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    You are here: Home / Cooking Times / c) 1 - 2 hrs / Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken Cacciatore

    23 February 2018 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Are you ready for another classic from the much loved Italian cuisine? Chicken cacciatore is beautifully simple recipe that is ideal to serve for the family.

    Cacciatore Chicken

    Once you have completed the necessary preparations, it can mind its own business bubbling away on the stove for a while. This dish is perfect for when you need an easy weeknight dinner and you can even help the kids with their homework while it's cooking.

    There are a lot of variations you can do to this basic recipe, so feel free to be creative. There is even some debate which version is the most original as recipes usually vary from family to family. Perhaps, you will even invent your own version after trying this one out.

    What exactly is chicken cacciatore?

    If we analyse the term "cacciatore", the word means "hunter" in Italian. So if you ever spot the phrase alla cacciatore on a menu, it refers to the rustic “hunter-style” that you will also find in this dish.

    To break it down, chicken cacciatore is a casserole with pieces of chicken in a tomato sauce, served with pasta. For my chicken cacciatore, I have used chicken thighs. However, you can any cut of chicken you prefer.

    Remember to brown the chicken in the pan first before adding the liquids. That way you avoid the skin being pale and flabby after the cooking process.

    As it is a casserole, the skin will not be crispy unless you brown it first. Remove the chicken after frying, turn down the heat and then fry the onions and garlic.

    Be careful not to burn it because garlic becomes bitter when it browns. Add the white wine and let the alcohol sizzle away before adding the tomatoes and chicken stock.

    A general tip here is to never throw leftover white wine away. If there is a bit left then cork up the bottle and stick it in the fridge.

    You can use it for cooking for at least a couple of weeks. Now comes the best bit.

    Put the chicken back into the pan and let it simmer at low heat until cooked. That should take you about 45 minutes, in which you can prepare the sides.

    Casserole Chicken Tomato

    Variation of chicken cacciatore

    Many Italian families have their own version of chicken cacciatore. Some of the popular additions to this dish are bell peppers or mushrooms.

    Mushrooms are especially great for making the dish more filling and thus lasting longer. You can also add chopped black or green olives, or even anchovies!

    As with many rustic Italian dishes, I prefer to keep it simple. A few high quality ingredients put together and well seasoned can be wonderful.

    For a memorable chicken cacciatore you obviously need a proper chicken. Please do not buy the cheapest frozen one out there because it will make the dish taste sad, plus the chicken will rubbery.

    I like to think that the chicken had a decent life, which is why I prefer free range organic chicken.

    If you feel that this basic recipe is too plain for you, you can always add a bit more herbs and spices. For example, adding a pinch of chili for some extra kick in the background or some oregano to enhance the Italian flavour.

     Chicken Stew

    What to serve with it

    Any good stew needs a good base to go with it and the chicken cacciatore is no different. I chose to serve mine with buttered pasta, which is also one of the most common sides.

    If you toss the cooked pasta with a little butter it doesn’t get so sticky. I find that this works better than tossing the pasta with olive oil.

    If you get bored during those 45 minutes of simmering, you can try to make your own pasta. It’s quite simple but a couple of helping hands when rolling out the pasta dough is essential!

    If, on the other hand you are not so keen on pasta, there are plenty of alternatives. You can enjoy the chicken cacciatore with boiled rice, potatoes or potato mash, for example.

    You can also try making rosemary roast potatoes or cheesy garlic bread as a side dish.  If you are looking for a healthier alternative, you can opt for lentils or quinoa.

    Some Italians serve chicken cacciatore simply with a good loaf of rustic bread. However, to keep things Italian, why not try my pesto stuffed bread?

    This is also helpful if you are feeding more people. This way it’s a more complete dish. If you feel like you are missing something green on the plate, I suggest you to make a simple salad to go with it.

    Casserole Chicken Pasta

    Serving

    Upon serving, I added the capers. Capers are widely used in traditional Italian cuisine but not everybody is a fan. If you are one of those people who doesn’t like them then simply leave them out.

