What is chicken cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore is a traditional Italian braised dish meaning "hunter-style chicken." It features chicken pieces simmered slowly in a flavorful sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs like rosemary and oregano, bell peppers, and sometimes mushrooms or wine. This hearty one-pot meal originated as a practical way for hunters to cook game, using readily available ingredients. The result is tender chicken in a rich, rustic sauce perfect for serving over pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.

What ingredients do I need for chicken cacciatore?

Essential ingredients for chicken cacciatore include chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a whole cut-up chicken), olive oil, onions, garlic, canned tomatoes (crushed or whole peeled), bell peppers (often red or green), dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme), and chicken broth. Optional additions include mushrooms, carrots, celery, a splash of red or white wine, and fresh basil or parsley for garnish. Salt and black pepper are key seasonings. This versatile dish allows flexibility based on what you have available.

How do you make chicken cacciatore?

To make chicken cacciatore, start by seasoning and browning chicken pieces in olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken and sauté chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened. Add mushrooms if using, then stir in crushed tomatoes, herbs, and broth. Return the chicken to the pot, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened. Uncover for the last 15 minutes if needed to reduce the sauce.

What do you serve with chicken cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore pairs wonderfully with starches that soak up its rich sauce. Classic options include polenta (creamy or fried), pasta (like spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne), creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty Italian bread. Rice, especially Arborio for a risotto-style dish, also works well. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing to balance the richness of the sauce.

How long does chicken cacciatore take to cook?

Chicken cacciatore typically requires about 1 to 1.5 hours of total cooking time. This includes 10-15 minutes for initial browning the chicken and sautéing vegetables, followed by 45-60 minutes of simmering. The longer simmer time allows the chicken to become very tender and infuses the sauce with deep flavor. Using bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces often yields the best results and can handle the longer cooking time without drying out.

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe: Easy One Pot Meal in 45 Minutes

Name: Chicken Cacciatore
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: – 2 pounds chicken pieces for base protein; – 2 tablespoons olive oil for browning the chicken; – 1 large onion for adding sweetness and depth; – 3 cloves garlic for pungent kick; – 1 can crushed tomatoes for forming the hearty sauce; – 2 bell peppers for crunch and vitamins; – 1 teaspoon dried oregano for earthy notes; – 1 teaspoon dried rosemary for pine-like fragrance; – 1 teaspoon dried thyme for subtle warmth; – 1 cup chicken broth for simmering the ingredients; – 8 ounces mushrooms for earthy texture and umami; – 2 carrots for extra sweetness and nutrients; – 2 celery stalks for crunch and freshness; – 1/2 cup wine for acidity and complexity; – Fresh basil or parsley for garnish; – Salt and black pepper for seasoning; – 2 pounds firm tofu or seitan; – vegetable broth

Description

🍗 Relish a hearty, one-pot meal that’s bursting with Italian flavors, making dinner effortless and full of nutritious ingredients.
🍗 Explore the convenience of minimal cleanup while enjoying tender chicken and veggies that make this a family favorite for any night.

Ingredients

– 2 pounds chicken pieces for base protein

– 2 tablespoons olive oil for browning the chicken

– 1 large onion for adding sweetness and depth

– 3 cloves garlic for pungent kick

– 1 can crushed tomatoes for forming the hearty sauce

– 2 bell peppers for crunch and vitamins

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano for earthy notes

– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary for pine-like fragrance

– 1 teaspoon dried thyme for subtle warmth

– 1 cup chicken broth for simmering the ingredients

– 8 ounces mushrooms for earthy texture and umami

– 2 carrots for extra sweetness and nutrients

– 2 celery stalks for crunch and freshness

– 1/2 cup wine for acidity and complexity

– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

– Salt and black pepper for seasoning

– 2 pounds firm tofu or seitan

– vegetable broth

Instructions

1-Preparation and Mise-en-Place: Before you start, gather all your ingredients and tools to make the process smooth. This step ensures you don’t miss anything and helps the cooking flow effortlessly.

2-First Step: Season and Brown the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your 2 pounds of chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and brown it for about 5 minutes on each side until golden. This step locks in the flavors and gives the chicken a nice crust.

3-Second Step: Sauté the Vegetables: Remove the browned chicken from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their aromas, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and build a flavorful base.

4-Third Step: Add Herbs and Tomatoes: Stir in the dried oregano, rosemary, and thyme, cooking for another minute to awaken the herbs’ flavors. Then, pour in the 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of chicken broth, mixing everything together to create a rich sauce that will simmer with the chicken.

5-Fourth Step: Return and Simmer the Chicken: Add back the chicken pieces, along with any optional ingredients like mushrooms or carrots. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 45-60 minutes, allowing the chicken to become tender and the sauce to thicken beautifully.

6-Fifth Step: Final Touches and Serving: Uncover the pot for the last 10-15 minutes to let the sauce reduce if needed, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the chicken cacciatore hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley, over pasta, polenta, or rice for a complete meal. You’ll find it even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Notes

🍗 Use bone-in chicken for extra flavor and moisture in the dish.
🍲 Substitute with vegetables like zucchini if you want to add more greens.
⏱️ Prepare ingredients ahead to make the cooking process quicker and smoother.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
None: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 400 per serving
Sugar: 6 grams
Sodium: 600 milligrams
Fat: 20 grams
Saturated Fat: 5 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 12 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 15 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Protein: 35 grams
Cholesterol: 120 milligrams

Keywords: Chicken Cacciatore, Easy One Pot, Dinner Recipe, Italian Dish