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Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello: A Sweet & Spicy Italian-American Comfort Food Delight
        
Dive into the rich, sweet, and spicy flavors of this classic Italian-American Chicken Scarpariello. Also known as Shoemaker's Chicken, this hearty slow cooker dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for cool evenings and effortless family meals.
        
    

    

        

            
As the crisp air of autumn settles in and temperatures begin their delightful dip, there's a collective yearning for meals that warm us from the inside out. It's the season for hearty, "stick-to-your-bones" dishes, and nothing answers that call quite like a robust, flavorful slow cooker creation. Today, we're bringing you an exceptional recipe that perfectly embodies this spirit: Chicken Scarpariello, a true gem of Italian-American cuisine, wonderfully adapted for the convenience of your slow cooker.

            
What is Chicken Scarpariello? A Taste of Italian-American Heritage
            
Chicken Scarpariello, charmingly translated as "Shoemaker's Chicken," is a rustic, soul-satisfying dish with roots deeply embedded in Italian-American kitchens. Traditionally, it’s known for its delightful balance of sweet and spicy notes, achieved through a vibrant mix of ingredients. Our slow cooker rendition captures all the authentic flavors of this beloved classic, delivering tender chicken thighs and savory Italian sausage simmered to perfection with an irresistible medley of peppers and potatoes in a tangy, aromatic sauce.
            
The beauty of Scarpariello lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it develops. It’s a dish that feels both elegant and down-to-earth, making it a fantastic choice for a weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend gathering. The combination of succulent chicken, rich sausage, and the unique sweet-tang of peppadew peppers creates a symphony for your palate that you won't soon forget.
        

        

            
Why You'll Fall in Love with this Slow Cooker Recipe
            
If you're anything like us, the allure of a slow cooker meal is undeniable. Imagine prepping your dinner in the morning, setting it to cook, and returning later to a home filled with incredible aromas and a fully cooked, delicious meal. That's the magic of this Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello!
            

                
Effortless Convenience: Beyond a brief initial browning, this recipe is largely hands-off. It frees up your time, allowing you to focus on other tasks, enjoy your day, or simply relax, knowing a fantastic dinner is simmering away.
                
Unrivaled Flavor Development: Slow cooking is a master at tenderizing meats and melding flavors. The extended cooking time allows the chicken, sausage, peppers, and aromatic liquids to beautifully infuse, creating a sauce that's incredibly rich and complex.
                
A Complete Meal in One Pot: With chicken, sausage, and baby Yukon Gold potatoes all cooking together, this dish is a true one-pot wonder. It's a satisfying meat-and-potatoes family dinner that needs minimal, if any, additional sides.
                
Distinctive Sweet and Spicy Profile: The star of the show, peppadew peppers, brings a delightful sweet and tangy kick that perfectly complements the savory sausage and tender chicken. Along with a touch of white wine and fresh rosemary, it creates a flavor combination that's truly unique and addictively delicious.
            
            
This dish is not just a meal; it's an experience. It's the kind of comforting food that brings warmth and joy, especially as the seasons change and we gather indoors.
        

        

        

            
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Scarpariello
            
Crafting this incredible Chicken Scarpariello begins with selecting quality ingredients that contribute to its signature sweet and spicy flavor. Here's what you'll need, along with a few insights into their role:
            

                
Olive Oil: The foundation for browning and adding a touch of Mediterranean richness.
                
Bulk Sweet Italian Sausage: A key flavor component, providing a savory, slightly sweet base. Choose a good quality sausage for the best results.
                
Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth as it caramelizes with the sausage.
                
Garlic: Essential for that classic Italian-American flavor profile. Freshly minced is always best.
                
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Ideal for slow cooking as they remain incredibly tender and absorb flavors beautifully without drying out.
                
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors.
                
Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes: These small, waxy potatoes hold their shape well during slow cooking and become wonderfully tender, absorbing the delicious sauce.
                
Peppadew Peppers (with Brine): The secret ingredient! These South African peppers are uniquely sweet and tangy with a mild heat. Don't forget to include some of their brine, which adds a fantastic punch to the sauce. You can often find them at the olive bar or specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Aim for about 1/3 cup of brine (roughly 5-6 teaspoons) from your chopped peppers.
                