    A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley is an absolute must though. The green finish lifts the dish and the Italians would never serve it without it.

    Therefore, unless you simply can’t stand parsley make sure to add it. If like me, you have basil in your window sill, it won’t hurt to add a few chopped leaves of that too.

    Nothing beats the smell of fresh basil, transporting you to Italy in an instant.

    Storage

    The chicken cacciatore can easily be stored in the fridge until the next day, allowing the flavours to develop. Perfect for an easy lunch, simply boil some pasta and heat the stew gently.

    If you don’t have a large family to feed or maybe just made a big batch, the recipe freezes well.

    Divide the chicken cacciatore up into portions and freeze them and you will always have a tasty and healthy ready-made meal waiting for you when you need it. It will easily last about two to three months in the freezer.

    What is your favourite Italian chicken recipe?

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    Cacciatore Chicken

    Chicken Cacciatore


    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Chicken Cacciatore is an authentic Italian chicken recipe comprising chicken thighs, red peppers, tomatoes and capers. You'll learn what to serve with chicken cacciatore too!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8 chicken thighs
    • 60ml (4 tbsp) seasoned flour for dusting
    • 30ml (2 tbsp) oil
    • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
    • 2 large red peppers, washed and chopped
    • 125ml (¼ cup) dry white wine
    • 1 (400g) can chopped tomatoes
    • 400ml (⅔ pt) chicken stock
    • 60ml (4 tbsp) capers, drained
    • 60ml (4 tbsp) flat leaf parsley, chopped

    Instructions

    1. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan.
    2. Dust the chicken with flour and brown the pieces on a high heat.
    3. Remove the chicken, lower the heat and add the onions.
    4. Once the onions are translucent, add the garlic and red peppers and fry for 2 minutes.
    5. Turn up the heat, add the wine and let it bubble for 2 minutes.
    6. Add the tomatoes and stock, and stir well.
    7. Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce and let the mixture reach a bubbling point.
    8. Lower the heat until the stew slowly simmers and continue to cook for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and tender.
    9. Add the capers at the last minute and sprinkle the parsley upon serving.
    10. Serve with buttered pasta.

    Notes

    • This dish freezes well for later consumption.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 1 hour
    • Category: Stew
    • Method: Braise
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 423
    • Sugar: 3 g
    • Sodium: 709 mg
    • Fat: 17.8 g
    • Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
    • Fiber: 1.6 g
    • Protein: 42.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 125 mg

    Keywords: chicken cacciatore, what to serve with chicken cacciatore, authentic italian chicken recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim Neville

      February 23, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      Creamy tuscan garlic chicken

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:06 pm

        Yum!!

        Reply
    2. Tracey Peach

      February 23, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      I love the look of the Chicken Cacciatore you have made

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:06 pm

        thanks Tracey 🙂

        Reply
    3. Tracy Nixon

      February 23, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      I love chicken stuffed with spinach and pancetta!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:06 pm

        ooo, haven't had this for ages

        Reply
    4. melanie stirling

      February 23, 2018 at 10:51 pm

      Chicken parmigiana is my favourite.

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:06 pm

        nice!

        Reply
    5. Solange

      February 23, 2018 at 11:01 pm

      Chicken arrabbiata.

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:07 pm

        nice!

        Reply
    6. Rosie

      February 24, 2018 at 1:54 am

      My favorite is Chicken Parmigiana!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:07 pm

        nice

        Reply
    7. sam macaree

      February 24, 2018 at 12:00 pm

      chicken arriabiata

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:09 pm

        nice

        Reply
    8. Margaret Clarkson

      February 24, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Does a Parmo count? Seriously I love Pollo alla Romana.

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:09 pm

        of course it does 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kobi Hensley

      February 24, 2018 at 5:45 pm

      Chicken potpie made with phyllo dough. I made the recipe up and my family can't get enough of it.

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:10 pm

        sounds lovely Kobi!

