Description
Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect served over pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce and Liquids
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables have softened and developed flavor.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add tomato sauce and seasonings: Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and dried oregano, stirring to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer chicken: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add olives: Stir in the pitted Kalamata olives during the last 5 minutes of cooking to incorporate their briny flavor into the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving warm. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used if preferred for easier eating.
- Serve over spaghetti, polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for a hearty meal.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
