Chicken Cacciatore
This classic Chicken Cacciatore simmers tender chicken thighs in a rich tomato, pepper, and herb sauce for an easy, authentic Italian dinner the whole family will love.
A Cozy Classic from The Italian Kitchen
There is something deeply comforting about a pot of Chicken Cacciatore simmering away on the stove. This is one of those authentic Mediterranean food recipes that feels like a warm hug on a busy weeknight, yet it is impressive enough for a Sunday dinner with guests. Tender, bone-in chicken thighs braise low and slow in a rustic tomato sauce loaded with peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs, resulting in one of the most satisfying dinner ideas Italian cooking has to offer.
If you love easy Italian recipes that deliver big flavor without fuss, this is going to become a regular in your rotation. It is proof that healthy Italian meals do not need to be complicated. Just good ingredients, a hot pan, and a little patience.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and a few quality ingredients really do make a difference here. A heavy-bottomed pan helps you get a proper sear on the chicken, and good canned tomatoes and a decent splash of dry white wine will elevate the entire sauce. These are the products that genuinely help this recipe shine:
Why This Recipe Works
Cacciatore literally translates to hunter style, and the dish traditionally uses whatever the hunter brought home, simmered with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and sometimes wine or vinegar. Searing the chicken first locks in flavor and renders the skin beautifully golden, while braising it directly in the sauce lets every bite soak up that rich, herby tomato goodness.
This version leans into classic Italian pasta recipes easy pairings too. Serve it over pappardelle, polenta, or crusty bread and you have got a complete, healthy dinner recipes Italian style meal that feels like it came straight from a trattoria.
Chef's Tip: Do not skip searing the chicken skin-side down first. That golden, crispy skin adds so much flavor to the finished sauce, and it is the difference between a good cacciatore and a great one.
Ingredient Notes
A few notes to help this dish turn out perfectly every time:
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy through the long simmer and add richness to the sauce that boneless breasts simply cannot match.
- Bell peppers: Use a mix of colors for visual appeal and a touch of natural sweetness.
- Crushed tomatoes: The base of the sauce, so reach for a good quality canned tomato if you can.
- Capers: Optional, but they add a lovely briny pop that balances the richness of the dish.
This combination makes it one of the more authentic Mediterranean food dishes you can put together on a stovetop with minimal effort.
An Easy Dinner Recipes Stovetop Favorite
What makes this recipe so beloved among easy dinner recipes stovetop options is that it is essentially a one pan meal. Everything, from searing the chicken to building the sauce to braising it all together, happens in the same pot. Less cleanup, more flavor.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step-by-step recipe:
Chicken Cacciatore
This classic Chicken Cacciatore simmers tender chicken thighs in a rich tomato, pepper, and herb sauce for an easy, authentic Italian dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided, extra virgin
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, red and yellow, sliced into strips
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, or chicken broth
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp capers, drained, optional
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instruction
Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and sear another 3 minutes. Work in batches if needed. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion and bell peppers, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic and mushrooms, cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes until the mushrooms release their liquid and start to brown.
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
Nestle the chicken thighs back into the sauce, skin-side up. Cover partially and simmer over low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Stir in the capers during the last 5 minutes of cooking, if using.
Remove the bay leaf, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
- Tongs
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Wooden spoon
Notes
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Cacciatore is wonderfully versatile at the table. Try it:
- Spooned over buttered egg noodles or pappardelle
- Ladled over creamy polenta
- Alongside crusty Italian bread to mop up the sauce
- With a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon and olive oil
It is a fantastic centerpiece for anyone exploring dinner recipes Italian style, and it pairs beautifully with a glass of the same dry white wine used in the sauce.
Storage and Reheating
This dish is a true make-ahead hero. The flavors mellow and deepen overnight, making leftovers taste even better than the first serving.
Chef's Tip: Store the chicken submerged in the sauce, rather than separately, to keep the meat moist and flavorful when reheating.
Whether you are searching for healthy dinner recipes Italian style or simply craving a comforting bowl of something homemade, this Chicken Cacciatore delivers every single time. It is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight into something worth savoring.
