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Rustic Italian Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Rustic Italian Chicken Cacciatore Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Chicken Cacciatore delivers a speedy Italian classic right to your dinner table, packed with rustic flavors that make weeknight cooking a breeze. Tender chicken simmered in a zesty tomato sauce brings authentic Italian comfort straight to your kitchen without complicated steps.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 3 bell peppers (assorted colors)
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup marinated olives (green and black)
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon basil
  • 1 tablespoon parsley
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon thyme

Liquids and Seasonings:

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 28 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Season 1 lb chicken thighs with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Dust each piece with ¾ cup flour, tapping off excess.
  2. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a skillet at medium-high temperature (375°F). Sear chicken thighs 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  3. Transfer chicken to a plate. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Saute 1 diced medium yellow onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds. Toss in 3 sliced bell peppers, 8 oz quartered mushrooms, and ½ cup marinated olives.
  5. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and ½ tsp red pepper flakes over vegetables. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
  6. Pour 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes into skillet, crushing with your hands. Add 1 tbsp each of oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme, plus 1 tsp rosemary.
  7. Simmer sauce 2-3 minutes. Nestle seared chicken pieces into sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
  8. Cover skillet and transfer to preheated 350°F oven. Bake 45 minutes until chicken becomes fork-tender.
  9. Remove from oven and rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving alongside pasta or crusty bread.

Notes

  • Always pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear without excess moisture.
  • Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, which help keep the meat juicy during baking.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour when dredging the chicken.
  • Make this dish ahead of time by preparing it completely and reheating gently – the flavors actually improve after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 54 minutes
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 308 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg