Try this one-pot wonder recipe, Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore! Just toss a few ingredients in the slow cooker, or have it ready on the stove-top in 30 minutes! Pairs perfectly with a delicious Kale Caesar Salad!
When the weather heats up, I don’t like to crank on the oven – it gets hot here in the south where I live!
Sometimes what I really want to do is to spend the day at the pool with my kiddos and come home to dinner made.
And while this is NOT always my reality to be splashing about pool-side, it is nice to have the option at times! (And If you happen to have a play-date planned ahead of time, you can schedule this recipe into your meal planning!)
Regardless if you would like to beat the heat or just have the desire to come home to dinner done, I think we can all agree that one pot wonders that can be made via the slow cooker is a busy person’s saving grace! It allows us to feed our families real food and skip the take-out.
So let me introduce you to my latest one pot wonder, that happens to be about the easiest one I have created yet: Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore.
Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore
This is recipe is genius in my book and here’s why:
- The meal is high protein, full of vegetables and full of flavor.
- It can be thrown together in minutes…
- And can even be made on the stove in less than 30 minutes if you forget to place it in the slow cooker!
I love it when a meal is so versatile!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore
It may look like a long list, but I promise, it comes together so quickly and easily!
- Quinoa
- Chicken broth (I prefer to use homemade chicken stock)
- White wine
- Frozen pepper and onion strips
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Chicken breast
- Parmesan Cheese for serving (optional)
Some other recipes call for diced tomatoes, green chilies and enchilada sauce for a more Mexican theme. Although I haven’t tested it, I’m sure this would be a delicious option!
Can I use chicken thighs in this slow cooker quinoa chicken cacciatore recipe?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts. Plus, chicken thighs are more budget friendly as well!
What can I use instead of white wine?
Just sub out additional parts of chicken stock for the white wine!
Can I use fresh vegetables rather than frozen in this crockpot quinoa chicken recipe?
Yes! Feel free to use fresh bell peppers and onions–the frozen ones just cut your prep time down!
How to Make Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore
I love delicious dump-and-go recipes like this one! It’s so easy! Just…
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker (I like this one) and cover.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours or cook on high for 3-4 hours.
And that’s it!!!
Want to Make a Stove-top Quinoa Chicken Cacciatore?
It’s easy too! Just…
- Combine all ingredients in a large pan/skillet, adding 1/ 2 cup additional water to the 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.
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 quinoa chicken recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Without any gluten ingredients, this recipe is naturally gluten free!
Looking for additional quick, one pot meals? Check out these:
- Easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Thai Pineapple Vegetarian Chili
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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
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed (170g)
- ¾ cups chicken stock (180g)
- ¼ cup dry white wine–or additional chicken stock (59g)
- 1 (16 oz) bag frozen pepper and onion strips (454g)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (9g)
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste (170g)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano (3g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1″ cubes (454g)
- Parmesan Cheese for serving
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!
In the crockpot as we speak!
This sounds SOOO good! I’ve tried Mr. Marion in Savannah on quinoa and he gave me the “meh” face, so I’ve got some languishing in the cabinet. And I’ve got some chicken breasts in the freezer… I’m printing this recipe out to try in the next day or two. Thanks!
This is in the crock pot right now! Can’t wait to try it!
I hope you enjoy Anna!