Description
This Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish featuring tender chicken thighs slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, capers, and aromatic herbs. It’s a comforting one-pan meal packed with bold Mediterranean flavors—perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
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For the Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 ½ tsp salt, divided
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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For the Sauce:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
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For Garnish:
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1 tsp salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken skin-side down and sear for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.
- Flip and cook for another 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
- Season with the remaining ½ tsp salt and sauté for 7 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and rosemary sprig, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Make the Sauce
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Simmer the Chicken
- Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, spooning sauce over the top.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
5. Garnish & Serve
- Remove the rosemary sprig and sprinkle with fresh basil and parsley.
- Serve warm with pasta, rice, or crusty bread!
Notes
- Boneless Option: You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs but reduce the cooking time to 20-25 minutes.
- More Vegetables: Add green bell peppers, zucchini, or olives for extra Mediterranean flavors.
- Wine Addition: For extra depth, deglaze the pan with ½ cup red wine after sautéing the vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
