Easy Chicken Cacciatore (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Hearty and flavorful, this easy chicken cacciatore is made in the slow cooker for convenience (with instructions for the stovetop too). Serve over pasta, rice, polenta or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal. Gluten-free and dairy-free.

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Easy Chicken Dinners for Busy Weeknights

My family absolute loves chicken (which explains the huge range of chicken recipes I have on this blog).

On most weeknights, chicken is almost always on the dinner menu, so easy recipes that don’t involve a lot of hands-on cooking are definitely welcome.

Today’s recipe for slow cooker chicken cacciatore is precisely that.

“Cacciatore” literally means ‘hunter’ in Italian – so chicken cacciatore or pollo a la ciacciatora is basically “hunter-style chicken”, a dish in which the ingredients are easily available to hunters.

Chicken is cooked in a rich and hearty tomato-based sauce flavored with onions, garlic and herbs, and often includes bell peppers and mushrooms as well.

To make it super easy and low-maintenance, we’re making it in the slow cooker – just 10 minutes prep and then let the slow cooker do all the cooking!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients needed for this chicken cacciatore are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Preparing chicken cacciatore is super easy with the help of the slow cooker (just dump all the ingredients in and cook!). I’ve also included instructions for cooking this hearty chicken recipe in the skillet on the stovetop.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this easy chicken recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free chicken cacciatore recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Chicken: I recommend using skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks which will result in juicier and more flavorful meat.
• Condiments: I’ve using ground paprika and dried oregano to add flavor. But you can also add other types of seasonings such as garlic powder or onion powder if you want more flavor.
• Vegetables: The typical vegetables used to create the hearty and rustic flavor profile of chicken cacciatore are onions, garlic, red bell peppers, and mushrooms.
• Tomato Paste: Not the same as tomato sauce, tomato paste is a highly concentrated and thick paste that is adds a lot of flavor (a little goes a long way).
• Diced Tomatoes: You can either used canned diced tomatoes for convenience or dice fresh roma tomatoes instead.
• Chicken Broth: You can use either chicken broth or chicken stock (here’s how to make your own chicken stock). If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free chicken broth. Alternatively, you may use vegetable broth instead.

How to Make Chicken Cacciatore:

(i) Slow Cooker Method:

Season and Sear: Season the chicken pieces with salt and paprika. In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the seasoned chicken for 4–5 minutes per side over high heat for extra flavor. Set the seared chicken aside.

Combine Sauce Ingredients: Place all ingredients except the chicken into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.

(ii) Stovetop Method:

1. Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and paprika.
2. Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the seasoned chicken for 4–5 minutes per side over high heat for extra flavor. Set the seared chicken aside.
3. Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet as before, sauté the onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic first in olive oil until softened, then add the dried oregano, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
4. Cook on Low: Add the seared chicken to the skillet with the sauce and then simmer covered on low heat for 45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through in the middle and the juices run clear.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken hot with the sauce over gluten-free pasta rice, or any preferred side.

What to Serve with Chicken Cacciatore:

• Mashed Potatoes (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Garlic Bread (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Rice or Gluten-Free Pasta

Other Gluten-Free Chicken Dinners You’ll Love:

• Easy Chicken and Broccoli (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Asian Sticky Chicken Wings (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Chicken Piccata (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Honey Garlic Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Dinners to Make:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Easy Chicken Cacciatore (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Hearty and flavorful, this easy chicken cacciatore is made in the slow cooker for convenience (with instructions for the stovetop too). Serve over pasta, rice, polenta or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal. Gluten-free and dairy-free.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken (thighs or drumsticks or both)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms (fresh or frozen)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and paprika.
2. Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the seasoned chicken for 4–5 minutes per side over high heat for extra flavor. Set the seared chicken aside.
3. Combine Sauce Ingredients: Place all ingredients except the chicken into an 8-quart slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
4. Add Chicken and Cook: Add the chicken into the slow cooker and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours or 6 hours on low in the slow cooker.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken hot with the sauce over gluten-free pasta rice, or any preferred side.

Stovetop Method:

1. Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and paprika.
2. Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the seasoned chicken for 4–5 minutes per side over high heat for extra flavor. Set the seared chicken aside.
3. Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet as before, sauté the onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic first in olive oil until softened, then add the dried oregano, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
4. Cook on Low: Add the seared chicken to the skillet with the sauce and then simmer covered on low heat for 45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through in the middle and the juices run clear.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken hot with the sauce over gluten-free pasta rice, or any preferred side.

Notes

Chicken: I recommend using skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks which will result in juicier and more flavorful meat.

Condiments: I’ve using ground paprika and dried oregano to add flavor. But you can also add other types of seasonings such as garlic powder or onion powder if you want more flavor.

Vegetables: The typical vegetables used to create the hearty and rustic flavor profile of chicken cacciatore are onions, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Tomato Paste: Not the same as tomato sauce, tomato paste is a highly concentrated and thick paste that is adds a lot of flavor (a little goes a long way).

Diced Tomatoes: You can either used canned diced tomatoes for convenience or dice fresh roma tomatoes instead.

Chicken Broth: You can use either chicken broth or chicken stock (here’s how to make your own chicken stock). If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free chicken broth. Alternatively, you may use vegetable broth instead.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Italian