Quick & Tasty Chicken Cacciatore Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Sizzling aromas of herbs and tender chicken fill the kitchen with this irresistible easy chicken cacciatore recipe that promises a classic Italian comfort meal.

Rustic and hearty, this dish brings together simple ingredients that create a symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum taste.

The combination of juicy chicken, vibrant tomatoes, and aromatic herbs makes every bite memorable.

Succulent pieces of chicken simmer in a rich, robust sauce that captures the essence of home-cooked Italian cuisine.

Each forkful transports you to a cozy trattoria with its warm, inviting flavors.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let your taste buds celebrate a timeless culinary tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 425 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Cacciatore Ingredient List

• Chicken Drumsticks: Juicy centerpiece that provides rich, hearty flavor with tender meat that falls right off the bone, selecting fresh, high-quality drumsticks ensures the best taste and texture.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrot, Celery: Flavor-building dream team that creates a robust foundation, adding depth and complexity to the sauce while providing subtle sweetness and earthy undertones.

• Fresh Thyme, Bay Leaves: Herbaceous warriors that infuse the dish with authentic Italian countryside essence, bringing a woodland-like aroma and sophisticated depth to the chicken.

• Whole Tomatoes, Water/Chicken Stock: Vibrant sauce creators that deliver tangy richness and perfect liquid balance, choose San Marzano tomatoes for an extra burst of authentic Italian flavor.

• Fresh Parsley, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Bright, zesty final flourish that elevates the entire dish, with salt and pepper acting as flavor amplifiers that harmonize all ingredients.

• Olive Oil, Avocado Oil: Silky cooking agents that help develop deep, golden flavors and ensure smooth, even cooking of ingredients.

Must-Have Tools for Chicken Cacciatore

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot: Perfect for browning chicken and creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
• Paper towels: Essential for drying chicken to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and parsley.
• Sharp chef's knife: Will help you chop vegetables quickly and precisely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and moving ingredients around the pot.
• Measuring spoons: Help you season the dish with the right amount of salt and pepper.

Cooking This Italian Classic at Home

Rustic Chicken Comfort

• Kitchen Prep Scene Gather your cooking tools and clear workspace for a delightful culinary adventure.
• Chicken Transformation Dry chicken pieces and generously season with salt and pepper for maximum flavor absorption.
• Golden Browning Technique Sizzle chicken in hot pan until edges turn crispy and rich golden brown, creating delectable caramelization.
• Vegetable Symphony Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they release their aromatic essence and become tender and fragrant.
• Sauce Creation Add tomatoes, herbs, and liquid to create a luscious base that will cradle the chicken in rich, warm flavors.
• Slow Simmer Magic Let the pot gently bubble, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex taste profiles for about 45 minutes.
• Final Flourish Sprinkle fresh herbs, let dish rest briefly, and serve this soul-warming classic that connects generations through its comforting taste.

Helpful Variations for Weeknight Simplicity

• Flavor Boosters: Swap red wine for white wine to add a lighter, more delicate taste profile to your chicken cacciatore.
• Herb Garden Twist: Experiment with different fresh herbs like rosemary or oregano instead of thyme to create unique flavor variations.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicy kick in their chicken dish.
• Veggie Play: Toss in additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to make the dish more colorful and nutritious. Slice them thinly and add during the vegetable sautéing stage for perfect texture and integration.

Serving Cacciatore with Sides

• Rustic Family Feast: Serve this hearty chicken cacciatore over a bed of creamy polenta or fluffy white rice to catch all those delicious sauce flavors.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Pour a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato and herb notes of the dish.
• Veggie Companion Delight: Add a fresh green salad with crisp arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the robust chicken cacciatore.
• Bread Soaking Magic: Offer crusty Italian bread or warm focaccia on the side so guests can soak up every last drop of the flavorful sauce.

Storing Chicken Cacciatore Correctly

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and divide portions into individual containers for quick weeknight meals. Chicken cacciatore tastes even better the next day as flavors intensify and blend perfectly.
• Flexible Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken cacciatore in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Separate chicken and sauce into separate containers before freezing. Properly sealed meals will stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Reheating Technique: Warm slowly in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore the sauce's rich consistency.

Rustic Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rustic chicken cacciatore brings hearty Italian countryside flavors to home kitchens with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation. Tender chicken simmers in rich tomato sauce, creating a comforting meal you’ll want to savor with crusty bread and good company.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) chicken drumsticks
• 0.25 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, diced (1 cup)
• 2 celery ribs, diced (1 cup)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tbsps olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can whole tomatoes
• 0.25 cup water or chicken stock
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly dry chicken pieces and generously season with salt and pepper to ensure a perfectly crisp, golden-brown exterior.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven and meticulously brown chicken segments, creating caramelized surfaces. Remove and set aside the beautifully seared pieces.
3. Aromatics: Utilize pan drippings to sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened, developing a rich flavor foundation for the sauce.
4. Building Layers: Crush whole tomatoes and add fresh thyme and bay leaves. Carefully return chicken to the vegetable mixture, creating a harmonious blend of ingredients.
5. Simmering: Pour chicken stock to partially cover the ingredients. Cover and reduce heat, allowing the cacciatore to slowly develop deep, interconnected flavors for 45 minutes.
6. Finishing: Remove herb sprigs and bay leaves. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, letting the dish rest briefly to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Dry Chicken Thoroughly: Pat chicken pieces completely dry to ensure perfect seasoning adherence and achieve a gorgeous golden-brown exterior during cooking.
• Create Caramelization Magic: Brown chicken pieces carefully without overcrowding the pan, developing rich, deep flavors through strategic searing technique.
• Build Flavor Foundation: Sauté aromatic vegetables in pan drippings to create a robust base that intensifies the overall sauce complexity and depth.
• Gentle Simmering Matters: Allow cacciatore to cook slowly and covered, letting ingredients meld together for approximately 45 minutes to develop rich, interconnected taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg