Description
Hearty Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish featuring tender, bone-in chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. This comforting and flavorful one-pot meal is perfect for family dinners and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or polenta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season and Sear Chicken: Season the chicken thighs and drumsticks with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until browned, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Garlic: In the same pan, add sliced onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Simmer Chicken: Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken Sauce and Garnish: Uncover and simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes to thicken the sauce if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, rice, or polenta for a comforting meal.
- You can use boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking.
- Add mushrooms to the sauce for extra depth and flavor.
- If skipping wine, increase chicken broth slightly for more liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
