Have you ever craved a comforting, hearty Italian meal that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers incredible flavor without hours of complicated cooking? This chicken cacciatore recipe is your answer. Making this classic dish at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients, customize the flavors to your family's preferences, and create a restaurant-worthy meal at a fraction of the cost. The slow cooker chicken cacciatore variation offers even more convenience, transforming simple ingredients into a tender, flavorful masterpiece while you go about your day. Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this traditional Italian hunter's stew will become your go-to comfort food.

Ingredients List

    • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
    • 4 bone-in chicken drumsticks
    • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 large onion, sliced
    • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
    • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
    • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • Fresh basil and parsley for garnish

For the Sauce:

    • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
    • 1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 bay leaves
    • Optional: 1/4 cup pitted black or green olives
    • Optional: 2 tablespoons capers

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Total time: 60 minutes

This one-pot wonder takes about an hour from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. If using a slow cooker chicken cacciatore method, you'll need 4-6 hours on low heat for fall-off-the-bone tenderness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Season and Dredge the Chicken Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Lightly coat each piece in flour, shaking off excess. This creates a beautiful golden crust and helps thicken the sauce naturally.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until deeply golden, then flip and brown the other side. Don't overcrowd the pan—work in batches if needed. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables In the same pot with the flavorful drippings, add onions and bell peppers. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and garlic, cooking another 3 minutes. This layering builds incredible depth in your chicken cacciatore recipe.

Step 4: Build the Sauce Pour in white wine to deglaze, scraping up those tasty brown bits from the bottom. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

Step 5: Simmer Until Tender Nestle the browned chicken pieces into the sauce, skin-side up. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Add olives and capers in the last 10 minutes if using.

Step 6: Finish and Serve Remove bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Serve over pasta, polenta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the incredible sauce.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 4):

    • Calories: 485
    • Protein: 42g
    • Carbohydrates: 22g
    • Fat: 24g
    • Fiber: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 85% DV
    • Iron: 25% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Protein Swaps: Use boneless chicken breasts (reduce cooking time to 20 minutes) or chicken thighs only for a quicker cook. Turkey legs also work beautifully.

Vegetable Additions: Try adding zucchini, eggplant, or artichoke hearts for extra Mediterranean flair.

Dietary Modifications: Make it gluten-free by using rice flour or cornstarch for dredging. For keto dieters, skip the flour and serve over zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

Flavor Boosters: A splash of balsamic vinegar at the end adds wonderful complexity. Fresh rosemary sprigs simmered with the sauce create an aromatic variation.

Slow Cooker Method: After browning chicken and sautéing vegetables, transfer everything to your slow cooker with sauce ingredients. Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.

Batch Cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for an easy future meal. The flavors actually improve after a day or two.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Browning the Chicken Properly: Rushing this step means missing out on crucial flavor development. Ensure your pan is hot enough and give each side adequate time to develop a golden crust.

Overcrowding the Pan: This steams rather than browns the chicken. Work in batches to achieve proper caramelization.

Skipping the Deglazing Step: Those browned bits (fond) on the pan bottom contain incredible flavor. Always deglaze with wine or broth.

Using Skinless Chicken: The skin protects the meat from drying out and adds richness to the sauce. If you must use skinless, reduce cooking time.

Cooking Over High Heat: After returning chicken to the sauce, gentle simmering is key. High heat toughens the meat and can scorch the sauce.

Forgetting to Remove Bay Leaves: Always fish these out before serving—they're not meant to be eaten.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your slow cooker chicken cacciatore or stovetop version in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. For longer storage, freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months.

When reheating, use the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to refresh the sauce. Microwave reheating works in a pinch—cover loosely and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between. Avoid reheating more than once to maintain food safety and texture quality. The chicken may fall off the bone after freezing, which actually makes it perfect for shredding and serving over pasta or in sandwiches for a different meal variation.