Chicken Cacciatore

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Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian chicken dish made with bell peppers and mushrooms simmered in tomato sauce.

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore

It’s great over pasta, polenta or mashed potatoes. This is the version my Mom always made for us when I was a child, which I’ve always loved. I modified Mom’s recipe to make it a bit leaner by removing the chicken skin and fat and using less oil. For more ways to cook this delicious dish, try my Instant Pot and slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipes.

Chicken Cacciatore over pasta

What does cacciatore mean?

“Cacciatore” means hunter in Italian, and alla cacciatora translates to a  ‘hunter-style’ meal. So pollo alla cacciatora translates to chicken cacciatore. It’s a hearty tomato-based stew with chicken (sometimes rabbit), onion, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Ingredients for Chicken Cacciatore

  • Chicken: Use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks, skin removed. Chicken breast on the bone will also work.
  • Vegetables: Red bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, cloves garlic and crushed tomatoes.
  • Chicken broth to thin the sauce.
  • Dried and fresh herbs: oregano, parsley, basil, salt and black pepper.
  • Pasta: Enjoy this over your favorite shape of wheat or gluten-free pasta.

How to Cook Chicken Cacciatore

This easy chicken recipe can be broken down into a few steps. It does take some time to cook, but most of the time is hands-off while the sauce simmers.

  1. Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and brown in the pan for a few minutes.
  2. Vegetables: Add in the bell pepper, onion, and garlic and sauté until the onions are tender. Then add in the mushrooms and cook for a couple of minutes. Season the veggies with salt and pepper.
  3. Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, broth, and oregano, cover the pan, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer for 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Herbs: Sprinkle in the fresh basil five minutes before the sauce is done.
A Pot of Chicken Cacciatore

What goes good with chicken cacciatore?

You can serve chicken cacciatore over your favorite type of pasta, rice, or polenta. For a low-carb alternative, try it over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.

I like to top my cacciatore with some good grated parmesan cheese or pecorino romano with a hearty piece of bread to soak up the sauce. You could also serve it with a salad or roasted veggies on the side.

Variations:

  • If you don’t like mushrooms add celery and carrots.
  • Use baby bellas or white button mushrooms.
  • Swap the chicken broth for dry white wine or red wine.
  • Olives or capers can be added for flavor.
  • If you prefer white meat, you can use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs.
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, for spice.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Pasta with chicken sauce.

More Italian Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

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Chicken Cacciatore

4.74 from 23 votes
7
Cals:288
Protein:22.5
Carbs:43
Fat:4.5
Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian chicken dish made with bell peppers and mushrooms simmered in tomato sauce.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Chicken Cacciatore
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 thigh, 3/4 cup sauce, 1 cup pasta

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs, (or on the bone) skinned and trimmed
  • olive oil spray
  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped mushrooms
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, I love Tuttorosso
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth, more if needed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil leaves
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 cups cooked whole wheat pasta, egg noodles or gluten-free pasta

Instructions

  • Season chicken with kosher salt and pepper.
  • In a large heavy saute pan, heat the pan over a medium-high flame and spray with cooking oil.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside.
  • Add the peppers, onion and garlic to the pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 3-4 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the tomatoes, chicken, broth, and oregano. Cover the bring the sauce to a simmer.
  • Continue simmering over low heat until the chicken is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes.
  • Add the chopped basil 5 minutes before sauce is done.
  • Serve over 1 cup cooked pasta.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

Chicken Cacciatore Variations:
  • If you don’t like mushrooms, use extra bell pepper.
  • Use baby bellas or white button mushrooms.
  • Swap the chicken broth for dry white wine.
  • If you prefer white meat, you can use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 thigh, 3/4 cup sauce, 1 cup pasta, Calories: 288 kcal, Carbohydrates: 43 g, Protein: 22.5 g, Fat: 4.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 65 mg, Sodium: 379 mg, Fiber: 7.5 g, Sugar: 7.5 g

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