Chicken Cacciatore: A Hunter's Delight
Chicken cacciatore, a rustic Italian classic, is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy night in. This recipe focuses on building rich layers of flavor through slow cooking and a blend of aromatic vegetables and herbs. It's surprisingly easy to make and yields incredibly tender chicken with a deeply satisfying sauce. Let's dive in!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 4-6 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs are preferred for their moisture and flavor.
- 1 tbsp olive oil – Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste.
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced – Button mushrooms can be substituted.
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes – San Marzano tomatoes are ideal but any good quality crushed tomatoes will work.
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
-
Sear the Chicken: Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. This step helps develop a richer flavor. Set the browned chicken aside.
-
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until slightly tender.
-
Build the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
-
Simmer the Chicken: Return the browned chicken to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. The longer it simmers, the more intense the flavor becomes.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot over pasta, polenta, or rice. A crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce!
Tips for the Best Chicken Cacciatore:
- Don't overcrowd the pot when browning the chicken. This will ensure that the chicken browns properly instead of steaming.
- Use quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the dish will taste.
- Simmer slowly. This allows the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender.
- Taste and adjust seasonings throughout the cooking process.
- Make it ahead! Chicken cacciatore tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead meal.
Keywords: chicken cacciatore recipe, easy chicken cacciatore, italian chicken recipe, slow cooker chicken cacciatore, hunter's chicken recipe, hearty chicken recipe, comfort food recipe
This recipe is optimized for search engines by incorporating relevant keywords naturally within the text. The use of headings, bold text, and a clear, step-by-step format enhances readability and user experience, further boosting SEO. Remember to share your culinary creations on social media using relevant hashtags to amplify your online presence!
