Chicken Cacciatore(Country: Italian)
Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty Italian stew featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory tomato sauce with mushrooms olives and aromatic herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 1/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 16 oz. can tomatoes ⓘ
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/4 cup water ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 2 cloves crushed garlic ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon crushed oregano leaves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Coat chicken pieces with the flour mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chicken until browned, approximately 15 minutes per side.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, sliced mushrooms, water, olives, chopped onion, crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, crushed oregano, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and bay leaf to the skillet.
- Simmer uncovered until the chicken is cooked through and flavors meld, about 20-30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding red wine to the skillet after browning the chicken. If you don't have pitted olives, green olives can be a tasty substitute. For a quicker meal, use boneless chicken thighs instead of cut-up pieces. This Chicken Cacciatore can also be made in a slow cooker for a more hands-off approach, perfect for busy evenings.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Cacciatore over a bed of pasta or alongside crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette pairs beautifully with this dish. For a heartier meal, consider serving it with garlic bread or alongside a serving of Italian recipes like Chicken Marsala With Mushrooms.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Chicken Cacciatore should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. It can also be reheated in the microwave, covered, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Cacciatore(Country: Italian) contains roughly 1660 calories, with 46g protein, 360g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (353% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (176% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2150mg per serving (93% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken for a richer flavor, or boneless, skinless pieces for a lighter option. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as boneless pieces will cook faster.
What can I substitute for the tomatoes if I don't have canned ones?
If fresh tomatoes are available, you can use about 4-5 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, chopped. Alternatively, tomato puree or crushed tomatoes can also work, but adjust the quantity to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Is there a way to make this dish spicier?
Certainly! You can add red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat, or include sliced jalapeños. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference to enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).