

      November 09, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      This looks delicious! I need new recipes for chicken.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 09, 2020 at 4:32 pm

        I think everyone is on the lookout for new chicken dinner ideas and I hope you enjoy this homemade cacciatore.

        Reply
    3. Cindy Mailhot says

      November 09, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      Crock pot cooking is one of my favorite cooking methods during the work week. This looks yummy.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 09, 2020 at 4:31 pm

        CrockPot for the weekday chicken recipe win!

        Reply
    4. Alexis Farmer says

      November 09, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Chicken cacciatore looks good! I’ve never had it but definitely need to try it now.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 11, 2020 at 1:55 pm

        I hope you enjoy this new recipe.

        Reply
    5. Annette says

      November 09, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      I love a delicious Italian dinner!!! Great for a cooler evening!!

      Reply
    6. Elaina says

      November 10, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Yum, we've been eating a lot more at home and I was starting to run out of ideas.

      Reply
    7. Sabrina DeWalt says

      November 10, 2020 at 10:27 am

      This recipe looks wonderful. We always like to have some easy, low prep recipes for those nights we just don't feel like putting in the effort.

      Reply
    8. Amanda says

      November 10, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      This looks hearty & delicious! Slow cooker recipes are a life saver for this busy mom.

      Reply
    9. Kendra says

      November 10, 2020 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! What a wonderful comfort meal! I had no idea what Cacciatore meant! Very cool to learn about it!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 11, 2020 at 11:21 am

        Glad you liked the recipe, Kendra, plus learned something along the way.

        Reply
    10. Barbara says

      November 10, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      Looks good!

      Reply
    11. Dee | Grammy's Grid says

      November 11, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Looks yummy! Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 18, open until November 26. Shared.

      Reply
    12. Elise Ho says

      November 14, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      5 stars
      It's been a while since I have dragged out my slow cooker. Now I am thinking that it is time 🙂

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 15, 2020 at 4:14 pm

        It is worth dragging it out, this recipe is easy, comforting, and delicious.

        Reply
    13. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

      November 14, 2020 at 3:27 pm

      Great recipe and so easy! Thanks for sharing at the what's for dinner party. I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

      Reply
    14. Miz Helen says

      November 16, 2020 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday,510 this week. Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply

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