Chicken Cacciatore

Why do they call it chicken cacciatore?

The name Cacciatore actually means “hunter” in Italian. This classic Italian dish was first made with game meat such as rabbit before being popularly served with chicken.

This dish was most likely named after the hunters who would go out into the woods and come back with their prey to cook over an open fire. The smell of the rabbit cooking in the tomato sauce would lure everyone in for dinner.

In current times, most chicken cacciatore recipes call for chicken rather than a rabbit.

How to make the Best Chicken Cacciatore – Overview

You can find the full recipe details, including ingredient amounts and the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but first, here's a quick overview of how to make homemade chicken cacciatore from scratch!

Simmer this Italian-inspired chicken dish for a tasty family meal – our Chicken Cacciatore recipe! Start by drying the chicken with paper towel, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Brown the chicken in a large pan over medium heat, then set aside. Saute onions and bell peppers, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Once the pan is deglazed with wine, stir in mushrooms, olives, and spices to bring out the flavors.

Pour in broth, balsamic vinegar, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and sauce before returning the chicken pieces to the pan and simmering all together. Letting the sauce simmer for a while will allow the flavors to develop more. Finish off with capers and chopped fresh basil leaves before serving over pasta with parsley and parmesan. Enjoy!

Alternative Cooking Methods

Get ready to try a new take on classic chicken cacciatore! Below, we'll explore a few different ways you can make this traditional Italian dish – from pressure cooker or instant pot, and slow cooker. Get creative in the kitchen and enjoy a flavorful meal with your favorite cooking method!

How to Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Slow Cooker

Turn your slow cooker into an Italian Restaurant with this delicious easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe!

Start by blotting the chicken dry with paper towel and seasoning with kosher salt and pepper. In a large pan, brown the chicken skin side down for about 5 minutes. Transfer to your slow cooker.

Into the same pan, sauté onions for about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes more until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with wine, then transfer to the slow cooker, then place on top of the chicken. To the slow cooker, add mushrooms, bell pepper slices, olives, dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Pour in chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and sauce before pouring it all into the slow cooker with the chicken.

Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Finish off with capers and fresh basil before serving over pasta with parsley and parmesan cheese as garnish. Enjoy!

Do you put olives in chicken cacciatore?

Olives are not traditionally used in chicken cacciatore but their flavor fits the meal. If you want to add them, do so at the end of cooking.

What wine goes in chicken cacciatore?
Is chicken cacciatore better with red or white wine?

Personally, I think that chicken cacciatore is best made with red wine. The bold flavors of the wine complement the rich tomato sauce perfectly. Plus, chicken and red wine just seem to go together!

If you're not a fan of red wine, though, dry white wine can also work well in this dish. It will add a bit of brightness and acidity to the sauce which can be quite pleasing. Just be sure to use good quality white wine, as cheaper wines can make the sauce taste sour.

What can I use instead of red wine in chicken cacciatore?

You can substitute red wine in chicken cacciatore with a variety of liquids such as white wine, broth, red wine vinegar, or even apple cider. When substituting, use the same amount that is called for in the recipe. Additionally, you can add certain herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your dish. If you choose to swap out the red wine for something else, you may want to add a bit more salt or adjust the other ingredients to make sure it still has great flavor.

What cuts of chicken are best to use when making Chicken Cacciatore?
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

When it comes to chicken cacciatore, bone-in skin on chicken thighs are the best cut to use. They have a richer flavor and they take on all the flavors of the sauce as they cook.

Other cuts such as drumsticks or wings can also be used but make sure that your pieces are the same size so that the cooking time is consistent. Additionally, you can use boneless skinless thighs for an even richer flavor than chicken breasts. Boneless thighs will still give you richer flavor, without any bones to worry about.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are also a great option as they will cook quickly and you don’t need to worry about dealing with bones. Please keep in mind that if you do choose to use chicken breast, it'll be less flavorful than when you use thighs.

Recipe Variations/Substitutions:

Vegetables: In addition to the traditional bell peppers and mushrooms used in this recipe, you can also try adding chopped zucchini or carrots for a nice touch.

Tomatoes: Instead of the crushed canned tomatoes/diced tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce the recipe calls, you can use fresh tomato if you like. Keep in mind that you'll likely need A LOT of fresh tomatoes to equal the amount from the canned ones used in this recipe. I haven't tried using only fresh tomatoes for this recipe YET, but when I do, I'll be sure to report back just how many tomatoes it takes!

If you use fresh tomatoes and it works out for you please let me know in the comments section below!

Olives: You can use any kind of olive in this recipe, but i would recommend using wither black olives or kalamata olives.

Thicker Sauce: If you'd like a thicker sauce for your chicken cacciatore, you can try simmering the sauce for longer so it reduces down more.

What is chicken cacciatore traditionally served with?

Since Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian, you could say that traditionally, cacciatore is consumed on a hunt outdoors, right from the pan where it was cooked with possibly just some dipping bread. Alas, to most of us non-hunters in the modern day, a bed of pasta is probably the most “traditional Italian” way of having cacciatore. Pasta noodles work well, with egg noodles such as tagliatelle being an excellent choice.

Cacciatore also serves well alongside a creamy polenta dish.

Risotto, or just plain rice, both serve well with cacciatore as well as mashed potatoes or buttered potatoes.

Serve chicken cacciatore with steamed vegetables or with zucchini noodles makes for a healthy alternative.

The tomato based red sauce that is cacciatore pairs super, super well with red wines including Pinot Noir, Chianti, Lambrusco or Beaujolais.

What pasta goes with cacciatore?

The great thing about chicken cacciatore is that it pairs well with a variety of different pasta shapes and sizes. Whether you're in the mood for something long and twirly like spaghetti, or something short and stubby like penne, there's a pasta out there that will complement your dish perfectly.

My favorite to use is tagliatelle – The extra width and substantial thickness of the tagliatelle noodles make them a perfect vessel for scooping up all that delicious sauce.

How to store Leftovers;
How long is cacciatore good for?

Cacciatore is a dish that is meant to be enjoyed soon after it is made. However, if you have leftovers, they will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Be sure to reheat thoroughly before eating.

Can I freeze chicken cacciatore?

When sealed in an airtight container, chicken cacciatore will last in the freezer for 3-4 months. When you're ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop.