Cooking and Meal Prep Recipes Crock-Pot Chicken Cacciatore By Team Verywell Fit Team Verywell Fit Our team is passionate about being a resource for credible and up-to-date information on all nutrition and exercise topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 10, 2022 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN LinkedIn Twitter Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate. Learn about our Review Board Print Lauri Patterson / E+ / Getty Images (291 ratings) Total Time: 215 min Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 195 min Servings: 6 Nutrition Highlights (per serving) 222 calories 8g fat 11g carbs 24g protein Show Nutrition Label Hide Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings: 6 Amount per serving Calories 222 % Daily Value* Total Fat 8g 10% Saturated Fat 2g 10% Cholesterol 85mg 28% Sodium 459mg 20% Total Carbohydrate 11g 4% Dietary Fiber 3g 11% Total Sugars 6g Includes 0g Added Sugars 0% Protein 24g Vitamin D 0mcg 0% Calcium 60mg 5% Iron 2mg 11% Potassium 685mg 15% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. This hearty, tomatoey stewed dish gets a healthier, slow-cooker makeover in this alternative to traditional chicken cacciatore. Cacciatore, which means "hunter" in Italian, was originally made with a hunter's catch such as rabbit, pheasant, or boar. Over time, and especially in the U.S., cacciatore has come to include chicken instead of game meat. Chicken thighs are chock full of nutrients like thiamin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, iron, zinc, and copper and contribute to a healthy diet as a complete protein source. Though it requires a bit more effort, rather than cooking all the ingredients at once, this dish benefits from a two-part cooking method. First, you'll sauté the vegetables, reduce the liquid, and add tomato paste before combining with the chicken in the crock-pot. Otherwise, the dish can get overly watery. Adding a Parmesan cheese rind is a trick that adds a savory depth of flavor to the sauce. While optional, it's worth a try if you happen to have some hard Parmesan in the fridge. Ingredients 3 lbs. skinless, bone-in chicken thighs and legs 1 tsp. olive oil 1 cup onion, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 8 oz. brown cremini, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 (14-oz.) can tomatoes, chopped 2/3 cup dry wine (white or red) 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning mixture 1 tsp. each salt and pepper, or to taste 1/3 cup tomato paste Optional: Pinch of sugar or natural sweetener Optional: 1 inch of Parmesan cheese rind Preparation Put chicken in a slow cooker, set to high, and cover. Alternatively, you can brown the chicken in a skillet with a little oil and then transfer to the crock-pot. You can use the same skillet for cooking the vegetables. Heat olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Cook the onion and green pepper for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes; add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, wine, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until the liquid is almost completely boiled away. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. If it tastes harsh or acidic, add just a touch of sweetener (a pinch of sugar or natural sugar substitute can do the trick). Add the tomato paste and Parmesan cheese rind, if using, and stir to combine. Place chicken in the slow cooker and spoon tomato mixture on the top of the chicken. Cook for 3 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. About 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, check and adjust seasonings one more time. Variations and Substitutions If you prefer boneless chicken, use 8 or 9 boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Portobello mushrooms can replace cremini mushrooms if desired. If you don't have Italian seasoning on hand, you can use a blend of equal parts oregano, basil, and thyme (about 1 teaspoon each). Feel free to add or replace vegetables in this recipe. Try artichoke hearts, black olives, or even throw in a few capers for an added zip. Just be sure to taste before adding any additional salt, as capers are salty. Cooking and Serving Tips Garnish with some fresh basil or parsley for a touch of color and fresh flavor.Serve with crusty bread and a side garden salad for a complete meal. Rate this Recipe You've already rated this recipe. Thanks for your rating! 1 Source Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Marangoni F, Corsello G, Cricelli C, et al. Role of poultry meat in a balanced diet aimed at maintaining health and wellbeing: An Italian consensus document. Food Nutr Res. 2015;59:27606. doi:10.3402/fnr.v59.27606 By Team Verywell Fit At Verywell Fit, we are dedicated to empowering you with the best answers to your most pressing questions, from healthy eating to exercise and everything in between. 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