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.

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  • 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 the best wine to use in chicken cacciatore? ›

Chicken Cacciatore is basically braised chicken cooked in onions, garlic, peppers, red wine and tomatoes. 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.

What is best to serve with chicken cacciatore? ›

Complementary Pairings for Chicken Cacciatore
  • Garlic Bread: A side of warm, buttery garlic bread is perfect for absorbing any of the remaining tomato sauce. ...
  • Caesar Salad: Freshen up the palate and complement the richness of the chicken cacciatore with a Caesar salad.

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

Is chicken cacciatore better the second day? ›

PRO Tip: Like many stews, this comforting chicken cacciatore is a dish that is better on the second day. Cook as directed, then cool and transfer the cacciatore to an airtight container and hold it overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently the following day.

What wine is best for Italian tomato sauce? ›

Tomato-based sauces are powerfully tasting and highly acid – and are often blended with rich, red meats. Because of the acidity in tomatoes, a relatively tart red wine with middle-weight body (like a Pinot Noir) is your best option.

What is the best cooking wine for sauce? ›

To give your sauce a deep, robust flavor, use an earthy, peppery red wine such as Syrah, especially sauces that feature beef. For a brighter red sauce, use a tart, medium-bodied red such as a Chianti to highlight the acidity in the tomatoes.

What is cacciatore sauce made of? ›

What is cacciatore sauce made of? Chicken Cacciatore sauce is a full-flavoured sauce using simple ingredients. Onion and garlic are sautéed in oil in the same skillet with bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms and herbs. I love using brown mushrooms in this cacciatore.

How long does cooked chicken cacciatore last in the fridge? ›

To make the recipe ahead, let the chicken cool to room temperature and then store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours if necessary, and then reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot.

Can I skip red wine in a recipe? ›

If you don't have a bottle of red wine around or don't want to buy one as a non-wine drinker, don't let it deter you from making that slow cooked beef stew. You can find many of the same characteristics in red wine vinegar, pomegranate juice, or even a good stock.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine? ›

However, balsamic vinegar has a richer and more complex flavor, and it is less acidic. Most vinegar has a tartness, but both red wine and balsamic vinegar are balanced with sweetness, making one a suitable substitute for the other in equal amounts. What's more, the flavor distinctions are not very noticeable.

Can you substitute chicken broth for wine? ›

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 is usually served with chicken cacciatore? ›

Chicken Cacciatore is often served with a rustic bread, pasta, rice, my Easy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes are great wth it too or even some creamy polenta. It is one of those chicken dishes that go with just about anything.

Why does chicken taste weird the next day? ›

The flavor is variously described as "rancid," "stale," and like "cardboard," and even compared to "damp dog hair." Warmed-over flavor is caused by the oxidative decomposition of lipids (fatty substances) in the meat into chemicals (short-chain aldehydes or ketones) which have an unpleasant taste or odor.

Can you eat 2 day off chicken? ›

Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days. To detect if chicken has gone bad, check the “best if used by” date and look for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color. Avoid eating spoiled chicken, as it can cause food poisoning — even if you cook it thoroughly.

Which wine is best for chicken? ›

A simple roasted chicken, for example, pairs equally well with a full-flavored red, a medium-bodied rosé, or a dry white. Also, an oaked Chardonnay or a Pinot Noir will be great. If you have a dark, savory gravy, go for a medium-bodied red like a Côtes du Rhône.

What wine to use to cook with? ›

Generally, dry red and white wines are recommended for savory dishes. Whether cooking with red or white wine, avoid oaky wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay), as these become bitter when cooked. Save sweet wines, such as Sauternes, Moscato or sweet Riesling, for dessert recipes such as poached pears.

What is the best Italian wine for meat sauce? ›

Let's take a look at some wines that will go best with spaghetti and meatballs.
  • Chianti. This is a favorite of Italian red wine lovers. ...
  • Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape that is grown in many parts of the world. ...
  • Merlot. ...
  • Cabernet Franc. ...
  • Pinot Noir. ...
  • Nero d'Avola. ...
  • Barolo. ...
  • Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Mar 5, 2023

What wine for Italian cooking? ›

Chianti: One of the most well-liked wines to mix with Italian cuisine is undoubtedly Chianti. It is thought to have been produced in the Chianti region of central Tuscany as early as the 14th century—a dry red wine with high tannins, a potent flavor, and earthy notes.

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