Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This easy classic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe made with chicken, onions, garlic, mushrooms, peppers, tomato and herbs with a bit of wine is perfect for any night of the week.
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that will quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals for feeding a crowd or when you’re craving comfort food. This dish sounds so much fancier than it really is. Cacciatore, which means “hunter” in Italian, is basically a savory rustic one pot stew made with vegetables and meat. While basic in the technique, the ingredients come together to create a flavorful meal. This dish really elevates a stew to something so much more. This cacciatore is an excellent example of how you can take basic ingredients and turn them into a fabulous meal. There is nothing much more gratifying than that.
The preparation of this one pot dish reminds me so much of how Coq au Vin comes together and equally as satisfying. If you’ve never prepared a cacciatore dish, once you make it a time or two it will easily become second nature and be part of your regular menu repertoire. A little browning of the chicken and sautéing of other ingredients is about as technical as this Chicken Cacciatore recipe gets. Once everything is combined, all of the ingredients are left to meld together into one savory, and oh so satisfying meal. This is perfect comfort food for sure!
How to Make Chicken Cacciatore
- Begin by seasoning chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Warm a large dutch oven or braising pan over medium heat. Once heated, add olive oil to the pan and heat oil until rippling.
- Working in batches, brown chicken pieces about 3 minutes on each side. Then remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- After removing chicken from the pan, add diced onion and pepper and sauté for 5 minutes. Next, add mushrooms and continue to sauté for another 3 minutes. Push all of the vegetables to one side of pan, then add grated garlic, capers, oregano and rosemary. Stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Stir in red wine to deglaze the pan. Cook for 3 minutes scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan.
- Add diced tomatoes (along with the liquid), chicken broth and a bay leaf and bring to a low boil. Take a moment to salt and pepper to taste.
- Finish by tucking the browned chicken into the sauce, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for a minimum of 45 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- If you’d like garnish with fresh chopped parsley and/or grated parmesan.
- Serve warm over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, pasta or rice.
Chicken Cacciatore is perfect for making ahead of time by a day or so. It reheats very well and is great served as leftovers. Serve this dish warm with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, pasta or rice for a hearty meal. Or, for a lighter option, serve as a stew with a tossed salad.
More favorite Italian comfort food recipes you’ll enjoy:
Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Chicken Cacciatore
An easy classic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe made with chicken, onions, garlic, mushrooms, peppers, tomato and herbs with a bit of wine. The perfect comfort food!
Ingredients
- 4-4 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces, trimmed
- salt and black pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced/grated
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup diced red and/or yellow bell pepper (about 2 bell peppers)
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat a dutch oven or large braising pan over medium heat. Add olive oil to the pan and heat until rippling. Working in batches, brown chicken pieces about 3 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan; set aside.
- Add diced onion and pepper to pan and saute for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to saute for another 3 minutes. Push all vegetables to one side of pan. Add grated garlic, capers, oregano and rosemary; stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Stir in wine, cook for 3 minutes scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan.
- Add diced tomatoes (with liquid), chicken broth and bay leaf; bring to a low boil. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Tuck browned chicken into sauce, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low; cover and cook for a minimum of 45 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley; grated parmesan.
- Serving suggestions: serve warm over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, pasta or rice.
Notes
Fresh herbs may be substituted. If substituting fresh herbs, triple the amounts called for in recipe for dried version. Easy prep a 1-2 days ahead of time: chop vegetables, cover and refrigerate; measure herbs and cover.
Cooked it tonight for the first time. Did the recipe × 4. Noting left. My large family made short work of it. I will be making it a regular at my house.
I have made this exactly as instructed a few times. I absolutely love this recipe! Any chance to use my Dutch oven I’m in!! My parents came to visit from out of state & I made this for them. Once they got back home my mom asked me for the recipe. It’s easy & delicious!
Great recipe for the Instant Pot!
That looks delicious!
I loved this recipe! So simple, but so gourmet! Does anyone have recommendations to thicken the sauce slightly so it can cling better to the pasta noodles?
You can thicken with cornstarch, butter n flour or even just bread, which I recommend.
What could I used instead of mushrooms? Neither of us likes mushrooms but I’m sure they are included for part of the flavor in end result.
Thanks,
They do add to the flavor, but if you don’t like them, leave them out. You could add in a bit more onions or extra bell pepper if you’d like.
Delicious! Added oregano, basil, parsley, thyme and a little pepper flakes. My husband liked it as well but he is not a fan of chicken with bones but this is what I am familiar with as most restaurants prepare with bones in chicken. Thank you!