Homestyle Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish featuring tender chicken simmered with bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, resulting in a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced into strips
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the chicken: Season the chicken thighs and drumsticks generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces skin side down and brown thoroughly on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook over medium heat until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the white wine if using. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer with chicken: Return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving. Serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken provides the best flavor and juiciness, but boneless chicken breasts can be substituted with adjusted cooking time.
- Dry white wine is optional but adds depth to the sauce; substitute with chicken broth if desired.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid drying out the chicken and ensure tender results.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and taste even better as flavors meld.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the canned tomatoes and seasonings do not contain gluten additives.
Keywords: Chicken Cacciatore, Italian chicken recipe, braised chicken, tomato sauce chicken, classic Italian dish
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/homestyle-chicken-cacciatore-recipe/
