Classic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Today’s recipe is very very special in Italian cuisine, This is a tasty dish that has been loved for a very long time, I’ve been thinking about making this recipe for a while, waiting for the perfect moment. Now, I can see that many people on my blog really enjoy the chicken recipes I share. I’m confident that this Classic Chicken Cacciatore will be a favorite among my readers, and they’ll love making it.

The History of Chicken Cacciatore

The name ‘cacciatore’ means ‘hunter’ in Italian. A long time ago, people in Italy made this dish when they came back from hunting. They used whatever animals they caught and cooked them with herbs and tomatoes. Nowadays, They use chicken to make this special recipe.

National Chicken Cacciatore Day?

On October 15th each year, some folks celebrate National Chicken Cacciatore Day. It’s not a big holiday that everyone knows, but it’s a great reason to enjoy this yummy Italian dish. And remember, you can make this recipe at any time you want, not just on that special day.

Is chicken cacciatore gluten-free?

You can make this Classic Chicken Cacciatore recipe without gluten. Just use special ingredients that don’t have gluten. Like a fresh chicken with no gluten stuff, special canned tomatoes and sauce that says gluten-free, and a special flour for the chicken. You can also choose special pasta or rice that doesn’t have gluten. This way, even if you can’t have gluten, you can still enjoy this yummy Classic Chicken Cacciatore. But Unfortunately, this recipe cannot meet Vegan people, because it is based on Chicken and cannot replace chicken with any other vegan option.

The Ingredients

Before you start cooking, you need to get everything you need. Here’s what I use:

For the Chicken:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Salt and black pepper for seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf

Equipment:

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Lid or aluminum foil for covering

Now that you have everything ready, Follow my Easy to follow steps on How to Make Classic Chicken Cacciatore.

How to Make Classic Chicken Cacciatore?

Season and Sear the Chicken

1. Start by seasoning your chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the hot oil, skin side down. Sear them until they develop a golden-brown crust, usually about 4-5 minutes per side. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

Create the Flavorful Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sliced bell peppers. Sauté them until they become soft and translucent, which should take around 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and red wine. Stir to combine.
4. Add dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. These herbs and spices will infuse your sauce with authentic Italian flavors.
5. Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
6. Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 30-35 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
7. Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove the bay leaf.
8. Serve your Classic Chicken Cacciatore hot, Enjoy!

FAQ

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs and drumsticks?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but using bone-in, skin-on pieces will make it taste even better.

Is red wine a must for this recipe?

Red wine makes the sauce taste great, but if you don’t want to use it, you can go for chicken broth instead.

What can I serve with Chicken Cacciatore?

You can go classic with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread. Or choose a regular salad as I did with some mashed potatoes, it pairs great and the taste was so delicious.

How long does it take to make Chicken Cacciatore?

While, it took me around 1 hour to make it from start to finish, But I already had all the necessary ingredients and pieces of equipment in my kitchen.

Conclusion

I hope you have as much fun making and enjoying this Classic Chicken Cacciatore as I do. If you liked this recipe, feel free to share it with your friends and family, so they can enjoy real Italian food too. And remember, you can subscribe to my blog for more yummy recipes, cooking tricks, and more…

Classic Chicken Cacciatore

Maureen Gil

Classic Chicken Cacciatore is a yummy Italian dinner. It's made with chicken, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs. It takes about one hour to make, and it's enough for four people. It's a great tasty choice for chicken recipe lovers, This recipe is a little bit different but believe me it's worth the try.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Salt and black pepper for seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf

* I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

 

Season and Sear the Chicken

• Start by seasoning your chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Place the chicken thighs in the hot oil, skin side down. Sear them until they develop a golden-brown crust, usually about 4-5 minutes per side. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

Create the Flavorful Sauce

• In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sliced bell peppers. Sauté them until they become soft and translucent, which should take around 5 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and red wine. Stir to combine.
• Add dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. These herbs and spices will infuse your sauce with authentic Italian flavors.
• Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
• Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 30-35 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
• Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove the bay leaf.
• Serve your Classic Chicken Cacciatore hot, Enjoy!

Notes

u003cliu003eChicken tastes better with the skin and bones. The skin gets crispy when you cook it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eMake the pan really hot before you put the chicken in. This way, the chicken gets a nice, golden-brown crust.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eWhen the chicken is in the tomato sauce, let it cook slowly. This makes the chicken soft and lets it taste all the yummy flavors. Don't rush this part, believe me, it's worth the wait.u003c/liu003e

Nutrition Facts

Classic Chicken Cacciatore

Amount per Serving

Calories

300

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.