Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Why it’s great for your cooking channel: Chicken Cacciatore is an excellent recipe for your cooking channel because it showcases classic Italian flavors and techniques in an approachable way. The dish is visually appealing with its vibrant colors and rustic presentation, making it perfect for filming. Additionally, this recipe falls under the intermediate skill level, offering a balanced challenge that can engage both novice and experienced home cooks. Viewers will appreciate learning how to create a delicious, restaurant-quality meal in their own kitchens, and the straightforward steps make it easy to follow along.
Description: Chicken Cacciatore, or “hunter’s chicken,” is a classic Italian dish that features braised chicken cooked with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a comforting dinner and pairs wonderfully with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serving size: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 chicken drumsticks (bone-in, skin-on)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs and drumsticks with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sliced bell peppers. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until the wine is reduced by half.
- Add the Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Cover and simmer over low heat until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 30 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Final Thoughts: Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty and flavorful Italian classic that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. With a preparation time of 15 minutes and a cooking time of 45 minutes, this dish serves 4 and pairs wonderfully with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread. It’s a great addition to your cooking channel, offering viewers a chance to master a delicious and visually stunning meal.
