Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Rosemary Polenta

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Rosemary Polenta

Cacciatore Ingredients:

• 6 boneless chicken thighs (skin on or off) or 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 carrots, roughly peeled and sliced thick
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 6-8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 yellow pepper, seeds removed and slived
• 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 14 counce can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup chopped italian flat leaf parsley
• 6 basil leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 6 cremini mushrooms, sliced
• kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

Polenta Ingredients:

• 4 cups (1 carton) low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup Golden Pheasant polenta (not available at TJ, do not use pre-cooked polenta in tube)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat oil in nonstick pan. Sear both sides of chicken about 3 minutes on both sides until golden brown.

2. While searing. Layer carrots, peppers and onions on the bottom of your slow cooker. Then add in your chicken on top. Layer with garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, parsley, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes. Do not add mushrooms at this time.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours. At your final 30 minutes, add in your mushrooms and let cook.

4. While your mushrooms are finishing up cooking. Make your polenta. Bring 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth (1 carton) to a boil. Then slowly add in one cup of polenta. Don't stop whisking as you are adding this in. Then add in 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese, whisk well until there are no lumps - then remove from heat. Finally, add in your rosemary, fresh ground pepper and drizzle of olive oil. Add more of any seasoning you wish.

5. We loved serving this in a large shallow bowl, layering your polenta with the delcious cacciatore chicken and veggies. Top with fresh parmesan and any of your extra fresh herbs.