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This rustic Chicken Cacciatore is everything comfort food should be—tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken baked in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, with mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, and briny olives. One pot, big flavor, and the kind of cozy dinner that basically cooks itself while you pretend you’re in the Italian countryside.

The Best Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore is one of those dishes that instantly makes me feel like I’ve got life together—even if I’m wearing pajama pants and the dogs are barking at nothing. It’s cozy, rustic, and full of flavor, but totally unfussy. One big pan, some basic ingredients, and the oven takes it from there.

This is how I make it at home—bone-in chicken that practically falls off the bone, sautéed peppers and mushrooms, a splash of red wine (some for the pot, some for me), and olives tossed in at the end because we’re fancy like that. It smells like you’ve been simmering all day, but your stove knows better.

Chicken Cacciatore isn’t complicated, but there are a few things you should know before you start tossing things into the pan. This dish is all about building flavor in layers, using simple techniques that actually matter.

🍗 Use Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken

Wings and drumsticks are perfect here. They stay juicy, they add richness to the sauce, and they handle long cooking like champs. Boneless breasts will dry out and don’t bring the same depth—save those for something faster.

🔥 Don’t Skip the Sear

Browning the chicken before it goes into the oven adds a ton of flavor. You don’t need to cook it through—just get that golden crust going. It makes a difference.

🍄 Cook the Mushrooms First

Yes, before the peppers. Mushrooms release moisture, and if you throw everything in together, they’ll steam instead of brown. I like to give them 5 minutes to cook down on their own first, then add the peppers after.

🍷 Wine or No Wine?

I use red wine because it gives the sauce depth and richness you can’t fake. But if you’re skipping alcohol, use low-sodium chicken broth and maybe a splash of balsamic vinegar to round things out.

🫒 Don’t Add the Olives Too Early

Olives go in at the end so they don’t get mushy or overpower the sauce. They’re meant to finish the dish—not take it over.

⏱️ This One’s a Slow Simmer

The oven time is where the magic happens. Give it at least 45 minutes for the chicken to fully soak in that sauce. Want it falling-off-the-bone tender? Go for the full hour.

This is a one-pan wonder, so once you’ve got everything prepped, the rest is mostly hands-off. Just build flavor in layers, pop it in the oven, and let it work its magic.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sear for about 4 minutes per side until golden. No need to cook it through—it’ll finish in the oven. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the garlic and onions to the same pan and cook for about 2 minutes until soft and fragrant. Don’t rush this step—it lays the foundation.

Toss in the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Let them release their moisture and start to brown. Then add the bell peppers and sauté for another couple of minutes just until they soften slightly.

Stir in the turmeric, oregano, bay leaves, red wine, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Bring everything to a gentle boil, scraping up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. 

Nestle the seared chicken pieces back into the sauce. Cover with a lid and transfer the whole pan to the oven. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how tender you like your chicken.

Once it’s out of the oven, top with the Kalamata olives and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve it over noodles, rice, or creamy polenta. And don’t forget the crusty bread for mopping up that sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better overnight, so don’t be surprised if it tastes even richer the next day.

Freezer:

Chicken Cacciatore freezes well—just leave the olives out if you’re making it specifically to freeze (they can go a bit mushy). Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

To Reheat:

Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.

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Originally shared Sept 17, 2013.