Moist and meaty chicken thighs, along with red potatoes are cooked low and slow in a white wine caper sauce for this Italian classic of Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio.
If you're looking for a robust chicken dinner that's packed full of delicious flavor and is also easy to prepare, then you need to add this chicken Vesuvio made in a slow cooker recipe to your meal calendar ASAP!
For other delicious slow cooker meals you'll love check out Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos, and Chili Mac for the Slow Cooker.
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Table of Contents Found Here
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- olive oil
- chicken thighs
- shallots
- white wine (I used a dry white)
- red potatoes
- chicken broth
- capers
- dry thyme (ground or leaves)
- butter
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper (CAUTION: Go easy on the salt as the capers contain a good deal of briny salty flavor)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
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How this recipe came to be:
Sometimes when I have an idea for a recipe and I need to make it without delay! That was the case for this Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio.
So much so that I asked my husband to please go to the market and pick up some chicken thighs, because I didn't have the patience to wait for the ones I had in the freezer to thaw. Thanks, honey!
Because I forgot to specify for him to buy boneless, skinless chicken thighs (the kind I normally use), my hubby picked up bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
Since I had no room to complain (he was nice enough to go to the store for me), and since I really wanted to give my idea for Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio a try right away, the bone-in, skin-on chicken is what I used, and how I wrote the recipe.
If however, you prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs, go right ahead and use them. You won't need to alter the recipe one bit. Please continue with the same instructions written in the recipe.
Why this recipe works:
This Italian favorite of Chicken Vesuvio is a dish that works very well for the slow cooker.
If you can spare 15 minutes in the morning to prepare the chicken and then nestle everything in the cooker, by the time you get home in the evening, you'll swear you're eating dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant. But it's one where you can visit while wearing your pj's if you're so inclined. LOL
The skin on, or the skin off? That is the question...
Traditionally, chicken Vesuvio is made with bone-in, skin-on chicken, so my husband was correct in his purchase. Since I'm not a big chicken skin eater (unless it's fried and crispy), I remove it before eating.
In this recipe, the skin will help to add extra flavor to the sauce and potatoes, and the bones will add extra flavor to the meat itself.
Whether you're using skin-on or skinless chicken, the step you don't want to neglect is the browning of the chicken before adding it to the cooker.
That's the step that will add great depth and amazing flavor, and the one that will make your Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio a standout!
How to make slow cooker chicken Vesuvio:
- In a large skillet over medium/high heat, brown the chicken thighs in olive oil on both sides, working in two batches.
- Cut three pounds of red potatoes into 2" chunks and layer the browned chicken and potatoes into a large (8 quart) slow-cooker.
- Season the layers of potatoes with salt and pepper to taste, and top the final layer of potatoes with 1 jar (3.5 ounces) of capers.
- Going back to the skillet, and on low heat and add ¾ cup of white wine.
- Add 2 cups of chicken broth to the skillet, making sure to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in dried thyme and butter.
- Pour the pan sauce over the potatoes and chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Right before serving, add fresh lemon juice and stir.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and potatoes from the cooker.
- Serve and enjoy.
Additional slow cooker main courses:
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: (shown below)
When you need to feed a crowd during the holidays with something that’s delicious, and completely stress-free, these Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are just what the doctor ordered.
Slow Cooker Beef with Peppers, Onions, and Dill (shown below)
This super flavorful Slow Cooker meal is soon to become a family favorite for all the beef lovers...and who can blame them?
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos (shown below)
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos with Rice and Beans is an easy and flavorful “dump” recipe that will please the entire family. It’s so simple, so flavorful, and takes only minutes to prepare.
Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
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Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 pounds red potatoes cut into 2" chunks
- 1 jar 3.5 ounces capers, undrained
- 3 large shallots peeled and minced
- ¾ cup white wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet over medium/high heat, brown the chicken thighs on both sides, four at a time.
- Place four chicken thighs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Top the thighs with half of the cut up potatoes. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
- Top the potatoes with the remaining browned chicken thighs and the remaining potatoes that have been seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Pour the capers over the potatoes in the cooker and top evenly with the shallots.
- Add the wine to the skillet and over medium/low heat, stir in the chicken broth making sure to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the thyme and butter until melted.
- Pour the pan sauce over the chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Right before serving add the fresh lemon juice and stir.
- Remove the chicken and potatoes with a slotted spoon and serve.
Notes
Do not omit the browning of the chicken. This is necessary for flavor, and in making the pan sauce.
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's chicken main course for the slow cooker as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Nellie Tracy says
Such a great weeknight dinner recipe! LOVE it!
Stephie says
I made this the other night and it was great! Super easy. I was planning to reduce down the liquid after cooking to make a sort of gravy, but ran out of time. Next time. 🙂
Renée says
That's a great idea, Stephanie. I'm going to do that next time too. Glad you liked it!
Angie | Big Bears Wife says
Normally when I cook chicken I always go for boneless, skinless chicken BUT when I cook thighs I always want the thigh bone and skin. This is perfect for us!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Thank goodness for husbands who go to the store for us! My hubs is the same and it's a lifesaver! This chicken looks so good and I love all the flavors you packed into this slow cooker dish.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Chicken thighs are my favorite cut! They are so flavorful. I am loving this dish, especially the capers. This would be a family favorite for sure!
Katerina @ Diethood says
WOW! That looks incredible! I especially love the fact that it's made in the slow cooker. Huge bonus!! 😀
Melissa Bailey | Hungry Food Love says
I love everything capers. I can believe I was not aware of kitchen Vesuvio... need to make it soon!
Veronica Gantley says
You can never have enough slow cooker recipes. I love this one it looks so easy.
Lauren kelly nutrition says
What a fantastic recipe Renee! Pinned!
Sabrina says
I love cooking chicken in the slow cooker! It comes out so tender and delicious!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Chicken Vesuvio has a very special place in my heart. I love that you've found a way to make it in the slow cooker and still look delicious.
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
This sounds like such a perfectly comforting dinner. I have some boneless skinless thighs in the fridge, so this is going on the menu in the next couple of days. So excited to add a jar of capers...mmm...
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
Great looking dish...those potatoes look sooo good
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
Such a warm, comforting dish. And, love that you did it in the slow cooker! Gotta love a man who'll run to the grocery store at a moment's notice 🙂
The Food Hunter says
I love everything about this. Planning to make it for my mom the next time she visits
Renée says
I made this for my mom and she absolutely loved it!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
This is my kind of meal...chicken, capers and wine! And better yet - made in the slow cooker so it's super easy!
Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry says
I love a good reason to break out my slow cooker, especially in the summer because we don't have AC. And those glasses are gorgeous!
Stephanie says
This looks so wonderfully flavorful! And I love slow cooker meals!
Ginny McMeans says
I love the slow cooker and that white wine caper sauce sounds so good!
Liz says
Love all your slow cooker recipes, Renee. Thank you and have a Wonderful Week.
Renée says
Thank you, Liz! You do the same, and I hope you'll try this recipe.