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Slow Cooker Chicken and Stewed Tomatoes is a complete meal packed with healthy vegetables and an aroma you'll love to come home to.
Chicken cacciatore is the ultimate comfort meal. And when you make it in a crock-pot, it's even cozier to enjoy. The house smells wonderful and there's minimal work involved at the dinner hour.
Similar to Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetables this recipe gets a flavor boost from stewed tomatoes. But, for this recipe, we added a touch of red wine vinegar instead of wine to the tomato sauce.
Keep this dish low carb and serve it over spiralized zucchini or roasted cauliflower rice.
Or, just dish it out! The end. This Italian-inspired slow cooker recipe is truly a one-pot, family-friendly dinner that everyone will enjoy straight from the crock-pot.
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Ingredients and Variations
Cacciatore means hunter in Italian, which is exactly what this recipe is all about. It's easily adjusted based on what you have on hand.
These are the main ingredients we used and some variations to consider:
- Chicken thighs - with the bone in or out. Or, use chicken breasts.
- Stewed tomatoes - contain seasonings and most likely a pinch of sugar that gives the cacciatore sauce a slightly sweet flavor.
- Red wine vinegar
- Oregano
- Vegetables traditionally included
- Garlic
- Onions
- Peppers
- Additional vegetables to add (we added the first two)
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Zucchini
- Potatoes
Browning the Chicken
Brown it. Or not! Chicken cacciatore is going to taste better if you take this step. I shudder at the thought of messing up a pan first thing in the morning. But I usually do it!
It helps seal in moisture and adds to the appearance. And, after all, we eat with our eyes.
If I'm making this up to freeze uncooked, I don't. It's still very, very, good.
Bottom line: Don't let this step stop you from making this easy crock-pot recipe!
How to Thicken Sauce
Near the end of the cooking time, make a slurry of corn starch and cold water. Mix it into the slow cooker and turn the heat to high. In about 15 minutes the sauce will be smooth and velvety.
Depending upon who you talk to corn starch may or may not be a good choice for low-carb diets. We used a small amount that when spread over many servings results in a low-carb meal overall.
If you want to try a different method, then check out How to Make Gluten-Free Roux by Cotter Crunch.
Another option is to remove the lid from the slow cooker during the last hour of the cooking time to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
Freezer Instructions
We offered chicken cacciatore with stewed tomatoes at our Make-Ahead Meal Stores. It's a tried and true freezer meal that can be prepared before you cook it. I recommend making one up for the freezer while you have everything out.
Just dump all of the ingredients into a freezer bag that seals (double bag it) or an airtight container with a lid.
When you are ready to enjoy it, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, and cook as you usually would the next day. You can always add additional vegetables you have on hand at this point too!
Storage
- Refrigerator - Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer - Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat - Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through.
More Slow Cooker Comfort Meals
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken and Stewed Tomatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs excess fat removed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion halved and sliced
- 1 pepper red, green or yellow, sliced into thin strips
- 2 carrots sliced or cut into 1 inch pieces
- 8 ounces white mushrooms sliced
- 29 ounces stewed tomatoes Two 14.5 ounce cans
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
- Brown chicken for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Add chicken, onions, peppers, carrots, and mushrooms to crock-pot.
- Mix tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and red wine vinegar together.
- Pour tomato mixture over chicken, and vegetables and stir slightly to allow tomato mixture to coat vegetables and chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- To thicken the tomato sauce, remove chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
- Mix together corn starch and water and then stir into sauce remaining in the crock-pot.
- Cook on high for 15 minutes.
- Return chicken to crock-pot or pour sauce over chicken on serving platter.
Notes
- For keto-friendly South Beach diet, leave out carrots and select stewed tomatoes with minimal sweetener. See notes above for alternative ways to thicken sauce if desired.
- Browning chicken is optional. It seals in moisture and adds to the appearance of the chicken.
- To make ahead and freeze: Add all of the ingredients to plastic bag that seals (double bag) or a container with a lid. Remove to the refrigerator to defrost and cook normally in the slow cooker.
- Serving ideas:
- Roasted cauliflower rice
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Gnocchi
- Parmesan cheese
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published 1/5/2014. It was updated to improve the reader experience.
Linda Brewer says
I tried this recipe. It was very easy to make and delicious. I can't wait to try more.
Marjory Pilley says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Justine says
Oh, I LOVE all the extra veggies in this!! SO GOOD~!
Suzy says
I am loving all of the flavors in this but really love that it's made in the crockpot!
RK's Gramma says
I absolutely love this recipe and intend to make it for dinner this week. It will freeze beautifully if we don't finish it all. We are only 2.
I love the beautiful dish featured here. Would you tell me what it is and where I could purchase some? It is absolutely grand.
Happy 2014
Marjory says
It does freeze beautifully. The plates were a gift...I am always on the hunt for food photography props! But, they are my favorite plates and you will see them often on the site these days. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Renee says
I used to balk at browning meats for using in the slow cooker too but over time, I've realized what an incredible difference in flavor it makes. Well worth dirtying a dish first thing in the morning.