Chicken Cacciatore
Pollo alla Cacciatora
Hunter's-style chicken braised with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and white wine until fall-off-the-bone tender. This rustic one-pot dish is naturally high in protein, full of vegetables, and makes excellent leftovers — exactly the kind of meal that rewards batch cooking.
Time
60m
Servings
4
Difficulty
easy
Budget
$$
The Story
Cacciatore means 'hunter' in Italian, and the dish originally used whatever game a hunter brought home — rabbit, pheasant, or wild fowl — cooked with foraged mushrooms and whatever vegetables were available. The chicken version became standard as poultry farming expanded. Regional variations abound: Florentine versions emphasise tomatoes and olives, while northern versions might use mushrooms and white wine without tomatoes.
✓Healthy Swaps & Tips
- • Removing the skin before cooking cuts saturated fat significantly while the sauce keeps the meat moist.
- • Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta for a lower-carb option.
- • Add mushrooms with the peppers for extra umami and B vitamins.
Ingredients
- 8bone-in chicken thighsskin removed
- 2bell pepperssliced (red and yellow)
- 400gcanned crushed tomatoes
- 1 largeonionsliced
- 4 clovesgarlicsliced
- 60gblack olivespitted
- 1 tbspcapers
- 120mldry white wine
- 1 tspdried oregano
- 2 tbspolive oil
- for garnishfresh basil
- to tastesalt and pepper
Instructions
Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and oregano.
Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides (about 4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, sauté onion and peppers for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Pour in wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add tomatoes, olives, and capers. Return chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce.
Cover and simmer on low for 35–40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
Garnish with fresh basil and serve with crusty bread or over polenta.
Common Questions
Can I use chicken breast instead?
You can, but thighs stay moister during the long braise. If using breast, reduce the simmer time to 25 minutes and check for dryness.
Does cacciatore freeze well?
Excellently. Cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months. The flavours actually improve after freezing and reheating.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated values based on standard ingredients.
Nutrition info is provided as a general guide. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.
