Chicken Cacciatore (Classic Italian Hunter-Style Chicken) 🍗🇮🇹

Chicken Cacciatore means “hunter-style chicken” in Italian. It is a comforting dish made with chicken slowly cooked in a rich sauce of tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, and vegetables. The long simmer makes the chicken tender and full of flavor.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Chicken:

• 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (or 6–8 chicken thighs/drumsticks)
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup flour (optional, for light coating)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce:

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 250 g mushrooms, sliced (optional but traditional in many versions)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 can (800 g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Fresh basil or parsley for finishing

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Lightly coat with flour if using.

The flour helps create a slightly thicker, richer sauce.

2. Brown the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep pan.
2. Add chicken pieces skin-side down.
3. Cook until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.

Don’t worry about cooking it fully yet — it will finish in the sauce.

3. Cook the Vegetables

In the same pan:

1. Add onion and peppers.
2. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add mushrooms.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

The leftover chicken flavor in the pan makes the sauce better.

4. Build the Sauce

Add:

• tomato paste
• crushed tomatoes
• wine
• chicken broth
• oregano
• thyme
• bay leaves
• chili flakes

Stir well and scrape the bottom of the pan.

5. Simmer the Chicken

1. Return chicken to the sauce.
2. Cover partially.
3. Simmer on low heat for:

45–60 minutes

until:

• chicken is tender
• sauce is thick
• flavors are developed

Stir occasionally.

6. Finish and Serve

Remove bay leaves.

Add:

• fresh basil
• parsley
• a drizzle of olive oil

Serve with:

🍝 Pasta
🥖 Crusty bread
🍚 Rice
🥔 Mashed potatoes

Tips for Better Chicken Cacciatore

Use chicken thighs if possible

They stay juicy during long cooking.

Make it ahead

The flavor is often even better the next day.

Add olives for a Mediterranean twist

Green or black olives add a salty, rich flavor.

Want a thicker sauce?

Simmer uncovered for the last 10–15 minutes.

Storage

Fridge:

• Up to 3–4 days in a sealed container

Freezer:

• Up to 3 months

Reheat gently on the stove for the best texture.

This dish is all about slow cooking, deep tomato flavor, and tender chicken — a simple recipe that tastes like it cooked all day.