Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

This delicious and comforting Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty, one-pot Italian classic that’s perfect for a quick yet flavorful dinner. With tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and aromatic herbs, it’s a simple yet impressive dish. Serve it over pasta or with crusty bread, and feel free to swap in your favorite veggies for extra flexibility!

Recipe Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• One 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces (breasts halved)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 serrano or jalapeno chile, finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 cups homemade or canned low-sodium chicken broth
• One 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, with juices, pureed
• 3 small sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• Honey
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus sprigs for garnish
• 2 tablespoons brined capers, drained
• 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
• Thinly shaved Parmesan

How To Make Chicken Cacciatore Recipe?

1. Brown the Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate.
2. Cook the Mushrooms: Add 1 tbsp of oil to the pan and heat until almost smoking. Add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes until golden brown and their liquid has evaporated. Remove to a plate.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the pan. Cook the onions and bell peppers for 4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, serrano chile, and chilli flakes, cooking for another minute.
4. Deglaze with Wine: Stir in the red wine and cook until almost completely reduced.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Add chicken broth, puréed tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme. Bring to a simmer. Return the dark meat (legs and thighs) and mushrooms to the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
6. Add the White Meat: Place the chicken breasts into the pan, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove all chicken pieces to a shallow bowl and tent with foil.
7. Thicken the Sauce: Increase heat to high and reduce the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 15 minutes). Stir in a drizzle of honey, chopped basil, and capers. Adjust seasoning to taste.
8. Serve: Return the chicken to the pan, coating it in the sauce. Serve over cooked spaghetti, garnished with fresh basil and shaved Parmesan. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Sear the Chicken for Extra Flavor : Browning the chicken before simmering locks in flavor and gives the dish a rich, deep taste. Don’t skip this step!
• Use Good-Quality Tomatoes : The sauce is a key part of this dish, so choose high-quality canned plum tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Let the Sauce Thicken : Simmering the sauce until it reduces makes it richer and more flavorful. Don’t rush this step!
• Add Fresh Herbs at the End : Cooking herbs like rosemary and thyme with the sauce is great, but add fresh basil just before serving for the best aroma and taste.
• Adjust the Spice Level : If you like a milder dish, skip the red chili flakes. If you want more heat, add extra jalapeño or a pinch of chili powder.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover Chicken Cacciatore cool to room temperature. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Once cooled, transfer Chicken Cacciatore to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat: Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 265
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 593mg
• Potassium: 666mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 11g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 30g

Check out More Recipes:

• Grilled Leg Of Lamb With Garlic And Rosemary
• Spaghetti And Meat Balls With Tomato Sauce
• Beef Stew Recipe
• Pork Chops and Applesauce