Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

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By: DianaPosted: 6/30/20Updated: 10/25/21

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Classic Italian Chicken Cacciatore cooked in a rich tomato sauce, with bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives. The chicken is braised until it’s fall off the bone tender, and the sauce is so fragrant that it will fill your whole house with beautiful aromas of home-cooked food. Easy family-friendly comfort meal with incredible flavors!

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (1)

What is Chicken Cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore means chicken prepared ‘hunter-style’. It’s a dish from Tuscany, Italy and it’s also very popular in the US. Chicken cacciatore is a tomato-based dish, as the chicken is first browned and then braised in either tomato sauce or marinara and vegetables. The dish is often cooked for an hour on a low simmer with dry red wine, with a mix of Italian herbs.

Serve with rustic bread, creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or spaghetti for a hearty meal that the whole family will love!

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2)

How to Make Chicken Cacciatore

It’s an easy to make meal, and all you need to do is prep the ingredients, brown the chicken, then throw everything together in a pot or skillet and slowly cook on a low simmer.

The Ingredients

For the chicken, you will need: Skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs, salt and pepper, and flour.

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And here’s what you’ll need for the sauce:

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  • The mushrooms and carrots are optional, but they add a lot to the flavor so I recommend that you add them.
  • I recommend dry red wine for chicken cacciatore, I used Merlot. But in some versions dry white wine is used, so if you prefer a milder flavor then use white wine instead of red. If you can’t/don’t want to use wine, substitute with chicken broth, unsweetened grape juice, or apple juice. It won’t have the same flavor, obviously, but it will give some flavor and help you deglaze the pan.

The Directions

This is quite simple if you follow the instructions:

  1. Season the chicken pieces and dredge in flour, then brown it and set aside.
  2. Saute the vegetables in olive oil.
  3. Deglaze with red wine and allow to reduce.
  4. Add diced tomatoes and olives.
  5. Add the chicken back in, cover, and simmer on low for 50 minutes stirring occasionally or until the chicken is cooked. Finish off with grated parmesan cheese if desired, and serve warm.
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Here’s what you’ll end up with:

  • Seriously juicy chicken infused with Mediterranean flavors.
  • The chicken isn’t fully submerged in sauce, so the skin stays nice and crispy.
  • Fall off the bone tender chicken as it’s braised on a low simmer for almost an hour.
  • Insanely delicious sauce with the best flavors ever. Herbs, mushrooms, olives, tomato, bell peppers, and juicy chicken. What’s there not to love?
  • The sauce is spicy, not too hot, just spicy enough. The red pepper flakes are optional but I love adding them to the sauce.
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What to Serve Chicken Cacciatore With

I like to keep things simple, and serve chicken cacciatore with crusty bread or breadsticks on the side. It makes a complete meal. But you can also serve it with one of these simple sides:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes
  • Garlic butter noodles
  • Plain white rice
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Zucchini noodles

Storing Tips

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

For tomato-based dishes like this, I don’t recommend using a cast iron skillet or pot because I found that cooking tomato dishes for long in cast iron results in an unpleasant metallic taste.

So I use my stainless steel pan instead. It’s a great pan and I use it all the time, plenty of surface area, cooks very evenly and I love the helper handle.

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Try this easy chicken dinner, and I’m sure you will love this recipe! It will definitely become a family favorite. Also make sure to check out my baked chicken and rice, an amazing family-friendly meal that’s made in one pan.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (8)

5 from 22 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Chicken Cacciatore

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

Classic Italian chicken cacciatore cooked in a rich tomato sauce, with bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives. The chicken is braised until it's fall off the bone tender, and the sauce is so fragrant that it will fill your whole house with beautiful aromas of home-cooked food. Easy family-friendly comfort meal with incredible flavors!

6 servings

Classic Italian chicken cacciatore cooked in a rich tomato sauce, with bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives. The chicken is braised until it's fall off the bone tender, and the sauce is so fragrant that it will fill your whole house with beautiful aromas of home-cooked food. Easy family-friendly comfort meal with incredible flavors!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 carrot sliced into ⅕ inch slices
  • 5 ounces (2 cups) 140g mushrooms sliced into ¼ inch slices
  • 6 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ cup (120ml) dry red wine See Note 4 for substitution
  • 28oz (800g) diced tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ cup black olives pitted

Instructions

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper, dredge in flour shake off any excess.

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  • In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat. And brown the chicken starting skin side down. When the chicken is golden, remove from the skillet and set aside.

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  • Saute the onion, add the carrot and mushrooms, and cook together until the onion is soft and translucent (3-4 minutes). Then add the bell peppers, garlic, and the herbs and cook for 3 more minutes.

    Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (11)

  • Add the red wine, and deglaze the pan by scraping off any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to reduce (about 2 minutes), then add the tomato paste and diced tomatoes. Add the olives, then season with salt and pepper, and add crushed red pepper flakes if using.

    Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (12)

  • Return the chicken to the skillet, cover with the lid, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 50 minutes while stirring every 15 minutes, or until the chicken has cooked through.

    Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (13)

  • Have a taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. Serve hot with bread, pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

    Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (14)

Notes:

  1. I don’t recommend using a cast-iron skillet for this dish, as I found that tomato-based dishes start getting a metallic taste if they are cooked in cast iron for long. I use my stainless steel skillet.
  2. Sometimes I add chopped celery with the carrots, so you can certainly do that.
  3. Use any type of mushrooms that you have available such as button mushrooms, chestnut/cremini/baby bella, or shiitake.
  4. If you don’t want to use wine, substitute with unsweetened grape or apple juice or chicken broth. It won’t give the same flavor as wine, but it will add flavor and help you deglaze the pan.
  5. If you’re using extra large chicken thighs, increase the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 445kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 111mg, Sodium: 908mg, Potassium: 981mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 2957IU, Vitamin C: 79mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 4mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. DENISE HURST says

    Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (21)
    I have made this recipe before and it is delicious; as a matter of fact anything Italian tastes delicious, yummy.

