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Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Experience the ultimate in Italian comfort food with this Chicken Cacciatore, featuring tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken in a rich, rustic sauce. This authentic Italian classic delivers a home-cooked meal that is both succulent and satisfying. It's easy to prepare and sure to be a hit with the entire family!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 6 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic about 6 cloves
  • 1 small yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper diced
  • 1 large carrot peeled and sliced
  • 10 ounces mushrooms sliced
  • ½ cup pitted black olives
  • 8 sprigs thyme
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 150 ml red wine
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 7 ounces Roma tomatoes halved
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until they achieve a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, roughly 30 seconds. Introduce the diced yellow and red bell peppers, sliced carrot, mushrooms, and herbs. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
  • Pour the red wine into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce for about 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, halved Roma tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Season with additional salt and pepper according to your taste. Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

For Stove Top:

  • Combine all the ingredients thoroughly, cover the skillet with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender and nearly falling off the bone. Add the black olives and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

For The Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the covered skillet to the oven and cook for 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, remove the lid, add the black olives, and continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes. This allows the chicken to become tender and the sauce to reduce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by adding 2 tablespoons of extra tomato paste while it's simmering.
To make ahead, prepare the chicken cacciatore up to a day in advance, then cool, cover, and refrigerate it. Rewarm it over low-medium heat when ready to serve.
To freeze, transfer the cooled cacciatore into an airtight container and place it in the freezer. On the day you plan to serve it, thaw the dish in the morning and bring it to room temperature. Transfer to a skillet or pan and reheat over low-medium heat until thoroughly warmed.