White Cooking Wine: Contributes acidity and depth, deglazing the pot and enhancing the overall savoriness of the dish.
                
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Forms the bulk of the simmering liquid, ensuring everything cooks through and develops rich flavor.
                
White Wine Vinegar: A touch of extra acidity to brighten the sauce and balance the richness.
                
Fresh Rosemary: Its earthy, piney aroma is a perfect match for the savory meats and sweet peppers, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor.
            
            
Each ingredient plays a crucial part in building the complex and comforting profile of this Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello.
        

        

        

            
Your Essential Guide to Slow Cooking Perfection
            
Using a slow cooker for this Chicken Scarpariello truly streamlines the process, transforming a delicious meal into an effortlessly convenient one. For this recipe, I personally love my Original Green Pan Slow Cooker. Its browning function is a game-changer, allowing you to sear your meats directly in the slow cooker pot before switching to the low-and-slow cooking setting. This means less cleanup and even more convenience!
            
However, if your slow cooker doesn't have a browning feature, don't fret! You can easily brown the sausage and chicken in a separate skillet on your stovetop, then transfer them to your slow cooker for the remaining cooking time. The key is not to skip that initial browning step, as it locks in flavor and develops a beautiful depth that truly elevates the dish.

            
Step-By-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello
            

                

                    Brown the Sausage and Onions: Heat the olive oil in your slow cooker (if it has a browning function) or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bulk sweet Italian sausage and chopped yellow onions. Break up the sausage with a spoon and cook until it's no longer pink and the onions are softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Using a slotted spoon, remove the sausage and onion mixture to a bowl and set it aside, leaving any rendered fat in the slow cooker or skillet. This flavorful fat will contribute to the sauce.
                    
                
                

                    Sear the Chicken Thighs: Season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the same slow cooker or skillet where you cooked the sausage (adding a little more olive oil if needed). Brown the chicken on both sides for about 3 minutes per side, until golden. The chicken doesn't need to be cooked through at this stage; we're just building flavor and color on the exterior. It will finish cooking slowly and gently later.
                    
                
                

                    Combine and Simmer: Return the reserved sausage, onions, and garlic mixture to the slow cooker with the browned chicken thighs. Add the baby Yukon Gold potatoes (whole if very small, halved if larger), chopped peppadew peppers along with their brine (approximately 1/3 cup), white cooking wine, low-sodium chicken broth, white wine vinegar, and the fresh rosemary sprigs. Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
                    
                
                

                    Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-5 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). The chicken will be incredibly tender and succulent, and the sauce rich and inviting.
                
            
        

        

            
Cook's Notes & Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Scarpariello
            

                
Don't Skip the Browning: While it might seem like an extra step, browning the sausage and chicken initially is crucial for building deep, complex flavors. This creates fond (the caramelized bits at the bottom of the pot) which adds immense savoriness to your final sauce.
                
Peppadew Power: Peppadew peppers are what give Scarpariello its signature sweet and mildly spicy tang. Look for them near the olive bar, pickled vegetables, or specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Remember to use some of the brine – it's packed with flavor! If you can't find peppadews, roasted red peppers can be a substitute, but you might want to add a pinch of sugar and a dash of hot sauce to mimic the unique sweet-spicy profile.
                
Chicken Thighs are Key: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are highly recommended for this recipe. They stay moist and tender during the long slow cooking process, unlike chicken breasts which can dry out.
                
Potatoes in the Pot: Including baby Yukon Gold potatoes directly in the slow cooker makes this a truly all-in-one meal. They absorb the wonderful flavors of the sauce and become perfectly tender. If you prefer, you can omit them and serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread on the side.
                
Adjusting Spice: If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic. For a milder version, simply reduce the amount of peppadew brine or use fewer peppers.
                
Serving Suggestions: Chicken Scarpariello is fantastic on its own. However, it also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, a side of creamy polenta, or a crusty baguette for soaking up every last drop of that amazing sauce.
            
        

        

            
Storage & Reheating
            
Storage: Leftover Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day!
            
