Classic Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic Italian chicken cacciatore simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce with bell peppers, olives, and fresh herbs, perfect for comfort food lovers. This italian-inspired chicken (mediterranean) ready in about 60 minutes pairs skin-on bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and brown on both sides for 5-6 minutes per side until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 1 large sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let it reduce for 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup halved kalamata olives, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp sea salt, and 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or polenta.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 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 Italian Herb-Simmered 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Italian Herb-Simmered 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 Italian Herb-Simmered 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 Italian Herb-Simmered 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.

Related recipes