Pioneer Woman Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic and savory recipe, which is made with bone-in chicken thighs and colorful bell peppers. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, adapted for the slow cooker for an easy, hands-off meal.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker Ingredients

• 8 whole chicken thighs, skin on
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 whole medium onion, halved and sliced
• 2 whole red bell peppers, cored and sliced
• 2 whole green bell peppers, cored and sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, diced
• 12 oz. mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced
• 1/2 tsp. ground thyme
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• Red pepper flakes, crushed, to taste (optional)
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 28-oz. can whole or diced tomatoes (with their juice)
• For Serving:
• 1 lb. pasta or egg noodles, cooked
• Chopped flat leaf parsley
• Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Cacciatore in the Slow Cooker

1. Prep and brown the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Working in batches, place the chicken skin-side down and brown on both sides. Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Pour off about half the fat from the skillet. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the pan and stir for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, thyme, turmeric, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute, stirring.
3. Deglaze and transfer: Pour the white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for a minute, then pour the entire vegetable and wine mixture into the slow cooker over the chicken. Add the can of tomatoes.
4. Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
5. Reduce the sauce and serve: While the chicken cooks, prepare the pasta according to package directions. Once the chicken is done, remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter. Pour the remaining sauce from the slow cooker into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat for a few minutes to reduce and thicken it slightly. Serve the chicken and vegetables over the cooked pasta, spooning the reduced sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best flavor? Do not skip the initial step of browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet. This creates a deep, rich flavor foundation that you won’t get by just putting everything directly into the slow cooker.
• Can I use boneless chicken? Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts work well. If using boneless, reduce the slow cooker time to 3-4 hours on LOW to prevent them from drying out.
• How to thicken the sauce? The recipe includes a final reduction step on the stovetop. If you want an even thicker gravy, you can whisk a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water into the simmering sauce.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This is a great make-ahead meal. You can let it cool and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will be even better the next day.

What To Serve With Chicken Cacciatore

This hearty dish is traditionally served over pasta, but it’s also delicious with:

• Creamy polenta
• Mashed potatoes
• Crusty bread for soaking up the sauce
• A simple green salad with Italian dressing

How To Store Chicken Cacciatore

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s best to store the pasta separately to prevent it from getting mushy.
• Freeze: The chicken and sauce freeze very well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container.

Chicken Cacciatore Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Fat: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 40g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman 4-Ingredient Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Recipe