This flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Cacciatore is prepared using chicken thighs, cremini mushrooms, onion, crushed tomatoes, and red wine. This hearty Chicken Cacciatore recipe is a perfect dinner that takes about 290 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ¼ oz dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed and minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 8 bone-in chicken thighs (5 to 7 oz each), skin removed, trimmed
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Cacciatore

1. Start with the Skillet: Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it shims. Add the cremini mushrooms, chopped onion, and ¼ teaspoon of salt, then cover and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the mushrooms release their liquid.
2. Cook the Vegetables: Uncover the skillet and cook the mushrooms and onions until the liquid evaporates and they turn lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste, minced porcini mushrooms, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until the mixture becomes fragrant.
3. Add the Wine: Pour in the red wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Transfer this entire mixture to your slow cooker.
4. Prepare the Chicken: Stir the crushed tomatoes into the slow cooker with the mushroom mixture. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then nestle them into the slow cooker, ensuring the sauce evenly covers them.
5. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken thighs are tender and fully cooked through.
6. Finish and Serve: Transfer the chicken thighs to a serving dish. Stir the minced parsley and red wine vinegar into the sauce in the slow cooker, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon 1 cup of the sauce over the chicken thighs and serve, passing the remaining sauce separately.

Recipe Tips

• Add some flavor to the sauce: Sauté a pinch of fennel seeds with the onions and mushrooms to give the sauce a slightly sweet, aromatic depth.
• Use bone-in chicken for best results: Bone-in thighs retain moisture during slow cooking, resulting in tender meat that’s easy to shred or serve whole without drying out.
• Choose the right wine: Opt for a full-bodied dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to enhance the richness of the sauce while balancing the tomato’s acidity.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Honey Bbq Chicken Thighs
• Easy Slow Cooker Mole Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Braised Chicken Thighs and Rice