Chicken Cacciatore Recipe Guide

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Chicken Cacciatore

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed: Large skillet or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, tongs, measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 bell pepper sliced
• 1 carrot sliced
• 1 cup dry white wine optional for extra depth
• 1 can 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup black olives optional
• 1 tablespoon capers optional
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Method
• Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, skin side down, and cook until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes). Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
• Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
• Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine (if using), scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the wine reduces slightly.
• Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, olives, capers (if using), and oregano to the pan. Stir everything together, then return the chicken to the pan, skin side up. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Cook the Chicken: Cover the skillet and simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Check for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
• Finish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve with a side of pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
• Variations & Tips
• Substitute chicken parts: If you prefer boneless chicken breasts or thighs, they work too, but adjust the cooking time as they cook faster than bone-in cuts.
• For a spicier dish: Add red pepper flakes or a fresh chili to the sauce.
• For a healthier version: Use skinless chicken or replace the white wine with extra broth or water.
• Vegetarian twist: Use hearty vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms instead of chicken for a satisfying vegetarian cacciatore.

Keyword Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora) is a traditional Italian dish from the central and southern regions of Italy, especially Tuscany, and it’s beloved for its comforting and rustic flavors. The dish features chicken simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with vegetables, wine, and herbs. Based on my overall experience, let me show you how I make this delicious, hearty meal.

What to Expect

When you make Chicken Cacciatore, you’ll be greeted with a savory aroma that fills your kitchen. The chicken will be tender and juicy, and the sauce will be rich and flavorful, with the balance of sweet tomatoes and savory olives and capers. You can expect a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for a cozy dinner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Time to Stand: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Ease of Cooking: Medium
Servings: 4
Calories per Serving: Approx. 400-450 kcal
Cost of Ingredients: Budget-friendly
Cuisine: Italian
Course: Main Course
Equipment Needed: Large skillet or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, tongs, measuring cups and spoons

• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory
  #Chicken Cacciatore  now.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional for extra depth)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup black olives (optional)
• 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory
  #Chicken Cacciatore  now.

Method

1. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, skin side down, and cook until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes). Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
3. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine (if using), scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the wine reduces slightly.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, olives, capers (if using), and oregano to the pan. Stir everything together, then return the chicken to the pan, skin side up. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Cook the Chicken: Cover the skillet and simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Check for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
6. Finish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve with a side of pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Variations & Tips

• Substitute chicken parts: If you prefer boneless chicken breasts or thighs, they work too, but adjust the cooking time as they cook faster than bone-in cuts.
• For a spicier dish: Add red pepper flakes or a fresh chili to the sauce.
• For a healthier version: Use skinless chicken or replace the white wine with extra broth or water.
• Vegetarian twist: Use hearty vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms instead of chicken for a satisfying vegetarian cacciatore.
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory
  #Chicken Cacciatore  now.

Substitutions for Specific Dietary Needs

• Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so you can pair it with gluten-free pasta or enjoy it with a side of rice.
• Low-Carb: Serve this dish with steamed veggies or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
• Dairy-Free: This dish doesn’t contain any dairy, so it’s already dairy-free!

Nutritional Information Per Serving

• Calories: 400-450 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 650mg

I hope this guide has made making Chicken Cacciatore seem a little less daunting! Have you tried it before, or is this your first time? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below, I love to hear feedback from real people like you, so please leave your honest thoughts!