Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Just Like Grandma Made

ByTheresa Huse
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Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore—need I say more? We adapted our family-favorite chicken cacciatore recipe into one of our easy crockpot recipes. Can I say, “Shut the front door!”? Because people are going to be knocking on your door to get into your house to eat this dinner idea. It is that GOOD!

Do you ever crave home-style, easy chicken recipes that bring back fond memories of growing up? One of my favorites was a pasta dish that my mom only made on weekends: my grandma Nina’s Chicken Cacciatore recipe. This post was originally sponsored and has been updated.

I often wondered as a child why we didn’t get this dish more often. My parents were busy working during the week, and the original recipe involved many hours of stirring the pot while the meal cooked on those lazy weekends filled with good dinners. First, you had to make the sauce, fry the chicken, and combine them. Then it was a long cook time to get the chicken tender and the flavors to meld in the sauce. Grandma Nina would even use cuts of chicken with the bone in and the skin on to bring out the flavors.

But, gone are the days of spending entire days in the kitchen! We just cut the time down and let the slow cooker do the stirring on this classic chicken cacciatore dinner recipe. Now, we occasionally check on it and then serve it up when the chicken is cooked.

Find more easy chicken recipes here and slow cooker recipes here.

We love pouring this homemade cacciatore over freshly made pasta. Oh, comfort food how I love thee. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Easy Recipes Chicken Cacciatore An Easy Slow Cooker Recipe

I thought, what if I could recreate my grandma’s recipe in a few quick steps, and make this a Ragu Pasta Sauce Recipe? That’s just what I did.

First, I lightened up the recipe by using lean skinless boneless chicken and saved time by using this Ragu Homestyle Sauce. Then, let all the simmering and cooking be done in the slow cooker. Letting the ingredients cook slowly brings out all the flavors we love!

Today, I’m showing you exactly how to bring back my grandma’s Chicken Cacciatore recipe for the modern-day kitchen!

Easy Recipes Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore This recipe tastes just like grandma's but, only takes 10 minutes to prep and finishes cooking in the slow cooker. The chicken is tender. Serve over pasta noodles.

Benefits of cooking it in the slow cooker

But, gone are the days of spending entire days in the kitchen! You’ll love this recipe because with a few quick steps, you will have this delicious meal cooking in the slow cooker. That frees you up to get everything else done: carpooling kids, laundry, cleaning, bills—you get the idea! Bonus: Cooking in the crock-pot doesn’t heat the kitchen, which means you can enjoy this recipe any time of year. We cut the time down and let the slow cooker do the stirring on this classic chicken cacciatore dinner recipe. Now, let’s get cooking!

You’ll love this recipe because with a few quick steps, you will have this recipe cooking in the slow cooker. Then you’ll be able to get all the things done that are on your list.

Easy Recipes Bowl of Chicken Cacciatore

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciator Ingredients

How to make chicken cacciatore in the slow cooker 

The only other prep cooking you do is sautéing the onions and garlic in olive oil in a skillet. If you have a slow cooker or crockpot with a braiser (like this) and a sear function, you can do that right in your slow cooker or crockpot.

Note: This is a boneless chicken cacciatore recipe. You can use chicken thighs with the skin and bones or even bone-in chicken breasts (if that is preferred). Which means after cooking, they will have to be removed from the sauce and deboned before serving or deboned while eating. If you decide to do that, you will get an even more flavorful cacciatore. 

Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions

Easy Recipes Onions Cooking for Chicken Cacciatore

Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil.

  1. Peel, then chop up the onion and garlic.
  2. Next, sauté them in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil until softened, on a medium/low heat. Then set it to the side.
Easy Recipes | Steps For Making Chicken Cacciatore in the slow cooker

Prep, measure, and add the ingredients to the slow cooker

I pre-spray with a non-stick cooking spray and then added the sauteed onion and garlic, then:

  1. Slice your bell peppers.
  2. Open and dump in: the can of chicken broth, the jar of sauce, and pour 1 cup of white wine.
  3. Add in 1 tsp. Italian Spices, 3 Bay Leaves, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper (salt to taste).
  4. Add all these ingredients to the slow cooker.
  5. Cook in the slow cooker on high for 4-6 hours, depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces.

