Best 7 Contest Winning Chicken Cacciatore Recipes

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Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and packed with flavor. It typically consists of chicken breasts or thighs that are browned and then simmered in a flavorful sauce made with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and herbs. The resulting dish is a tender and juicy chicken with a rich and savory sauce.

This article includes two variations of the classic chicken cacciatore recipe: one made with chicken breasts and one made with chicken thighs. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in a delicious and satisfying meal. The chicken breasts version is a bit lighter, while the chicken thighs version is more flavorful and juicy.

In addition to the two main recipes, this article also includes a recipe for a side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken cacciatore: garlic bread. The garlic bread is made with a simple combination of butter, garlic, and parsley, and it is the perfect way to soak up the flavorful sauce from the chicken cacciatore.

Whether you are looking for a classic Italian dish to impress your friends and family or a simple and easy meal for a weeknight dinner, chicken cacciatore is a great option. With its tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and easy-to-follow recipes, chicken cacciatore is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHICKEN CACCIATORE



Chicken Cacciatore image

Try Giada De Laurentiis' Chicken Cacciatore recipe, a rustic poultry-vegetable hunter's stew, from Everyday Italian on Food Network.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 chicken thighs
2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.
  • In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.
  • Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.

THE BEST CHICKEN CACCIATORE



The Best Chicken Cacciatore image

This chicken cacciatore is a real stick-to-your ribs dinner. Dark meat chicken is seared and braised in a hearty wine and tomato sauce until tender for a rustic homestyle meal. We love it as-is with maybe just a side salad, but no one would be upset if you served it on a bed of creamy polenta!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h25m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 cup olive oil
6 chicken drumsticks
6 chicken thighs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces pancetta, diced
2 small carrots, peeled and diced (about 3/4 cup)
1 celery stalk, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon oregano leaves, chopped
1 cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce can whole peeled plum tomatoes, crushed
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook the chicken until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate or baking sheet.
  • Discard the oil. Put the pot over medium heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a small plate.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the carrots, celery and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the wine and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced by about two-thirds, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and reserved pancetta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • Reduce the heat to low and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cover partially and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors come together, 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Add the chicken skin-side up to the sauce, cover and transfer the pot to the oven. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  • If necessary, skim off any fat from the surface of the sauce with a large spoon or ladle and discard. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken and top with more parsley.

CONTEST-WINNING CHICKEN CACCIATORE



Contest-Winning Chicken Cacciatore image

My husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left for cooking! It's really nice to be able to come into the house at night and smell this wonderful slow cooker chicken cacciatore. -Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up and skin removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained, or 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup white wine or water
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • Place onions in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the chicken, seasonings, tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms and wine., Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is tender. Discard bay leaf. Serve chicken with sauce over pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 73mg cholesterol, Sodium 787mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CACCIATORE CHICKEN BREASTS



Cacciatore Chicken Breasts image

JoAnn McCauley of Dubuque, Iowa shares her version of traditional Chicken Cacciatore with this easy recipe. The tasty sauce and chicken can be served over rice or noodles. If you want to lower the sodium, use garlic powder instead of garlic salt.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings
1/2 medium green pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
3/4 cup canned stewed tomatoes
2 tablespoons white wine or chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. Cook chicken over medium-high heat until juices run clear, 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside., Add the tomatoes, wine, garlic salt, rosemary and pepper to the skillet. Stir in onion mixture and heat through. Serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 calories, Fat 10g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 78mg cholesterol, Sodium 462mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHICKEN CACCIATORE



Chicken Cacciatore image

This easy chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner, since it's so simple to prepare. This recipe is the best because it's loaded with lots of vegetables and is a family favorite. -Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 to 4 pounds), cut up
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 large green pepper, cut into strips
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine or water
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
Hot cooked pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Dust chicken with flour. Season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown chicken on all sides in oil and butter over medium-high heat. Remove chicken to platter. , In the same skillet, cook and stir the onion, celery, pepper and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, herbs, garlic and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes., Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is tender. Serve over pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Cool chicken mixture. Freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 517 calories, Fat 25g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 790mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 39g protein.

CHICKEN CACCIATORE



Chicken Cacciatore image

This classic Italian dish must have hundreds of versions, all resulting in a rustic braise of chicken, aromatic vegetables and tomatoes. My version includes lots of mushrooms, both dried and fresh. You can add kale to the dish if you want to work in some leafy greens (see variation below).

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 1h45m

Yield 4 to 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 ounce dried mushrooms, like porcini (1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 to 8 skinless chicken legs and/or thighs (thighs can be boneless)
1 small onion, minced
1 small carrot, minced
3 ribs celery, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh minced Italian parsley
1 heaped teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 pound mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
1/2 cup red wine
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes in juice, pulsed in a food processor

Steps:

  • Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl or heat-proof glass measuring cup and pour on 2 cups boiling water. Let sit 15 to 30 minutes, until mushrooms are softened. Drain through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper towel and set over a bowl. Rinse the mushrooms in several changes of water, squeeze out excess water and chop coarsely. Set aside. Measure out 1 cup of the soaking liquid and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown, in batches, for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken pieces to a bowl as they are done. Pour the fat off from the pan and discard.
  • Turn the heat down to medium, add the remaining oil and the onion, carrot and celery, as well as a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt to taste. Cover, turn the heat to low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until the mixture is soft and aromatic. Stir in the fresh and dried mushrooms, turn the heat back up to medium, and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are just tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the wine and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes, until the wine has reduced by about half. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down a little and smell fragrant. Stir in the mushroom soaking liquid that you set aside.
  • Return the chicken pieces to the pan and stir so that they are well submerged in the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve with pasta or rice.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 629, UnsaturatedFat 27 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 39 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 1184 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

WEEKDAY CHICKEN CACCIATORE



Weekday Chicken Cacciatore image

Chicken cooked "cacciatore" means a dish prepared "hunter-style" with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and seasonings. We add a touch of white wine to make ours northern Italian-style. -Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 chicken leg quarters
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
SAUCE:
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium sweet red pepper, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
Fresh oregano and grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides., In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine sauce ingredients; arrange chicken over sauce. Cook, covered, on low until chicken and vegetables are tender, 4-6 hours. If desired, top with fresh oregano and grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 391 calories, Fat 23g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 849mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality chicken: A free-range or organic chicken will have a better flavor than a conventionally raised chicken.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will not brown properly and will be more likely to stew.
  • Sear the chicken before adding the sauce: This will help to lock in the juices and give the chicken a nice golden brown color.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor and color to the dish. Some good vegetables to use include bell peppers, onions, carrots, and mushrooms.
  • Simmer the chicken for at least 30 minutes: This will help to tenderize the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve over pasta, rice, or polenta: Chicken cacciatore is a delicious dish that can be served over a variety of side dishes.

Conclusion:

Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and colorful vegetables, chicken cacciatore is a surefire hit. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy weeknight meal, give chicken cacciatore a try.

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