Real Chicken Cacciatore
A hearty Italian chicken stew with mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs, slow-cooked to achieve deep, authentic flavors. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, diced mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 450g chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 150g diced mushrooms
- 200g diced tomatoes
- 100g diced carrots
- 75g diced celery
- 100g diced onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 100ml dry white wine
- 200ml chicken stock
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 450g chicken thighs dry and season with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then brown chicken thighs for 4 minutes per side until golden, removing them from the pot.
- Step 3: Sauté 100g diced onion, 75g diced celery, and 3 minced garlic cloves until softened (5 minutes).
- Step 4: Add 150g diced mushrooms and cook until golden (4 minutes), then pour in 100ml dry white wine to deglaze the pot.
- Step 5: Stir in 200g diced tomatoes, 100g diced carrots, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, then add 200ml chicken stock.
- Step 6: Return chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 7: Remove chicken, skim excess fat from the sauce, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Step 8: Return chicken to the pot, heat through, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Real 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 Real 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Real 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 Real Chicken Cacciatore for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Real 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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better chicken dishes though.
