Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Easy Italian Comfort Food

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg) OR 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup / 150g)
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced (about 1 cup / 150g)
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced (about 1 cup / 150g)
• 8 oz (225g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz / 796g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz / 170g) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
• ½ cup chicken broth OR dry red wine (like Chianti or Merlot)
• 2 tablespoons capers OR sliced black olives (optional)
• Fresh parsley OR basil, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooked pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni), rice, or creamy polenta, for serving