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Chicken Cacciatore


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  • Author: sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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