    Reply

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      I agree, Italian food is definitely some of the best in the world. So glad you like this recipe!

      Reply

Older Comments123

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken cacciatore sauce made of? ›

Aside from the chicken, the basic ingredients in chicken cacciatore are: onions, herbs, tomatoes and sometimes mushrooms. Some variations will call for carrots and celery, while others call for bell peppers or other vegetables. Some even flavor the tomato sauce with anchovies, which I haven't tried yet.

What is the best red wine for chicken cacciatore? ›

Some recipes call for white wine, but I love the combination of red wine with tomato sauce. I had Chianti on hand, but Merlot or Zinfandel would be nice, too. Chicken Cacciatore is a hot and hearty dish, making it a favorite for Sunday suppers in winter.

What is a substitute for red wine in chicken cacciatore? ›

If you're seeking a substitute for red wine, consider replacing one-for-one with:
  • Alcohol-free red wine.
  • Beef broth.
  • Chicken broth.
  • Red wine vinegar (use ½ vinegar and ½ water for similar flavor results)
  • Cranberry juice*
  • Pomegranate juice*
Aug 8, 2023

How do you thicken cacciatore sauce? ›

You could also add a cornstarch slurry to thicken your sauce. Remove your chicken, and whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and 1 tablespoon of your sauce. Then, stir this mixture into the slow cooker and let simmer until thickened.

What does cacciatore mean in Italian? ›

Translation of cacciatore – Italian–English dictionary

hunter [noun] a person who hunts. huntsman [noun] a hunter.

What do Italians eat with cacciatore? ›

Tender, succulent chicken pieces are cooked in this robust tomato sauce in this easy Italian classic poultry dish. Serve alongside Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or on a bed of Soft Polenta along with a sautéed green vegetable such as Broccoli Rabe Or Spinach.

Is chicken cacciatore better the next day? ›

Make Ahead, Storage, and Freezing instructions. To Make Ahead: Chicken Cacciatore can be prepared a day ahead, as the taste and flavors get stronger, and taste even better. We prepared it on Saturday afternoon, refrigerate overnight and reheated it to share on Sunday for lunch.

What is the other name the chef uses for chicken cacciatore? ›

A rustic, slow-cooked dish of tender chicken and vegetables in a hearty sauce, chicken cacciatore makes a soul-satisfying meal. Chicken Cacciatore, also known as Hunter's Chicken, is a classic Italian dish that's packed with rich, bold flavors.

What is a substitute for white wine in Chicken Cacciatore? ›

Broth. Chicken or vegetable broth is a great white wine substitute, as it adds both liquid and flavor. If using a store-bought broth, opt for low-sodium or no sodium so that you don't throw off the salt content of the dish.

What white wine goes with Chicken Cacciatore? ›

Pinot Grigio: A light and crisp Pinot Grigio can be a versatile choice. It has flavors of citrus, green apple, and pear, which can complement the flavors in chicken cacciatore without overpowering them. Viognier: If you prefer a white wine with a touch of sweetness, Viognier can be a good option.

What red wine is best for tomato pasta sauce? ›

The best red wines to use when cooking pasta sauce are Cabernets, Chianti, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Chianti is an Italian origin wine, created using Sangiovese grapes. It's affordable, and ranges in a wide variety of flavor notes like mushroom, tobacco, and cherry.

Can I skip red wine in a recipe? ›

Beef or chicken broth: This will add a rich, savory flavor to your dish, and can be a good substitute for red wine in recipes that call for it to be used as a braising liquid. Fruit juice: cranberry or grape juice work well, it will add sweetness, acidity and a similar taste to red wine.

Can I use white wine instead of red wine in chicken cacciatore? ›

Suggested white wine for chicken cacciatore. ⇢ My go-to white wine for cooking is a simple, crisp Pinot Grigio. If you'd like to try an Italian white, Verdicchio is great (similar to an unoaked Chardonnay) & Soave is one of my faves (it's similar to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio).

Can I leave red wine out of a recipe? ›

While most of the alcohol in recipes cooks off after a certain amount of time, in most cases alcohol is being used to add flavor or in some cases acidity to a dish, Epstein said. No dry red wine for that slow-braised stew? No problem. Stock or bouillon will work fine in its place.

What's the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken cacciatore? ›

Chicken parmesan uses boneless skinless chicken breasts that are pounded thin and fried crisp before they're smothered in tomato sauce and topped with cheese. Chicken cacciatore is different. It's more like a hearty stew that's made with bone-in chicken.

Why is it called chicken cacciatore? ›

The secret of how it came to be actually comes from its name; in Italian, cacciatore roughly translates to “hunter”, meaning that those who prepared this meal usually hunted the chicken themselves. In their travels, they found other ingredients to pick up along the way that eventually evolved into staples of the dish.

What does cacciatore style mean? ›

Cacciatore means hunter in Italian, and alla cacciatora translates to a 'hunter-style' meal with chicken (or rabbit), onions, tomatoes, herbs, vegetables, and usually wine or vinegar.

Which leading sauce is a sauce suprême prepared from? ›

According the Larousse Gastronomique, a seminal work of French haute cuisine, first published in 1938, suprême sauce is made from the mother sauce velouté (white stock thickened with a white roux—in the case of suprême sauce, chicken stock is usually preferred), reduced with heavy cream or crème fraîche, and then ...

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