Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter Style Chicken)

Chicken cacciatore is an Italian dish of chicken braised in a tomato-based sauce and often includes wild mushrooms. It is frequently referred to as “hunter style” as the word cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian.

Why “hunter” style? One story is that if a hunter came home empty-handed, his wife would kill a chicken for the meal instead.

When I first experimented with this recipe, I made it without mushrooms or bell peppers, which are often included in chicken cacciatore. Since then, I’ve come to enjoy the dish with mushrooms and bell peppers so have updated the recipe to reflect those additions.

If you prefer it without one or both of these ingredients, please feel free to leave them out. Many people also add green olives or capers which would be great additions as well.

Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter Style Chicken) Recipe

This recipe calls for added wine, which is traditional. It does add to the flavor. If you have a dietary restriction that prohibits wine, just omit.

Ingredients

• One 4 pound chicken, cut into serving pieces, trimmed of excess fat (or 3 1/2 to 4 pounds of chicken thighs, bone in, skin on)
• Salt
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced root to tip, about 1 1/2 cups
• 1 red or green bell pepper, seeded, sliced into 1/4-inch wide slices
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup white or red wine
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups peeled and chopped, firm ripe tomatoes, with their juices,  or 1 28 ounce can of plum tomatoes in their juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dry thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)

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