Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that has been enjoyed for generations. This hearty and flavorful meal is made with tender chicken, fragrant herbs and spices, and a savory tomato sauce. It’s the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening, and it’s also a great way to impress guests at a dinner party.
Whether you’re looking for a meal to feed the whole family or a romantic dinner for two, Chicken Cacciatore is a dish that’s sure to please. So, let’s get cooking and learn how to make this delicious Italian favorite!
Contents
What Does Chicken Cacciatore Mean?
Chicken Cacciatore is an Italian dish that translates to “hunter-style chicken”. The dish typically features chicken braised in a tomato-based sauce with onions, garlic, and herbs.
What Cut of Chicken Is Best for Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken thighs or drumsticks are the preferred cut of chicken for Chicken Cacciatore. These cuts are more flavorful and tend to be more tender when braised.
Can I Use Canned Tomatoes Instead of Fresh Tomatoes in Chicken Cacciatore?
Yes, you can use canned tomatoes in Chicken Cacciatore. Use 1 can of diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes in place of 2-3 fresh tomatoes. You can also use canned tomato sauce if you prefer a smoother sauce.
What Are Some Good Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Cacciatore?
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Cacciatore is often served with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables would also be a good side dish.
Things to Consider for This Recipe
Use Bone-In Chicken: Chicken thighs and legs with the bone-in will add more flavor and moisture to the dish.
Brown the Chicken: Before adding the chicken to the sauce, brown it in a separate pan. This will add flavor and color to the chicken and help it cook evenly.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil will add more flavor to the sauce than dried herbs. However, if fresh herbs are not available, you can use dried herbs instead.
Use A Good Quality Canned Tomato: Use good quality canned tomatoes, such as San Marzano, to add rich flavor to the sauce.
More Poultry Recipes
Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 6(6-ounce) bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- as required salt and ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 large carrot peeled and sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 small yellow bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 10 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ cup black olives pitted
- ½ cup red wine
- 7 ounces Roma tomatoes halved
- 1(28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes crushed
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and blackpepper evenly.
- In a heavy cast-iron skillet, heat 2tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat and sear the chicken thighs for about3-4 minutes per side.
- With a slotted spoon, transfer the chickenthighs onto a plate.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium heat and sauté theonion for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the carrot, bell peppers, mushrooms andherbs and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the wine and cook for about 2-3 minutes,scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepperflakes, salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
- Add the chicken thighs and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered forabout 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the olives and simmer for about 10minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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