Description
This Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore features tender, flavorful chicken thighs simmered with bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and a rich tomato sauce infused with oregano and capers. Perfect for an easy, comforting meal, this dish pairs beautifully with linguine for a hearty Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lb. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 8 oz. baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Swanson Chicken Broth
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup capers
To Serve
- 8 oz. cooked linguine
Instructions
- Seasoning and layering chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides, then place them directly into the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Adding vegetables and sauce ingredients: Add the chopped bell peppers, sliced baby Bella mushrooms, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a bit more salt and pepper to enhance the depth of flavors. Stir gently to combine without disturbing the chicken too much.
- Slow cooking: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. The slow cooking process tenderizes the chicken and allows all the ingredients to meld into a rich, savory sauce.
- Finishing the sauce and plating: Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker. Stir the capers into the remaining sauce to add a burst of briny flavor. Serve the chicken thighs over the cooked linguine, spooning the vibrant sauce over the top to complete the dish.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 tsp or more according to your heat preference.
- Bone-in chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness; boneless thighs can be substituted but may cook more quickly.
- Feel free to use any pasta of your choice, such as spaghetti or fettuccine, instead of linguine.
- If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 chicken thigh with sauce and 1/6 of pasta)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
