Description
Hearty chicken cacciatore by the Pioneer Woman emerges as a rustic Italian-inspired dish simmering with rich tomato and herb flavors. Slow cooker magic brings tender chicken and robust sauce together for a comforting meal you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 900 g (2 lbs) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 225 g (8 oz) sliced baby bella (cremini) mushrooms
- 1 can (800 g/28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsps extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1.5 tbsps balsamic vinegar, divided
- pasta, rice, or noodles for serving
- chopped parsley
- grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Searing Preparation: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Transfer browned chicken to the slow cooker.
- Aromatics Development: In the same skillet, sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and balsamic vinegar, cooking briefly to release aromatic qualities. Transfer the fragrant mixture to the slow cooker.
- Ingredient Integration: Combine crushed tomatoes, green bell pepper, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning in the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly and create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Slow Cooking Process: For chicken breasts, cook on HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours. For chicken thighs, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken and allow sauce to reduce by simmering on HIGH with the lid off for 45-60 minutes. Stir in remaining balsamic vinegar and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Final Presentation: Plate the chicken over pasta, rice, or noodles. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Sear for Flavor Lock: Browning chicken before slow cooking creates a deep, rich caramelized exterior that intensifies the overall taste and texture of the dish.
- Timing is Critical: Chicken breasts and thighs require different cooking durations; always adjust slow cooker settings to prevent dry or undercooked meat.
- Sauce Reduction Technique: Removing the lid and simmering helps concentrate flavors and thicken the sauce, transforming a good dish into an exceptional culinary experience.
- Finishing Touches Matter: Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end and garnishing with fresh herbs and cheese elevates the final presentation and adds complexity to the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg