Classic Chicken Cacciatore
A comforting Italian stew of tender chicken simmered with tomatoes, mushrooms, and herbs, served over creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying family meal. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on (2 lbs) chicken thighs, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on (2 lbs) chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup mushrooms
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry, then season with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes, flip, and cook 3 more minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot, cooking 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup white wine and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping the pot bottom to release browned bits. Add 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, and the chicken thighs. Simmer covered for 30 minutes on low heat.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, cooking uncovered 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Discard skin from chicken before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Chicken Cacciatore take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic Chicken Cacciatore?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Chicken Cacciatore?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Chicken Cacciatore for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Chicken Cacciatore?
Italian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
