Packed with protein and vegetables, this slow cooker quinoa chicken cacciatore recipe is sure to be one of your new favorites because it’s so easy! Chicken, quinoa, peppers, onions, and a simple sauce combine for a classic Italian flavor.
When the weather heats up, I don’t like to crank on the oven – it gets hot here in the south where I live!
And even when it’s still chilly out, some days I just don’t feel like spending my evening cooking a big meal.
But whether it’s hot or cold out, we still have to eat!
Whether you would like to beat the heat or just have the desire to come home to dinner ready to go, I think we can all agree that easy slow cooker meals are a busy person’s saving grace! They allow us to feed our families healthy comfort food and skip the take-out.
Let me introduce you to my latest one-pot wonder, which is about the easiest one I have created yet: Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore.
SLOW COOKER QUINOA CHICKEN CACCIATORE
This crock pot chicken cacciatore recipe is genius in my book and here’s why:
- This hearty meal is high in protein and full of vegetables.
- Chicken cacciatore has great Italian flavor.
- It can be thrown together in just a few minutes…
- And it can even be made on the stove in less than 30 minutes if you forget to pop it in the slow cooker!
I love it when a meal is so versatile!
CHICKEN CACCIATORE RECIPE INGREDIENTS
It may look like a long list, but I promise, this slow cooker quinoa chicken comes together so quickly and easily!
- Quinoa. I usually use red or white quinoa or a blend. Make sure to rinse the quinoa first to avoid a soapy taste!
- Chicken Broth. I prefer to use Homemade Chicken Stock. The quinoa will absorb most of the liquid as it cooks.
- Dry White Wine. You can also just use additional chicken stock if you don’t cook with wine.
- Frozen pepper and onion strips. Feel free to use fresh red bell peppers and onions if you prefer – the frozen ones just cut down your prep time.
- Garlic Cloves. Use jarred minced garlic or chop up several cloves yourself.
- Tomato Paste. This chicken cacciatore recipe uses the whole can – no need to freeze extra tomato paste here!
- Oregano. These herbs give you that great Italian flavor.
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper. Classic seasonings.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. For a bit of heat without being overly spicy.
- Chicken Breast. Chop the chicken into 1” cubes before adding it to the slow cooker. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are more budget-friendly. (Save the bone-in chicken pieces for other meals!)
- Parmesan Cheese. Optional for serving (but highly recommended!).
To help this meal stretch (or just get more produce in your diet), you can also add diced carrots or celery or sliced mushrooms. A splash of balsamic vinegar gives you a bit of tanginess.
Some other chicken cacciatore recipes call for diced tomatoes, green chilies, or Enchilada Sauce for a more Mexican theme. Although I haven’t tested it, I’m sure this would be a delicious option!
Psst! Want to kick this up a notch? Try finishing this chicken cacciatore recipe with a pinch of finishing salt! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CACCIATORE
I love delicious dump-and-go recipes like this one! It’s so easy!
Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker (I like this one) and cover.
Step 2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN CACCIATORE RECIPES ON THE STOVETOP
Making chicken cacitore on the stovetop is easy too!
Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a large pan or Dutch oven, adding ½ cup additional water to the recipe.
Step 2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 3. Stir and cover, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Step 4. Simmer for 20 minutes until the quinoa has absorbed most of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
SERVE WITH CHICKEN CROCK POT CACCIATORE
This crockpot chicken quinoa dish is great because it can easily be an all-in-one dinner. But if you want to stretch it further, add one of these yummy sides:
PROTEIN-PACKED CHICKEN CACCIATORE
This cacciatore recipe chicken and quinoa is a great option if you’re trying to include more protein in your diet. Quinoa is a grain, so it includes carbohydrates, but one cup of cooked quinoa also gives you 8 grams of protein. Combined with the chicken in this dish, one serving will give you almost 24 grams of protein.
To easily increase that protein, you can double the chicken in this recipe. You can also add 8 oz. of sliced mushrooms for a protein boost – you’ll add almost 8 grams of protein without much work.
Overall, this crockpot chicken and quinoa dish is fairly low in both fat and carbs, so this is a great option if you’re tracking your macros and have more of one or both of those in a meal earlier in the day. It also gives you the freedom to add a side dish that fits with your nutrition for the day!
CACCIATORE RECIPE CHICKEN FAQS
Can I make slow cooker quinoa chicken dairy-free?
Yes! Just omit the cheese for a dairy-free meal. It’s still a delicious and hearty meal without dairy.
Is this chicken quinoa slow cooker recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Without any gluten ingredients, this recipe is naturally gluten-free!
What is chicken cacciatore traditionally served with?
Typically you’ll find cacciatore served with pasta, but since this chicken cacciatore recipe includes quinoa, you don’t need noodles here. It’s a great one-pot meal!
MORE EASY CROCKPOT CHICKEN DINNERS
Looking for more quick and easy chicken slow cooker meals? Check out these:
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Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore
Packed with protein and vegetables, this slow cooker quinoa chicken cacciatore recipe is sure to be one of your new favorites because it’s so easy! Chicken, quinoa, peppers, onions, and a simple sauce combine for a classic Italian flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hrs low, 3-4 hrs high
- Total Time: 5-6 hrs low, 3-4 hrs high
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Instructions
- For Slow Cooker: Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cover. Cook on low for 5-6 hours and high for 3-4 hours.
- For Stove-Top Method: Combine all ingredients in large pan/skillet, adding ½ cup additional water to recipe. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes until quinoa is absorbed and chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese if desired.
Notes
This cacciatore recipe chicken and quinoa is a great option if you’re trying to include more protein in your diet. Quinoa is a grain, so it includes carbohydrates, but one cup of cooked quinoa also gives you 8 grams of protein. Combined with the chicken in this dish, one serving will give you almost 24 grams of protein.
To easily increase that protein, you can double the chicken in this recipe. You can also add 8 oz. of sliced mushrooms for a protein boost – you’ll add almost 8 grams of protein without much work.
Overall, this crockpot chicken and quinoa dish is fairly low in both fat and carbs, so this is a great option if you’re tracking your macros and have more of one or both of those in a meal earlier in the day. It also gives you the freedom to add a side dish that fits with your nutrition for the day!
