Easy Chicken Cacciatore
Italian food was on the table often when I was growing up. This was a go-to recipe in our home. With two older brothers with very big appetites, it was an inexpensive, yet satisfying meal. Easy Chicken Cacciatore is now one of my family’s favorite meals, too. Serve it with pasta or rice and a side salad. Delizioso!
What is Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish prepared with chicken, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes and herbs. The chicken is braised so it becomes tender and will fall off the bone. It is packed with flavor and served over rice. Cacciatore originally was made with rabbit, but now features chicken pieces in a rich, rustic tomato sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Easy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
What’s needed?
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 10 button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
- 4 large pieces of chicken, white or dark meat
- 22-ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- grated parmesan cheese
How to make Chicken Cacciatore?
- Put the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, mushrooms and green peppers and sauté for 2 or 3 minutes. Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Sear each piece of chicken until brown on each side.
- I omitted the green peppers this time at the request of my youngest son. So, I threw in some chopped parsley for color. When the chicken is browned, add the crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low.
- Add the oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Stir in the sugar, as this will help to cut the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Continue to simmer uncovered over low heat for about 35 or 40 minutes. The sauce will thicken and the chicken will become tender. While the chicken is cooking, cook some rice or your favorite pasta and a side dish. I made rigatoni and some roasted Brussel sprouts. (I know, my son will eat Brussel sprouts but not green peppers? I don’t try to figure it out, I just go with it.)
This meal is inexpensive and easy to make…and don’t forget, it is oh, so tasty! Remember to sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese over your pasta before serving. This recipe makes 4 servings.