        Reply
    10. Natalie Crossan

      February 24, 2018 at 11:29 pm

      Chicken arrabbiata.

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:10 pm

        nice! seems to be a popular favourite here 🙂

        Reply
    11. cheryl hadfield

      February 25, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Italian chicken pesto bake

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 25, 2018 at 9:13 pm

        yum! What pesto do you use Cheryl?

        Reply
    12. Leila Benhamida

      February 26, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      I love Chicken Cacciatore, especially the flavour giving by black olives.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 05, 2018 at 11:54 am

        yep, agreed. black olives have a nice fragrance

        Reply
    13. Jayne Kelsall

      February 27, 2018 at 9:35 am

      Personally I love Chicken Parmesan, delicious with broccoli .x

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 07, 2018 at 7:57 pm

        agreed 🙂

        Reply
    14. Cassandra D

      February 27, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      Chicken Piccata Pasta.

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 07, 2018 at 8:35 pm

        haven't had that for ages

        Reply
    15. Katherine Lucas

      March 11, 2018 at 10:30 pm

      Caprese stuffed chicken

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 12, 2018 at 10:08 pm

        nice one

        Reply
    16. jberry

      March 19, 2018 at 12:20 pm

      My better 1/2s Chicken & Fettuccine Alfredo is fabulous.

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 8:51 pm

        sounds lovely

        Reply
    17. Anne Perry

      March 19, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      I've been vegetarian for 16 years. Parmesan

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 8:53 pm

        Wow, my hero! How did you get started?

        Reply
    18. Dandi D

      March 19, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      I love a good Chicken Parmesan!

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 8:53 pm

        nice!

        Reply
    19. Cynthia P

      March 20, 2018 at 3:04 am

      My favorite Italian chicken recipe is grilled on the barby with an Italian spice rub.

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 8:54 pm

        sounds really yummy

        Reply
    20. Heidi B

      March 22, 2018 at 3:21 am

      Italian Herb Bruschetta Chicken is a favorite and many others, yummy!

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 8:55 pm

        hmm.. you just made me hungry!

        Reply
    21. Wehaf

      March 25, 2018 at 5:21 am

      I love chicken piccatta.

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 9:08 pm

        me too

        Reply
    22. Ally

      March 25, 2018 at 2:37 pm

      We like a good piccatta

      Reply
      • michelle

        March 25, 2018 at 9:08 pm

        same here

        Reply
    23. Steph

      March 26, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      I like chicken Parmesan

      Reply
      • michelle

        April 06, 2018 at 7:44 pm

        me too!

        Reply
    24. Kat

      March 30, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      I don't eat much chicken anymore, but my favorite used to be Chicken Parmesan. I swap out the chicken for Eggplant now because I'm eating a plant-based diet.

      Reply
      • michelle

        April 06, 2018 at 8:24 pm

        wonderful! you inspire me!

        Reply
    25. Sharon Martin

      March 30, 2018 at 3:32 pm

      Chicken Ravioli with a mushroom sauce

      Reply
      • michelle

        April 06, 2018 at 8:26 pm

        yuuuuum

        Reply
    26. Veejay

      May 03, 2018 at 10:12 am

      Chicken Cacciatore that you have made is looking lovely and tasty. I will definitely try it ! Keep sharing such tastiest stuff...

      Reply
      • michelle

        May 07, 2018 at 7:53 pm

        thaaaanks!

        Reply
    27. Anne Marie

      July 05, 2020 at 3:34 am

      I enjoy cacciatore like yours but I always include mushrooms, preferably baby portobella's...and since onions tend to fall apart, I've used pearl onions By the time I stew it all in the crock pot awhile, the chicken thighs are usually in small tender pieces about the same size as the baby bella's and pearl onions... a touch of my favorite wine in the sauce and a loaf of sesame semolina...mmmm...color me happy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    about michelle

    Welcome to my eclectic collection of recipes from all four corners of the world. I hope to inspire you to get into the kitchen and never eat a boring meal ever again. Want to know more?

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