Name: Recipe "Chicken Cacciatore"
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 6 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on); kosher salt and black pepper; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 1 carrot (chopped); 1 red bell pepper (chopped); 8 oz cremini mushrooms (sliced); 6 cloves garlic (minced); 0.75 cup dry red wine; 28 oz crushed fire roasted tomatoes; 0.5 cup pitted black olives or kalamata olives; 2 tbsp capers; 1 tsp dried oregano; 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 0.25 cup fresh basil (chopped); fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese (garnish)

Keep exploring with Chicken Pesto Tortellini and Lasagna Soup.

What Makes This Chicken Cacciatore So Special

Chicken Cacciatore, also known as hunter’s chicken, is a rustic Italian chicken recipe that comes together in a single pot. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmer in a rich tomato sauce with cremini mushrooms, bell pepper, and a briny pop from olives and capers. It’s the kind of meal that makes your whole house smell amazing while it cooks, and it’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

Why This One-Pot Chicken Dinner Works

The sauce gets deep, layered flavor from dry red wine and fire-roasted tomatoes, balanced by tangy capers and salty olives.
Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender during the simmer, and the skin crisps up nicely when seared first.
Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is quick, perfect for a busy family favorite meal.

Key Ingredients for This Rustic Italian Chicken Recipe

Chicken thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs stay moist during the long simmer and add richness to the sauce. You can substitute boneless skinless, but reduce the cook time slightly and expect less flavor from the skin.
Red wine: A dry red like Chianti or Merlot adds depth. If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth works as a substitute.
Capers: These little briny buds provide a pop of acidity that balances the rich tomato sauce. Don’t skip them, they’re key to the dish’s character.

Essential Tools for Easy Chicken Cacciatore

A Dutch oven or large heavy pot with a lid
Tongs for turning the chicken and pasta
Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the sauce

Tips for Perfect Chicken Cacciatore Every Time

For the best sear, pat the chicken thighs completely dry and don’t crowd the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes so the skin gets golden and crisp. After flipping, cook another 5 minutes before setting aside. The vegetables should be softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. When you add the wine, let it reduce by half, about 3 minutes, to concentrate the flavor. Return the chicken to the pan, nestle it into the sauce, and simmer on medium-low for 20 to 25 minutes. The sauce will thicken and the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 5 minutes of simmering.

Ways to Change Up This Chicken Cacciatore

If you’d rather use chicken breasts, go ahead, just reduce the simmer time to about 15 minutes and check for doneness early, as breasts cook faster and can dry out. For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with hearty mushrooms like portobello or a block of firm tofu, and use vegetable broth instead of wine. You can also swap the red wine for white wine or even chicken broth for a milder sauce. If you love heat, add an extra pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a minced fresh chili.

What to Serve with Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is traditionally served over pasta, but it’s also great with polenta, mashed potatoes, or rice. For a lighter option, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. A simple green salad and crusty bread for sopping up the sauce round out the meal nicely. For a full spread, start with bruschetta and serve with roasted green beans or a simple arugula salad.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Cacciatore

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, so it’s great for meal prep.

Can You Freeze Chicken Cacciatore?

Yes! Let the dish cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating using the oven method for best texture.

Best Ways to Reheat Chicken Cacciatore

For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, until heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes. The microwave works too, but the chicken may dry out slightly. If using the microwave, cover the dish and reheat in 1-minute intervals, stirring the sauce midway.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Cacciatore

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but adjust the cook time. Chicken breasts may dry out more quickly, so simmer for about 15 minutes and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Is the wine necessary?

Not at all. You can substitute chicken broth or white wine. The wine adds depth, but the dish will still be delicious without it.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Sear the chicken and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

What if I don’t have fire-roasted tomatoes?

Use regular crushed tomatoes instead. The flavor won’t be quite as smoky, but it will still taste great. You can add a pinch of smoked paprika to mimic the fire-roasted taste.

Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore- a rustic Italian chicken dish made with onion, garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This easy one pot meal is a family favorite meal!

easyGluten-Free

10 min

Prep Time

40 min

Cook Time

50 min

Total Time

Servings

Dinner

Course

Italian

Cuisine

167 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
kosher salt and black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced

0.75 cup dry red wine
28 oz crushed fire roasted tomatoes
0.5 cup pitted black olives or kalamata olives
2 tbsp capers
1 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese, garnish

Instructions

1
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs into the hot pan, skin side down, and sear for 3 to 5 minutes, without disturbing. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3
Add the onion, carrot, red pepper, and mushrooms to the pan and sauté for 5 or until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4
Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, olives, capers, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.
5
Use tongs to return the chicken thighs to the pan, making sure they are covered in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook on medium-low for 20 to 25 minutes or until the sauce has thickened

Nutrition (per serving)

167kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein13%22 kcal

Fat62%107 kcal

Carbohydrates25%42 kcal

How this was calculated — 16 of 16 ingredients matched

chicken thighsChicken, skin (drumsticks and thighs), raw26 kcal

kosher salt and black pepperPepper, banana, raw0 kcal

olive oilOil, corn, peanut, and olive398 kcal

onionOnions, raw0 kcal

carrotCarrots, raw0 kcal

red bell pepperPepper, banana, raw0 kcal

cremini mushroomsMushroom, white, exposed to ultraviolet light, raw50 kcal

garlicGarlic, raw45 kcal

dry red wineVinegar, red wine34 kcal

crushed fire roasted tomatoesTomatoes, red, ripe, canned, packed in tomato juice127 kcal

pitted black olives or kalamata olivesOlive loaf, pork282 kcal

capersCapers, canned7 kcal

dried oreganoSpices, oregano, dried13 kcal

crushed red pepper flakesPepper, banana, raw1 kcal

fresh basilBasil, fresh14 kcal

fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheeseCheese, caraway4 kcal

Serving size ≈ 251 g · 6 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

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Keyword: gluten-free, nut-free, spicy

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