Chicken, Italian, Main

Authentic Chicken Cacciatore

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Chicken Cacciatore is one of the most satisfying, delicious and comforting Italian dishes you can make at home.  My mom made if for us when we were kids, and I remember traveling up to Old North Denver to what is now known as “The Highlands” to eat at Pagliacci’s.  Although they closed after 66 years in 2012, the memory of that great dish is still in my head, and on my taste-buds.  

Flavorful, rich, earthy and hearty are just a few of the characteristics that come to mind when describing this rustic dish. Often served with spaghetti or over polenta, there’s no way you won’t love this amazing braised skillet chicken.

I’ve been making Chicken Cacciatore for more years, trying to bring together my memories of home and from Pagliacci’s, but this latest version is by far the best I’ve ever had.

Chicken Cacciatore

Servings

6

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 
Total time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs (about 8)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • salt

  • pepper

  • 1 large onion finely chopped

  • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic minced

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional - more or less to taste)

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 14.5 ounce canned diced tomatoes do not drain

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 3 bay leaves

  • 1 small Parmesan rind

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 large red bell pepper ribs and seeds removed, chopped

Directions

  • Heat a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add half the chicken and cook, skin side down, until crisp and browned. Turn the pieces over and cook another 5 minutes. Remove to a plate and continue browning in small batches until all chicken is browned. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.
  • Add the onions, mushrooms and a pinch of salt to the pan with the reserved drippings. Cook over medium-high heat until the vegetables begin to brown and the moisture evaporates.
  • Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the flour and continuing cooking and stirring for 1 more minute. Add the wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, Parmesan rind, thyme, oregano and red bell pepper.
  • Remove the skin from the chicken and discard. Add the skinless chicken pieces to the pan, pressing them down into the sauce so they are covered. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the chicken is tender, about 40-45 minutes. Halfway through cooking, move the chicken pieces around and/or turn them over to ensure even cooking.
  • Remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind and discard. Check seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley leaves. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti or polenta.

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