Cook the noodles or polenta (according to box directions) and serve the chicken caicciatore

  1. About 12 minutes before you’re ready to serve dinner, cook Rigatoni noodles or other pasta noodles according to the directions on the package (al dente).
  2. Ladle the sauce over the noodles or polenta.
  3. Garnish with shredded Parmesan Cheese and thinly sliced scallions or fresh, finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley.

Enjoy this comfort dish that will remind you of Sunday dinners at grandmas house with the family!

A close-up of a bowl of chicken cacciatore with tender chicken and bell peppers over rigatoni noodles.

Do you like using shortcuts when cooking?

This post has been updated from its original content. It was previously sponsored by Ragu and its advertisers.

Easy Recipes | New Homestyle Ragu Pasta Sauce Thick & Hearty Mushroom helps make this easy slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe

This recipe is so easy to recreate in your kitchen. This is a flavorful meal the entire family will love. Just like other Ragu traditions started by Assunta Cantisano, we love our rich heritage. And how these products can make cooking easier, yet still give us all the flavors of home.

Our hero today was New Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Mushroom Sauce, but you can use any of the Ragu sauces. No endless crushing of tomatoes, finding the perfect flavors, they are all packed into one jar, made just like my grandma’s. 

Easy Recipes Slow Cooker | Chicken Cacciatore In a Bowl next to a fork and spoon

Mangia!

Easy Recipes | Ragu Recipes | New Homestyle Ragu Pasta Sauce

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Yield: 6-8

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

close up of a bowl of chicken cacciatore ready to eat with a fork, spoon, and napkin that is red and white

This easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe requires only 10 minutes of prep, freeing you up for your busy day. Made in the crock-pot, the chicken is tender and the rich sauce tastes just like Grandma Nina's traditional recipe.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Additional Time 12 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 22 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 3 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Jar of the New Ragu Homestyle Thick And Hearty Mushroom Sauce
  • 1 Package Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (about 1-2 pounds)
  • 1 Small Can 14.5 oz. 100% Natural Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup White Wine (optional)
  • 1 package Rigatoni Noodles or your favorite kind
  • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon of Italian Spices
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

How to make chicken cacciatore in the slow cooker 

The only other prep cooking you do is sautéing the onions and garlic in olive oil in a skillet. If you have a slow cooker or crockpot with a braiser and a sear function, you can do that right in your slow cooker or crockpot.

Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil.

  1. Peel, then chop up the onion and garlic.
  2. Next, sauté them in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil until softened, on a medium/low heat. Then set it to the side.

Prep, measure, and add the ingredients to the slow cooker

I pre-spray with a non-stick cooking spray and then add the sauteed onion and garlic, then:

  1. Slice your bell peppers.
  2. Open and dump in: the can of chicken broth, the jar of sauce, and pour 1 cup of white wine.
  3. Add in 1 tsp. Italian Spices, 3 Bay Leaves, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper (salt to taste).
  4. Add all these ingredients to the slow cooker.
  5. Cook in the slow cooker on high for 4-6 hours, depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces.

Cook the noodles or polenta (according to box directions) and serve the chicken caicciatore

  1. About 12 minutes before you're ready to serve dinner: Cook Rigatoni noodles or other pasta noodles. Do this according to the package instructions for (al dente).
  2. Ladle the sauce over the noodles or polenta into individual bowls or a serving dish.
  3. Garnish with shredded Parmesan Cheese and thinly sliced scallions or fresh, finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley.

Enjoy this comfort dish that will remind you of Sunday dinners at Grandma's house.

Notes

This is a boneless chicken cacciatore recipe. You can use chicken thighs with the skin and bones or even bone-in chicken breasts (if that is preferred). Which means after cooking, they will have to be removed from the sauce and deboned before serving or deboned while eating. If you decide to do that, you will get an even more flavorful cacciatore. 

If you like a thicker sauce, use 2 jars of the New Ragu Homestyle Thick And Hearty Mushroom Sauce

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 155Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 21mgSodium 420mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 9g

Not all nutritional information is always 100% accurate.

© Theresa Huse
Cuisine: American-Italian / Category: Slow Cooker & Crockpot Recipes

 
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49 Comments

    1. Hi Amber, Thanks so much for stopping by and your comment. Hope you grabbed your chance to win. See you again soon.

  2. Love Ragu! You just brought back a memory for me. My mom used to make chicken cacciatore with rice and I hated it! lol This actually looks so much better! Well, pasta makes every dish taste better to me.

