This Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio is hearty, comfort food at it's finest. Juicy tender chicken, perfectly cooked potatoes and peas all in a rich, flavorful sauce! Don't be surprised if people lift up their bowls to get every drop of the delicious white wine and garlic sauce!
What is Chicken Vesuvio
Chicken Vesuvio is an Italian American dish that actually originated in Chicago. It is basically chicken and potatoes cooked with white wine, oregano, garlic and olive oil. All the good stuff!
This version is actually a riff on a Giada recipe that I've been making for years. She adds artichoke hearts to hers, I add peas because I can usually find them easier. I also cook mine in the slow cooker where all that garlic and oregano can infuse the chicken and potatoes all day long!
Ingredients to make Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio
- Peas - I use frozen peas. If you can find frozen artichoke hearts, you can use them. Optional!
- Thyme and Oregano - dried works best for all day long cooking.
- Potatoes - I like red potatoes for this dish, they come out nice and creamy.
- Chicken broth - use Homemade Chicken Broth if you have it!
- White Wine - use a wine that you would drink, not a cooking wine in the small bottles found in the condiment aisle at the grocery store.
- Olive Oil.
- Garlic.
- Onions.
- Chicken Thighs - you want to use bone in thighs. I leave the skin on, but you can remove the skin if you like.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Vesuvio
Step One - Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown it on both sides. This takes about 5-10 minutes per side, you really want it nice and golden. The chicken will release from the pan when it has a nice sear. You will need to do this in batches to keep from crowding the chicken. (This isn't pictured because it's kind of messy and I didn't want my camera by the hot grease.
Step Two - While the chicken is browning, place the cubed potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. You want them about ½ inch to 1 inch cubes. Sprinkle the thyme, oregano, salt and pepper over the potatoes.
Step Three - as the chicken browns, remove it from the skillet and place it on top of the potatoes in the slow cooker.
Step Four - deglaze the pan by adding the white wine to it. Use a wooden spoon to scrape off all the browned bits. Add the chicken broth, the onions, and the garlic and cook for two to three minutes, continuing to scrape all the good stuff off of the bottom of the pan.
Step Four - Pour the onion garlic mixture over the chicken. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
Step Five - About an hour before serving, stir in the peas.
Step Six - right before serving you can stir in an optional tablespoon of butter. This time I forgot to and it wasn't quite as rich as it usually is. This is optional, but really does add a finishing touch of richness.
Easy One Pan Meal!
This is an easy and delicious one pan meal, especially if you use the optional peas. I served it with a salad, but it was so filling, I only ate one of the thighs and had my second thigh for lunch the next day. Mr. Sidewalk Shoes kept commenting on how good it was. It's pure comfort food!
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Stout Stew is another favorite one pan meal!
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls are a favorite with kids and adults!
No need for take out when you can make you own Chicken Pho!
Another favorite of kids and adults is this Chicken Soup with Pasta and Parmesan.
For even, follow my Crock Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes Board on Pinterest.
Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 chicken thighs on the bone skin on
- salt and pepper
- 1 ½ pounds potatoes cubed
- 1 onion diced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup white wine
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon butter optional, but oh so good
- parsley for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a deep sided skillet over medium high heat. Generously season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken thighs for about 5 minutes on each side until a nice golden brown. You'll know when they are ready to turn when they give away from the pan. You may need to do this in batches.
- While they are browning, add the potatoes , oregano and thyme to the slow cooker - sprinkle again with some salt and pepper. Top with the chicken as it finishes browning.
- When all of the chicken is browned, add the white wine to the skillet and scrape to get all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken broth, the garlic and the onion and cook for a couple of minutes, continuing the scrape the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and pour this mixture over the chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. About an hour before serving, add the frozen green peas.
- Right before serving, stir in the butter to add a little richness. Serve with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.
Notes
Nutrition
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Sara says
This looks like a wonderful fall meal. I was looking for new crock pot dishes and am so glad I found this one. Do you have any recommendations for must make chicken dishes that I can put in my crockpot? And peas are a small price to pay for a good wine buzz 🙂
Pam Greer says
Yes, you must make my chicken parmesan soup - it is sooo good!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
This is just an amazing recipe. Looks beautiful via your images and perfectly described.
Carolyn says
I can't wait to dig into this!
Dana DeVolk says
WOW, I have no words. Making this next week!
Laura says
I don't know what I like better--how incredibly delicious this sounds or saying the word "vesuvio." That is just a fun word and I want to make this just so I can tell my kids we are having Vesuvio for dinner. I might even leave out the chicken and let it be a total mystery lol.....
Alice says
LOL I feel like the wine winning and the peas not making it didnt seem to bother anyone since the meal looks amazing 🙂
Shannon @ Dinner from the Heart says
I need to branch out in my slow cooker usage. I tend to do soups and stews and sides, but not as many main dishes. Using chicken thighs sounds delicious. And I would definitely forget the peas. 🙂
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
I love having new crock pot recipes to try. This looks great.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Wow, this sounds so flavorful and easy - and your pictures are enticing Pam! Pinning this one 🙂
swathi says
Looks delicious thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting.
lisaiscooking says
That sounds like a great Sunday! Enjoy some wine, and then, this lovely dinner is ready and waiting. I get used to a plan like this!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Oh goodness. This sounds awesome. And will not forget the peas! They're my fav.
Nutmeg Nanny says
What a delicious way to use your slow cooker! This chicken dish looks amazing!
Ann says
Thanks Pam - another delicious dish for the crock pot. It's going to be a good winter. Must remember the most important ingredient - the vino!
Louise says
I've been using my slow cooker quite a lot this Winter season, Pam. Your Wine tasting Sunday sounds delightful. It's the perfect time to reap the benefits of the slow cooker. Of course, the meal you chose to share sounds like the prefect choice especially with that addition of wine:) I would probably forget the peas, they aren't one of my favorites to begin with, lol...
Thanks so much for sharing, Pam...I don't mind browning first but if you are ever not feeling up to it, I've recently tried a Brown Sugared Chicken recipe which is also made in the crock and uses thighs which doesn't need to be browned first and it too is yummy!!! (It's either on my chicken board or slow cooker board right next to this one; now:)
Betty says
Now THAT was a fun Sunday afternoon! I dragged out my slow cooker this morning for a soup luncheon at work. I think I'll leave it on the counter to remind me to use it- this sounds really good (and I love the name of it)! Maybe I'll even forget the peas. 🙂
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
I really need to get my crock pot out more. I think may have to start with this recipe! It looks and sounds delicious!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
Like you Pam, I've been trying to use my slow cooker more. Your version of the recipe looks tempting as well as easy. Though I don't have chicken thighs in my freezer, there isn't enough snow on the ground here to keep me from getting them at the store. Maybe it will be dinner tomorrow?
Christine (Cook the Story) says
This looks like the perfect thing to have simmering on a cold winter day. I love slow cooker chicken dishes!
Monique says
I wish we didn't have to brown things first.Now that would be brilliant:)
Like your pics.
Cheryl says
This sounds so good. I will definitely give it a try. Your Sunday afternoon sounds wonderful and can I say,mom so impressed that you have a freezer inventory. I need to do that. Behold knew.
Joanne says
Haha not gonna lie, I kind of love that fact that you were too wined up to remember the peas! That's the hallmark of a good wine tasting. 🙂