- Chicken breasts or thighs (SEO: slow cooker chicken)
- Bell peppers (SEO: bell pepper slices)
- Onions (SEO: sliced onions)
- Garlic cloves (SEO: crushed garlic)
- Tomatoes (SEO: canned tomatoes, diced tomatoes)
- Olive oil (SEO: olive oil for cooking)
- Red wine (SEO: red wine for cooking, optional)
- Tomato paste (SEO: tomato paste for slow cooker)
- Chicken stock or broth (SEO: chicken stock for slow cooker)
- Thyme (SEO: dried thyme for slow cooker)
- Bay leaves (SEO: bay leaves for slow cooker)
- Salt and pepper (SEO: salt and pepper to taste)
- Red chili flakes (SEO: red pepper flakes for spice)
- Oregano (SEO: fresh or dried oregano)
Use these ingredients to create a flavorful chicken cacciatore in your slow cooker. Don't forget to add the keywords to optimize your recipe for search engines, making it easier for home cooks to find and prepare this dish.
Steps
### How to Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Slow Cooker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish featuring chicken cooked with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and peppers in a flavorful sauce. Making this dish in a slow cooker can make the process both easy and delicious. Follow these detailed steps to prepare an authentic Chicken Cacciatore using a slow cooker.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
#### Instructions:
**Step 1: Preparing the Chicken**
1. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season both sides of the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
**Step 2: Browning the Chicken**
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken pieces, and cook until browned on all sides (about 4-5 minutes per side).
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
**Step 3: Preparing Vegetables**
1. In the same skillet used for browning the chicken, add sliced onions, minced garlic, mushrooms, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
2. Cook until vegetables are soft and onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
**Step 4: Combining Ingredients in Slow Cooker**
1. Transfer the browned chicken to a slow cooker.
2. Add cooked vegetables from the skillet to the slow cooker.
3. Pour crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce over the ingredients.
**Step 5: Cooking**
1. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
2. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked by checking with a meat thermometer; it should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
**Step 6: Finalizing the Dish**
1. Remove bay leaf before serving.
2. Stir in chopped fresh basil leaves if desired for extra flavor.
**Step 7: Serving and Enjoying**
1. Serve Chicken Cacciatore hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Pair it with a side of pasta or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
### SEO Tips:
- Include relevant keywords such as "Chicken Cacciatore," "slow cooker recipe," and "Italian cuisine."
- Use descriptive phrases like "bite-sized pieces" and "fully cooked" for better readability.
- Provide step numbers (e.g., Step 1, Step 2) to make instructions easier to follow.
By following these detailed steps, you can enjoy a delicious Chicken Cacciatore in your slow cooker without much effort. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and will satisfy both your taste buds and the family's hunger!