Chicken Cacciatore – This best chicken cacciatore made in a stovetop and slow cooker consists of tender juicy chicken in a hearty sauce for a perfectly satisfying meal.
What is Chicken Cacciatore?
Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. Prepped in “hunter-style” with herbs, onions, often bell peppers, usually tomatoes, and sometimes wine.
A classic Cacciatore recipe usually consists of onions, tomatoes, garlic, and peppers and wine. Personally, I like to use mushrooms because mushrooms give me that deliciously meaty flavor.
Chicken Cacciatore – Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken. This ensures each piece gets nice golden sear, adding tons of flavor to the finished dish.
- After removing the chicken, use the wine (or broth) to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become perfectly tender and juicy.
Chicken Cacciatore – Variations
- Add chopped mushrooms, carrots, or other vegetables of your choice to the pan along with the onions and peppers.
- Swap the red bell pepper for green bell pepper, or incorporate a mix of both for a colorful presentation.
- Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs or even try this recipe with boneless pork chops or rabbit for a more authentic twist.
How to Serve This Best Chicken Cacciatore?
- It is traditionally served over a bed of pasta like egg noodles, spaghetti, or even polenta.
- You can also serve it alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
What to do with the leftovers?
- Leftover Chicken Cacciatore gets even better the next day!
- Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop and serve over your favorite rice or quinoa.
- You can also use leftover chicken to create delicious cacciatore paninis or toss it into a salad for a protein-packed lunch.
Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Chicken Cacciatore - This best chicken cacciatore made in a stovetop and slow cooker consists of tender juicy chicken in a hearty sauce for a perfectly satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 (4 pound) chicken breast/thighs, cut into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms, quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a plastic bag combine the flour, pepper, and salt. And until coated shake the chicken pieces in flour.
- In a large skillet(with cover/lid) heat the oil. Fry the chicken pieces on both sides until they are browned. Remove from skillet.
- Add the garlic, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet and saute onion until they are slightly browned. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the oregano, tomatoes, and wine. Cover and reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add the salt, pepper & mushrooms to taste. Simmer for 10 more minutes.
For Slow Cooker:
- Season both sides of your chicken with salt and pepper and place in slow cooker. Add mushrooms, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and broth, then season with red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size
8Amount Per Serving Calories 496Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 213mgSodium 526mgCarbohydrates 44gSugar 9gProtein 52g
Chicken Cacciatore – FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Bone-in chicken adds extra flavor to the sauce. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, simmering for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
What if I don’t have white wine?
No problem! You can substitute chicken broth for the white wine with no major changes to the flavor profile.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the dried oregano for a touch of heat. You can also serve the finished dish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top.
Check out my other Chicken Recipes: