GARDEN CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Here’s the perfect Italian meal to serve company. It frees you up to visit with your guests and always receives compliments. I like to serve it with hot cooked pasta, green salad and a dry red wine. Mangia!

—MARTHA SCHIRMACHER STERLING HEIGHTS, MI



PREP: 15 MIN. COOK:1/2 HOURS MAKES: 12 SERVINGS


12 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)

2 medium green peppers, chopped

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, undrained

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 medium onion, sliced

1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup dry red wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

1. Place chicken in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine green peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, broth, wine, garlic, salt and pepper; pour over chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or until chicken is tender.

3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened.

Cook to Cook

This was pretty good. I like dark meat and my husband likes white meat, so we had a combination of the two. I loved both. I’d suggest adding a little crushed red pepper, though. We sprinkled some on our chicken when we went back for seconds. :)

—RWIPPEL