An Italian style chicken and tomato stew that is super easy to make and packed with flavour!
Today I have a simple and tasty recipe for you, chicken cacciatore aka. Italian hunter style chicken stew. This is basically a chicken and tomato stew where the chicken is browned and set aside before cooking the vegetables, typically onions, pepper and mushrooms before the tomatoes and chicken are added and everything is simmered or braised until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is nice and tender. You can serve this chicken stew by itself, with crusty bread, over pasta or rice, etc. and no matter how you enjoy it it’s pure comfort food in a bowl!
ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 chicken thighs (bone in and skin on)
salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, diced
2 bell peppers (any colour), diced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (optional)
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes (or marinara sauce)
2 teaspoons italian seasoning (or oregano)
1/4 cup olives, pitted and coarsely chopped (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
directions
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, add the chicken (seasoned with salt and pepper) and brown, about 3-5 minutes per side, before setting aside.
Add onion, peppers and mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes and cooking until fragrant, about a minute.
Add the broth and deglaze the pan by scraping the brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon while the broth sizzles.
Add the tomatoes, herbs, chicken and olives, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-60 minutes, before seasoning with salt and pepper and enjoying over pasta or rice! (Cook longer if you have the time to bring out more flavour!)
Tip: Start cooking some pasta or rice before you start making this recipe and it will be done in time for the chicken cacciatore.
Option: Start by cooking bacon or pancetta in the pan, cook the chicken in the bacon grease and add the bacon to the pasta sauce!
Option: Replace the chicken thighs with drumsticks, legs or breasts.
Option: Use boneless and skinless chicken.
Option: Add extra veggies like diced carrots and/or celery
Option: Add a splash of white wine!
Option: Add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
Option: Add 1-2 tablespoons tomato paste.
Nutrition Facts: Calories 301, Fat 8.9g (Saturated 1.7g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 87mg, Sodium 256mg, Carbs 18.9g (Fiber 5.1g, Sugars 10.5g), Protein 38.2g
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