Description
Rustic Italian chicken cacciatore brings hearty country flavors straight from Tuscany’s kitchens. Tender chicken simmered in rich tomato sauce with herbs creates a soul-warming meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2.5 pounds (1.1 kilograms) chicken drumsticks
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, diced (1 cup)
- 2 celery ribs, diced (1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 0.25 cup fresh chopped parsley
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can whole tomatoes
- 0.25 cup water or chicken stock
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Meticulously pat the chicken pieces until completely dry, ensuring optimal seasoning adherence and promoting enhanced golden-brown exterior through thorough salt and pepper coating.
- Warm olive oil in a substantial Dutch oven, creating a sizzling environment for chicken. Methodically brown chicken segments, developing rich caramelized surfaces without overcrowding the pan. Transfer beautifully seared pieces to a separate plate.
- Utilize the residual pan drippings to sauté aromatic vegetables – onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Allow these ingredients to soften and release their intricate flavors, creating a robust foundational layer for the sauce.
- Introduce whole tomatoes, gently crushing them to release their vibrant juices. Incorporate fresh thyme and bay leaves, infusing the sauce with herbaceous complexity. Carefully nestle browned chicken pieces into the vegetable mixture.
- Pour chicken stock or water, ensuring ingredients are partially submerged. Cover and reduce heat, allowing the cacciatore to gently simmer and develop deep, interconnected flavors for approximately 45 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, remove herb sprigs and bay leaves. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface, adding a bright, fresh dimension. Let the dish rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Chicken selection matters most for authentic flavor, so choose bone-in, skin-on pieces for richness and depth.
- Browning creates caramelized exterior that locks in juices and develops complex taste profile before simmering.
- Slow cooking transforms tough meat into tender, falling-apart deliciousness while infusing herbs and vegetables throughout the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg