Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Al Dente Pappardelle

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Pappardelle

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
8 cups aromatics such as onions, leeks and fennel, sliced
3 to 4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
8-12 ounces mushrooms, such as mini bellas, stems trimmed and cleaned, cut in half
1 ( 28-ounce can) whole peeled tomatoes, coarsely chopped (reserve juice)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup red wine (see my notes above regarding using leftover frozen wine)
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 bay leaf, broken in half
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2-3 tablespoons white flour
Fresh torn basil

Pour olive oil in the bottom of cooker. Layer half of aromatics over bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add chicken pieces and cover with remaining aromatics. Top with peppers, mushrooms and chopped tomatoes.
Whisk tomato juice from canned tomatoes with tomato paste, wine, garlic, oregano, fennel seeds, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and red pepper together. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Place bay leaf pieces in pot and cover. Cook on low heat 7 to 9 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours.
An hour before turning off heat, ladle a cup of the hot liquid into a bowl. Whisk flour into hot liquid to make a paste, then whisk paste into slow cooker liquid. Let simmer another hour, or until brew has thickened and chicken is tender to the bone.

Active Time: 30 minutes

Slow Cook Simmer Time: High Setting: apx. 4 hours; Low Setting: 7-8 hours

Number of servings (yield): 6-8 servings