What does cacciatore mean?

'Hunter's style' — a rustic braise with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and wine.

Can I use only chicken thighs?

Yes — thighs stay especially moist in the long simmer.

This recipe uses white; red makes a deeper, equally traditional version.

What do I serve with it?

Pasta, polenta, rice or crusty bread — anything that takes sauce.

Yes — it improves overnight and freezes well up to 3 months.

Chicken Cacciatore

Name: Chicken Cacciatore
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients: 1.8 kg chicken parts (4 lbs); 115 g flour (for dredging (4 oz)); 4 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 green pepper (sliced); 10 mushrooms (sliced); 1 can diced tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 120 mL white wine (4 oz); 180 mL chicken stock (6 oz); 1 bay leaf (crumbled); 1 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tbsp salt; pepper (to taste)

The hunter's-style classic: floured chicken browned and simmered with onion, green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, wine and herbs.

Yield Serves 6

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Main Ingredients Diced Tomatoes

Category Meat

Prep: 15 minutes · Cook: about 1 hour

View Products Used Explore More Meat

What Is Chicken Cacciatore?

The Italian hunter's stew — pollo alla cacciatora — where flour-dredged chicken is browned, then simmered with onion, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, white wine and herbs until fork-tender.

Why Make Chicken Cacciatore?

The definitive Italian chicken braise
One pot from browning to table
Feeds six from a single chicken
The sauce begs for pasta, polenta or bread
Even better reheated tomorrow

Unico Products Used in This Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore — Shopping List (6 servings)

Ingredients

1.8 kg chicken parts (4 lbs)
115 g flour (for dredging (4 oz))
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 green pepper (sliced)
10 mushrooms (sliced)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
120 mL white wine (4 oz)
180 mL chicken stock (6 oz)
1 bay leaf (crumbled)
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tbsp salt
pepper (to taste)

Adjust servings 6

Instructions

Dredge the chicken lightly in the flour.
Heat the oil in a large pot and cook the chicken for 7-10 minutes, until golden brown all over.
Add the onion, garlic, green pepper and mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes or more.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, stock, bay leaf, basil, salt and pepper.
Cover and simmer gently for 30-45 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
Adjust the seasoning and serve immediately.

Cooking Tips

Dredge lightly — the flour thickens the sauce as it simmers
Brown the chicken well before any vegetables go in
Keep the simmer low so the chicken stays juicy
Crumble the bay leaf for more even flavour
Skim excess fat before serving if needed

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Cacciatore

1. What does cacciatore mean?

'Hunter's style' — a rustic braise with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and wine.
2. Can I use only chicken thighs?

Yes — thighs stay especially moist in the long simmer.
3. Red wine or white?

This recipe uses white; red makes a deeper, equally traditional version.
4. What do I serve with it?

Pasta, polenta, rice or crusty bread — anything that takes sauce.
5. Can I make it ahead?

Yes — it improves overnight and freezes well up to 3 months.

Cooking Guides & Tips

How to Make a Soffritto: The Base of Italian Cooking The slow-cooked base of onion, carrot and celery that starts countless Italian dishes — what it is, how to make it, and how to use it.