    1. Hi Stacie, I hope you try this recipe and it changes your mind! It’s seriously yummy. Even Sammie who typically doesn’t care for red sauces loved it! Thanks for stopping by & hope you took a chance at the giveaway.

  3. This looks amazing! I really want to try this with the mushroom sauce. Great recipe!

    1. Hi Sarah, Thanks for the compliment. I know, I need to pick up another jar and just have it with noodles. Yummy!

  4. I love any dish that I can make in the crockpot, so I do not have as much prep work when I get home. This looks great!

    1. Hi Mary, I agree. It’s helpful for anyone busy. And since I work from home it’s nice to prep a meal quickly and not have to worry about feeding the family later.

  5. Grandma’s recipe looks great and looks like you used one of her dishes.

    1. Hi Candy, The dish was one that looked like hers I picked it up at a thrift shop. Wish it had been a whole set. Thanks for dropping by.

  6. YUM! I’m a sucker for traditional homestyle Italian dishes, though like you, I don’t have the time to let it cook all day long. So I love that you made traditional Chicken Cacciatore in the slow cooker and with this RAGU Homestyle Sauce! We’ll definitely be making this sometime soon!

    1. Hi Erin, Thanks! Me too my grandma had so many but, she never wrote them down. I wish I had more of her traditional recipes but, am thankful for the ones that my mom wrote down as she watched her cook. Enjoy the recipe.

  7. This looks so yummy! I’m adding it to our rotation!

    1. Hi Karin, I’d love to have you stop back by and let me know how you enjoyed the recipe.

    1. Hi Nora, Thank you & hope you get to try the recipe sometime.

  9. I totally agree with using skinless chicken breast, but I confess that sometimes I just gotta use thighs!
    Very nice recipe <3

    1. Hi Rae, Yes thighs do have a lot of flavor and you can easily add them in or even swap out the chicken breast for thighs. My mom would cook both as a few of us preferred white chicken meat over dark.

  10. You immediately caught my attention with “just like Grandma’s only easier!” I love discovering recipes for traditional favorites that have shortcuts so all day is not spent in the kitchen hovering over an open flame. LOL Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe that’s quick and easy to prepare.

    1. Hi Denay, Your welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love traditional recipes but, enjoy making them not as labor intensive. We are all too busy for that, except on occasion.

  11. My hubby would LOVE this. Ragu is his fav – literally if I make spaghetti with any other sauce he won’t eat it. Thanks for the delicious and simple recipe!!

    1. Hi Chrissa, It’s kind of the same in our house. I’m always saying there are just some brands that are your go to and Ragu is one of ours. Your welcome & I hope you get to try this one.

    1. Hi Maggie, Thanks for pinning I hope you get to make the recipe sometime.

    1. Hi Brittany, Right! They are great for summer cooking & keeping the heat out of the kitchen.

  14. This is a recipes the whole family will love!

    1. Hi Pam, Thanks for stopping by hope you all get to try it soon.

  16. My mouth is literally watering right now. So delicious looking!

  17. oh my gosh this looks delicious! I absolutely love chicken cacciatore and the fact that it is in the crockpot is even better! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Kristen, Thank you! & Hope you try it sometime, happy to share recipe.

  18. Thanks for sharing! I’m always looking for some easy weeknight dinner recipes 🙂

    1. Hi Annie, Your welcome! Me too. I’m all about easy, yummy dinners.

    1. Hi Cathy, Thanks for stopping by, the pin & compliment. Hope you enjoy the recipe.

  21. You had me at slow cooker! I love getting new meals for my crock pot!

    1. Hi Heather, Hope you get a chance to make it and enjoy the recipe. I agree, I need more for summer!

  22. This looks delicious! And I’m loving the vintage Pyrex. My mom has some just like this and I love them.

    1. Hi Cajun, Thanks for the compliment. Me too, love Pyrex.

  23. This looks so good, that dish with the blue flower totally reminds me of my grandma too!! I loved checking out the Ragu website and finding all those awesome recipes!

    1. Hi Lauren, Funny that’s what everyone is saying about the dish. I seriously don’t even know that my grandma had that specific type. But, I love Pryex. Yes, they have some great recipes that are really easy to make! I’m sure I’ll try more myself.

  24. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I’ve never tried to make chicken cacciatore in the slow cooker. This looks delish!

    1. Hi Sherry, Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get a chance to try the recipe sometime.

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