Classic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe: Your Ultimate Guide to an Easy & Flavorful Italian Dinner
This Classic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is a culinary delight, brimming with tender chicken and fresh vegetables simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce. It’s an easy-to-make, comforting, and wonderfully healthy dinner that your entire family will absolutely adore, promising a taste of Italy right in your own kitchen!
Life can often feel like a never-ending sprint, with daily to-do lists stretching a mile long. Between work, family commitments, errands, and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed, perhaps even staring blankly at your computer screen, wishing for a moment of calm. We all have those days when the sheer thought of preparing a complex meal feels daunting, especially when a busy week or an upcoming trip is looming.
For me, that feeling often hits before a major trip. The whirlwind of packing, organizing childcare, managing laundry, and fitting in all the last-minute errands can be exhausting. On such days, the idea of stepping into the kitchen to whip up an elaborate dinner is the absolute last thing on my mind. Yet, I also love ensuring my family has nourishing, home-cooked meals, even when I’m away. This is precisely where a fantastic, easy chicken cacciatore recipe becomes a lifesaver.
Imagine having a delicious, hearty meal ready to go, one that not only saves time but also delights everyone at the dinner table. This Classic Chicken Cacciatore recipe is exactly that. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish, offering a wonderful solution for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or simply when you want to enjoy a flavorful, healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Its versatility and delicious taste make it a go-to for many, and for good reason!
What is Chicken Cacciatore? Unpacking This Italian Classic
Chicken Cacciatore, meaning “hunter’s style chicken” in Italian, is a rustic, flavorful dish that originated in Italy. Traditionally, it features chicken braised with a medley of vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and often mushrooms, along with herbs, typically in a rich tomato-based sauce. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved through slow simmering. It’s a true representation of Italian comfort food – hearty, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying. While there are regional variations across Italy, with some versions including red wine or white wine, and others sticking strictly to a tomato base, the core concept remains the same: tender chicken and vibrant vegetables cooked to perfection in a delectable sauce.
Why Our Easy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe is a Family Favorite
This particular Chicken Cacciatore recipe stands out for several compelling reasons, making it an ideal choice for any home cook looking for a reliable, delicious, and healthy meal:
1. Effortless Preparation for Busy Lives
Despite its rich flavor, the preparation for this Italian chicken dinner is surprisingly straightforward. While it does involve some basic vegetable chopping, the bulk of the cooking happens as everything simmers together on the stovetop. This makes it perfect for those hectic days when you need a delicious meal without constant oversight. Brown the chicken, sauté the aromatics, add the sauce ingredients, and let the magic happen. It’s an easy chicken cacciatore that fits seamlessly into a busy schedule.
2. A Healthy & Wholesome Meal
Packed with lean protein from the chicken and a generous serving of fresh vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, this recipe is inherently healthy. The tomato-based sauce is rich in antioxidants, and by using olive oil, you’re incorporating healthy fats. It’s a well-balanced meal that contributes to a nutritious diet, ensuring you feel good about what you’re serving your family.
3. Universally Loved: Even by Picky Eaters
One of the biggest triumphs of this recipe is its appeal to all ages. The rich, slightly sweet tomato sauce and tender chicken are flavors that typically resonate with children and adults alike. Even my own boys, who can be selective about their vegetables, happily devour this dish. The vegetables become soft and infused with flavor, making them much more palatable for those who might typically shy away from them. It truly is a family-friendly dinner idea.
4. Impressive Enough for Guests, Simple Enough for Weeknights
This Chicken Cacciatore has that wonderful quality of feeling special and gourmet, yet it requires minimal fuss. If you have company coming over and want to impress them with a hearty, authentic-tasting Italian meal, this recipe is an excellent choice. Its vibrant colors and inviting aroma will make any dinner gathering feel elegant, without the stress of a complicated cooking process.
5. Fantastic for Leftovers and Meal Prep
This recipe yields a generous amount, which is perfect for leftovers. In fact, like many braised dishes, Chicken Cacciatore often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. This makes it an excellent candidate for meal prepping. Cook a large batch on a Sunday, and you’ll have delicious, healthy meals ready to reheat throughout the week, significantly easing the dinner burden on busy evenings.
6. Incredible Versatility with Serving Options
Whether you prefer a bed of classic spaghetti noodles, creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even crusty bread to soak up all that wonderful sauce, Chicken Cacciatore is incredibly versatile. Each serving option offers a slightly different experience, allowing you to tailor the meal to your preference or what you have on hand. My boys, for instance, are particularly fond of it served over mashed potatoes!
This Classic Chicken Cacciatore recipe is genuinely one you won’t want to overlook. It brings together ease, health, and incredible flavor in one magnificent pot, making it a must-try for your next family dinner.