Reheating: To reheat, gently warm portions in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
        

        

            
More Delicious Slow Cooker Meals to Warm Your Soul
            
If you're a fan of the slow cooker's magic, be sure to explore these other comforting and easy recipes:
            

                
Easy Slow Cooker Gumbo
                
Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Soup
                
Bratwurst Potato Soup in the Slow Cooker
            
        

        

            
Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello Recipe
            
            
Author: MaryAnn Dwyer
            
Servings: 4 servings
            
This Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello, also known as Shoemaker's Chicken, is an Italian-American dish that perfectly blends sweet and spicy notes. It's a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal, ideal for comfort food season!

            

                
Prep Time: 30 mins
                
Cook Time: 5 hrs
                
Total Time: 5 hrs 30 mins
            

            
Ingredients
            

                
2 Tbsp. olive oil
                
1 lb. bulk sweet Italian sausage
                
1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
                
6 cloves garlic, minced
                
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
                
Salt and pepper, to taste
                
1 1/2 cups baby Yukon Gold potatoes, whole if super small, halved if larger
                
2/3 cup peppadew peppers, chopped with 1/3 cup brine
                
1 cup white cooking wine
                
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
                
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
                
3 large sprigs fresh rosemary
            

            
Instructions
            

                
Brown Sausage and Onions: Add olive oil, sausage, and chopped onions to your slow cooker (if it has a browning function) or a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the sausage, until it's no longer pink and onions are softened and translucent (about 8-10 minutes). Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove the sausage and onion mixture with a slotted spoon to a bowl and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
                
Sear Chicken: Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the slow cooker or skillet. Brown on both sides for about 3 minutes per side, just until golden. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
                
Combine All Ingredients: Return the reserved sausage, onions, and garlic mixture to the slow cooker alongside the browned chicken. Add the baby Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped peppadew peppers with their 1/3 cup brine, white cooking wine, low-sodium chicken broth, white wine vinegar, and fresh rosemary sprigs. Stir gently to combine.
                
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4-5 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
            

            
Notes
            

                
Initial browning of the chicken is only for flavor and color; it will fully cook during the 4-5 hours on low in the slow cooker until it reaches 165°F.
                
Adding potatoes directly to the slow cooker ensures they cook beautifully with all the other ingredients, making it a convenient all-in-one meal.
            

            
Nutrition
            
Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
            

                
Calories: 827 kcal
                
Carbohydrates: 27g
                
Protein: 53g
                
Fat: 51g
                
Saturated Fat: 16g
                
Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g
                
Monounsaturated Fat: 24g
                
Trans Fat: 0.03g
                
Cholesterol: 247mg
                
Sodium: 1012mg
                
Potassium: 1338mg
                
Fiber: 4g
                
Sugar: 5g
                
Vitamin A: 844 IU
                
Vitamin C: 58mg
                
Calcium: 81mg
                
Iron: 4mg
            

            
Keywords:
            
Chicken, Italian sausage, Slow Cooker, Comfort Food, Italian-American
            
Cuisine:
            
American, Italian
            
Course:
            
Main Dish

            

                
Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, I'd love to see! Be sure to follow The Beach House Kitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen!
            
            
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Final Thoughts on this Irresistible Comfort Meal
            
This Slow Cooker Chicken Scarpariello is more than just a meal; it's a celebration of robust flavors, comforting warmth, and the simple joy of hands-off cooking. It's a dish that brings people together, fills your home with incredible aromas, and leaves everyone feeling utterly satisfied. The delicate balance of sweet peppadew peppers with savory Italian sausage and tender chicken thighs, all steeped in a tangy, herby sauce, truly makes this a winner-winner chicken dinner.
            
What's even better is that while it delivers all the hearty satisfaction of classic comfort food, it does so without being overly rich or swimming in heavy sauces. It's a wholesome and balanced option that still feels like an indulgence.
            
We genuinely hope you give this recipe a try and let the magic of the slow cooker transform your kitchen into an Italian-American trattoria. Please don't hesitate to share your experience or ask any questions in the comments below. Happy cooking, and enjoy every flavorful bite!
            
Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit Magazine