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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
