Description
Italian Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic, homestyle dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and fragrant herbs. This hearty, comforting classic is perfect for cozy family dinners and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2½ pounds)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry red grape juice or non-alcoholic cooking wine
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5–7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and bell peppers to the same pan and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, mushrooms, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and red grape juice. Stir in sugar and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return chicken to the pan, nestling into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 30–35 minutes until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Remove lid and simmer an additional 5–10 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and basil before serving.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon.
- Boneless thighs may be used; reduce simmer time to about 25 minutes.
- Add olives for a Mediterranean flavor boost.
- Simmer uncovered longer if a thicker sauce is desired.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors develop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