Key Ingredients and Potential Variations for Your Chicken Cacciatore
The beauty of a classic dish like Chicken Cacciatore lies in its adaptable nature. While our recipe provides a fantastic foundation, understanding the role of each ingredient and exploring variations can elevate your cooking experience.
Choosing Your Chicken
Our recipe calls for chicken cutlets or chicken breasts cut into smaller pieces, which cooks quickly and remains tender. For a richer, more traditional flavor, you could opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks. These cuts tend to stay moister and impart more depth to the sauce, though they will require a longer simmering time. Adjust cooking times accordingly if you choose different cuts.
The Aromatics: Onions and Garlic
These are the foundational flavors of almost any savory Italian dish. Diced onion and minced garlic create a fragrant base for the sauce. Don’t rush sautéing them; allowing them to soften and become aromatic is key to building flavor. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added along with the garlic.
Vibrant Vegetables
Green bell pepper and fresh mushrooms are stars in this cacciatore. You can easily diversify the vegetable content by adding other colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), zucchini, or even carrots for added sweetness and nutrition. Sliced or quartered cremini (button) mushrooms work wonderfully, but feel free to experiment with wild mushrooms for a more earthy flavor.
The Heart of the Sauce: Tomatoes and Broth
A can of diced tomatoes (undrained) provides the robust tomato base. For an even richer sauce, you could use crushed tomatoes or add a tablespoon of tomato paste when sautéing the vegetables to deepen the umami flavor. Chicken broth thins the sauce slightly and adds another layer of savory liquid. If you prefer a more complex flavor profile, a splash of red or white wine (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) can be added before the broth and allowed to reduce, lending a wonderful acidity and aroma.
Essential Seasoning: Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning is a convenient blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, which are perfect for this dish. Fresh herbs, such as chopped fresh parsley or basil, stirred in at the end of cooking, can provide a bright, fresh finish and aroma.
Tips for Perfecting Your Homemade Chicken Cacciatore
Achieving a truly delicious Chicken Cacciatore goes beyond just following the steps. Here are a few tips to ensure your dish is spectacular every time:
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When browning the chicken, work in batches if necessary. Crowding the pan can steam the chicken instead of browning it, preventing that crucial golden crust and flavor development.
- Scrape Up the Fond: After browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables, you’ll notice browned bits sticking to the bottom of the pan (the “fond”). When you add the broth and tomatoes, use a wooden spoon to scrape these bits up. This fond is packed with flavor and will enrich your sauce significantly.
- Low and Slow Simmer: The “cacciatore” style benefits from a gentle simmer. This allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully. Avoid boiling vigorously, as this can toughen the chicken and reduce the sauce too quickly.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sauce before and after simmering. Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning can be adjusted to your preference. A pinch of sugar can also help balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed.
- Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil just before serving not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish.
Chicken Cacciatore
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Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs. chicken cutlets or chicken breasts cut into smaller pieces
- salt & pepper
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil divided
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms sliced or quartered
- 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- mashed potatoes or noodles to serve with
Instructions
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In a dutch oven (or heavy pan), heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat.
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Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in hot pan. Brown chicken on both sides. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.
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Pour remaining tablespoon of olive oil in dutch oven and add in onion, garlic and bell pepper. Stir until fairly tender, being careful not to burn the garlic.
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Pour in tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are almost tender. Taste and season as needed. Add in browned chicken and juices.
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Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes on medium-low heat, until all vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through and very tender.
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Serve on plates with spaghetti noodles or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Serving Your Delicious Chicken Cacciatore
Once your Chicken Cacciatore has simmered to perfection, and the chicken is incredibly tender, it’s time to serve! As mentioned, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a traditional Italian experience, serve it over al dente spaghetti or tagliatelle. The noodles are excellent for soaking up every drop of that flavorful tomato sauce. If you’re looking for a heartier, comforting option, creamy mashed potatoes are an absolute dream – the velvety potatoes beautifully complement the rustic sauce. Polenta, rice, or even a simple side of crusty bread for dipping are also fantastic choices. A fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette makes for a perfect accompaniment, adding a crisp contrast to the rich main dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips
One of the best qualities of this chicken cacciatore recipe is how well it stores and reheats. Allow any leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. Microwave reheating is also an option for individual portions, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
If you liked this recipe, you might like these too:
Caprese Balsamic Chicken
Skinny Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
Chicken Teriyaki Bowls
Other Chicken Cacciatore recipes from friends:
- Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore by Family Fresh Meals
- Low Carb Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs by i Breathe I’m Hungry
- Easy Baked Chicken Cacciatore by The Kitchen is My Playground