Delish Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore is like a warm hug from an Italian kitchen, bringing together chicken, tomatoes, bell peppers, and that irresistible magic that makes a house smell like a home. It’s a dish that embraces you with its savory, rustic charm. And let me tell you, once you savor this delight, it’s hard not to let it steal a piece of your culinary heart.

My husband can’t get enough of this dish. On chilly evenings, when comfort food is the hero we all deserve, his eyes light up when the aroma of cacciatore fills the house. There’s just something delightfully sincere about this recipe—it’s not just food; it’s a memory in the making. I remember one rainy Tuesday, he’d had a rough day at work and I made this on a whim. It turned the day right around—nothing short of a small domestic miracle!

How to Make It

Honestly, this is a dish you kinda throw together and let do its own thing. Brown the chicken (skin-side till crispy like a dream), add a garden’s worth of peppers and onions, pour in tomatoes, and let it simmer into bliss. Stir it once in a while, but don’t stress. It’s practically foolproof. If you can dump and stir, you’re golden.

✔Ingredient Notes

– Chicken Thighs: Juicier than chicken breasts, and they soak up all that saucy goodness. Don’t skip the skin-on if you can help it.
– Bell Peppers: Pick your favorite colors—life’s too short for dull dishes. I’ve used all green in a pinch, too.
– Tomatoes: Canned or fresh, both work. Just don’t skip ‘em. You kinda need them here.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Preheat a large pot and brown chicken thighs.
2. Add sliced onions and bell peppers; sauté until they soften.
3. Stir in garlic until it’s fragrant but don’t let it burn!
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and a splash of red wine if you’ve got it.
5. Simmer on low, letting the magic unfold for about 40 minutes.
6. Serve over pasta or rice whenever you’re ready to dig in.

What to Serve It With

Try ladling it over creamy polenta, or stick with the classics like spaghetti or even a crusty hunk of bread.

✔Tips & Mistakes

If you over-brown the garlic, it’s game over. Trust me. Keep an eye on it!

✔Storage Tips

Pop leftovers in the fridge for an easy-peasy next-day meal. It’s shockingly good cold—I might’ve eaten some straight from the container at midnight. No regrets.

✔Variations and Substitutions

– No wine? Use chicken broth—it’s almost criminal how forgiving this dish is.
– Swap chicken thighs for legs or breasts if you’re in the mood for something different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Chicken Cacciatore

A classic Italian chicken stew with tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, perfect for a hearty family dinner.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 cup sliced bell peppers mixed colors
• ▢ 1 cup chopped onions
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1.5 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• ▢ 0.5 cup dry white wine optional
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.
• Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over the pieces.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Serve hot with crusty bread or over pasta.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference.