Chicken Drumsticks Cacciatore

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 06/23/21
Chicken drumsticks cacciatore

Lauri Patterson / E+ / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 7 hrs
Total: 7 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 8 drumsticks
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
531 Calories
26g Fat
21g Carbs
53g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 531
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 260mg 87%
Sodium 1013mg 44%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 53g
Vitamin C 32mg 161%
Calcium 60mg 5%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 1093mg 23%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This simple recipe for chicken drumsticks cacciatore cooks in your slow cooker and is packed full of flavor. You can use chicken thighs (use 12 of them) or chicken breasts (use 6) instead of the drumsticks if you'd like. The chicken breasts will cook in a shorter period of time, about 5 hours.

Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian and is a style of cooking that pairs meat with vegetables and a rich tomato sauce. This recipe is usually served over hot cooked pasta. 

Serve this recipe over hot cooked spaghetti or linguine, and make sure you have hot toasted garlic bread to serve on the side. A green salad tossed with tomatoes and avocado with a creamy Italian salad dressing would be a great accompaniment. All you need is a glass of red wine and a checked tablecloth for a wonderful meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 8 chicken drumsticks

  • 3 tablespoons flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 (15-ounce) can Italian-style tomato sauce

  • 1 (4-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/3 cup water

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Steps to Make It

  1. Spray a 4-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Sprinkle the drumsticks with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown drumsticks in the hot oil for 4 to 6 minutes until they begin to turn color, turning once.

  3. Place the drumsticks in the prepared slow cooker.

  4. Add the tomato sauce, sliced mushrooms, oregano, basil, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the slow cooker and mix to blend.

  5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the chicken registers 165 F on an instant-read meat thermometer. If you have a newer hotter cooking slow cooker, check the recipe at 5 and 1/2 hours.

  6. In a small bowl, combine the water and cornstarch and blend well. Stir into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook on high 15 to 20 minutes longer until the sauce thickens.