Shredded Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

 This slow cooker chicken cacciatore is so easy to make, after browning the chicken in a skillet, the rest of the ingredients get dumped into a slow cooker. It doesn’t get much easier than that. 

If you do decide that this just isn’t easy enough, feel free to just drop the chicken breast into the slow cooker, no browning required. This step isn’t necessary, it just gives the chicken breast a better flavor. If you are really short on time or just don’t feel like doing much prep work, skip this step for an even easier Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe. 

This post sharing how to make chicken cacciatore in a slow cooker contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. 

What is Chicken Cacciatore?

 Chicken Cacciatore is a delicious Italian dish that traditionally includes chicken cooked with tomatoes and herbs. This recipe changes depending on who makes it, where they are from or what ingredients they have on hand.

My grandmother was very resourceful when it came to cooking. She had to be this way, she always seemed to be feeding a large crowd on a small budget. Most of the meals that she made would feed us for a couple of days. It seemed like she threw everything into the pot when cooking, whatever we had on hand went into the meal for the evening. This strategy was fine with me because it meant that leftovers were always plentiful. 

Now that I prepare the Sunday dinners for my family, I try to use the same methods that worked so well for my grandmother. I like to throw a bit of everything into the pot and create a hearty meal that lasts for days. 

What Ingredients Are Needed to Make Chicken Cacciatore? 

Chicken– I use boneless skinless chicken breast to make this recipe but another popular way to make chicken cacciatore is to use chicken thighs. I like the chicken breasts because they shred very easily, but you don’t have to serve this recipe shredded if you prefer a different cut. 

Diced Garlic– Of course fresh is best but you can pick up a jar of pre-diced garlic to save you some time. 

Onion– One diced onion is required to make this recipe, if you don’t feel like dicing it yourself, pick up one of these, it really is a time saver. 

Bell Peppers– You can use whichever color bell peppers you prefer, I usually use red, orange, and yellow whenever possible. These are my husband’s favorite, but you can choose whichever color you prefer. 

Crushed Tomatoes– No need to crush those bad boys yourself, pick up a couple of cans, nobody will know the difference. 

Seasonings–  Italian Seasoning, Rosemary, Thyme, Salt, Pepper, and Bay Leaves. Simple enough, right? 

How Do I Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Slow Cooker? 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Coat the skillet with olive oil to prevent sticking. Add the chicken breasts and brown chicken on both sides. Pressing down to fully coat each side of the chicken breast.

After the first side is golden brown, season with salt and pepper. Flip the chicken breast and do the same to the other side. The less flipping the better, no need to fully cook the chicken, this is just to brown the chicken breast, it brings out a bold flavor.

The chicken will finish cooking in the crockpot. 

Once both sides of the chicken breast are brown, place them in the crockpot. 

Add garlic to the crockpot.

Add bell peppers and onions.

Pour diced tomatoes into the crockpot.

Add seasoning and place bay leaves on top. Set crockpot to high for 6 hours.

Remove the bay leaf and stir before serving to finish shredding the chicken.

What Should I Serve with the Chicken Cacciatore?

Pasta- This is the most common way to serve chicken cacciatore, especially the shredded kind. Mixing up the pasta with the shredded chicken and vegetables makes for a tasty dish. 

Zucchini Noodles- If you are trying to eat healthier and cutting out the carbs, use zucchini noodles. Cook right before serving, don’t add these to the crockpot. They are much better when cooked right before serving. I recently found out that you can buy pre spiralized zucchini noodles and this has been life-changing. What a time saver! 

Salad- In my home, salad goes well with everything. I especially enjoy mixing the flavors of the chicken cacciatore with the Italian dressing on my plate. What a great combo. 

What Tools Will I Need to Make this Shredded Chicken Cacciatore Recipe?

A slow cooker is obviously the most important tool for this recipe. I like using the self-stirring kind when possible because it helps to shred the chicken.

You will also need a spatula for flipping the chicken and a skillet. 

After the chicken is done cooking, you will need a fork to finish shredding it if it hasn’t already completely shredded itself. 

You can see the ones that I recommend by clicking the titles below.

• Slow Cooker
• Spatula
• Skillet
• Fork

What if I Don’t Want My Chicken Shredded? 

If you don’t want your chicken to be shredded, no problem. Don’t stir the slow cooker, the chicken is so tender throughout the cooking process that just the smallest touch can cause the chicken to break apart.

Another way to prevent the chicken from shredding is to use a different cut, chicken thighs are a great choice for this recipe. Just be sure to remove the skin before cooking.

I hope you enjoyed learning how I make Shredded Chicken Cacciatore in the Slow Cooker. Don’t forget to follow along on social media as well as sign up for the free newsletter so that you never miss a post.  

Do You Want More Easy Slow Cooker Meals? 

Try this Crockpot Chicken Parmesean Subs Recipe, this Crockpot Chilli Mac Recipe or these 18 Easy Crockpot Meals. 

Eating low carb or gluten-free?

Try this Keto Chicken & Rice Soup Dump Meal or this Keto Crockpot Chicken with a Kick. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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Ingredients

• 3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1/4 cup of Diced Garlic 
• 1 onion
• 2 Bell Peppers
• 2 28 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes 
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Italian Seasoning 
• 1/2 teaspoon of Rosemary
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Thyme
• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil for frying
• Salt and Pepper
• 2 Bay Leaves

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Coat the skillet with olive oil to prevent sticking. Add the chicken breasts and brown chicken on both sides. Pressing down to fully coat each side of the chicken breast. After the first side is golden brown, season with salt and pepper. Flip the chicken breast and do the same to the other side. The less flipping the better, no need to fully cook the chicken, this is just to brown the chicken breast, it brings out a bold flavor. The chicken will finish cooking in the crockpot. 

Once both sides of the chicken breast are brown, place them in the crockpot. 

Add garlic to the crockpot.

Add bell peppers and onions.

Pour diced tomatoes into the crockpot.

Add seasoning and place bay leaves on top. Set crockpot to high for 6 hours.

Remove the bay leaf and stir before serving to finish shredding the chicken.