Herb-Infused Chicken Cacciatore
Discover the joys of homemade Italian comfort food with this Herb-Infused Chicken Cacciatore. Marinated chicken legs and thighs are first seared to perfection and then gently cooked alongside a medley of fresh vegetables, all in a robust tomato and herb sauce that is elevated by the sweet notes of red wine. This dish is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing the fragrant herbs and tender chicken to shine, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy weekend dinners, this recipe guarantees chicken so tender it will fall off the bone, complemented beautifully with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil. Serve it over fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious sauce, and savor a taste of Italy in your own kitchen!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken Legs
6 (bone-in, skin removed if desired)
Chicken Thighs
4 (bone-in, skin removed if desired)
Olive Oil
1/2 cup (for browning and cooking)
All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (for coating)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Zucchini
1 large (diced)
Garlic
5-6 cloves (crushed)
Fresh Mushrooms
8 ounces (quartered)
Canned Tomatoes
28 ounces (crushed or diced)
Fresh Basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
Dry Red Wine
1/4 cup (to enhance flavor)
Bay Leaves
2-3 (for seasoning)
Italian Herbs
2 tablespoons (mixed herbs blend)
Parmesan Cheese
1 cup (grated, for topping)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine salt, pepper, and flour together. Dredge the chicken in this mixture until well coated.
3
Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add some chopped onion, crushed garlic, and a few whole basil leaves to the oil. Once fragrant, brown the chicken pieces on all sides, which should take about 5-8 minutes, ensuring all sides are golden.
4
Once browned, transfer the chicken to a large oven-proof casserole dish and let drain on paper towels. Add more oil as necessary during this step.
5
In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil, followed by the onions and half of the garlic. Sauté until softened, then add the diced zucchini and quartered mushrooms for a brief moment until they just begin to soften.
6
Pour the vegetable mixture over the browned chicken in the casserole dish, evenly spreading it out.
7
In the same skillet, add the remaining garlic, the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian herbs, and red wine. Allow to simmer for about 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors together.
8
Pour this tomato and herb sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring everything is covered. Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
9
Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
10
Remove the lid and sprinkle the top with chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken.
11
Serve hot, over a bed of fluffy white rice, with additional sauce ladled on top for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Infused Chicken Cacciatore?
It is a traditional Italian comfort dish featuring chicken legs and thighs braised in a rich tomato and herb sauce with vegetables.
Which chicken cuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 chicken legs and 4 chicken thighs, preferably bone-in.
How is the chicken prepared before browning?
The chicken is dredged in a mixture of salt, pepper, and all-purpose flour until well coated.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
How long should I brown the chicken in the skillet?
Brown the chicken pieces for approximately 5-8 minutes until all sides are golden.
What kind of oil is recommended?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of olive oil for both browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables.
Which vegetables are included in this Cacciatore?
The dish includes one large onion, one large diced zucchini, and 8 ounces of quartered fresh mushrooms.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 5-6 cloves of crushed garlic for the recipe.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
Use 28 ounces of canned crushed or diced tomatoes for the sauce base.
Is wine used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of dry red wine is added to the sauce to enhance the flavor.
Which herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses fresh basil, 2-3 bay leaves, and 2 tablespoons of an Italian herbs blend.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
Allow the tomato and herb sauce to simmer in the skillet for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
Do I need to cover the casserole dish?
Yes, cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil during the initial 45 minutes of baking.
How long is the total baking time?
The dish bakes for about 45 minutes covered, plus an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered, totaling around an hour.
When do I add the Parmesan cheese?
Sprinkle 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the dish after the initial 45 minutes of baking.
What is the purpose of the final 15-20 minutes of baking?
Baking uncovered at the end allows the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken properly.
What should I serve with Chicken Cacciatore?
It is traditionally served hot over a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up the sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
Can I remove the chicken skin?
Yes, you can remove the skin from the legs and thighs if desired before cooking.
How are the mushrooms prepared?
The 8 ounces of fresh mushrooms should be quartered before being added to the skillet.
What is the first step in the skillet?
Heat oil and add chopped onion, crushed garlic, and whole basil leaves until they become fragrant.
What do I do with the chicken after browning?
Transfer the browned chicken to a large oven-proof casserole dish and let it drain on paper towels briefly.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is designed with simplicity in mind, making it an easy recipe for family meals.
What does 'dredge' mean in this context?
Dredging means to lightly coat the moist chicken pieces in the flour and spice mixture.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
While canned tomatoes are specified for consistency, fresh crushed tomatoes can be used if you have enough volume.
What kind of flour should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of standard all-purpose flour.
Should the zucchini be peeled?
The recipe does not require peeling; simply dice the large zucchini.
When is the fresh basil added?
Basil is added both during the browning process and as a fresh topping before the final bake.
Is the chicken bone-in or boneless?
The recipe specifically uses bone-in chicken legs and thighs for more tender results.
What makes the chicken 'fall off the bone'?
The slow-braising process in the oven inside a tomato and wine sauce ensures the meat becomes extremely tender.