Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic Italian chicken cacciatore featuring bone-in chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with olives, bell peppers, and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, extra virgin olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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: 50 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly tender.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup halved pitted kalamata olives, 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Return chicken to the pan, skin-side up.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. Serve hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives?

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 Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Italian Herb-Simmered Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato and Olives?

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.

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