Patrick Oconnell
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish that typically features chicken, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. The chicken is usually browned before being simmered in a rich sauce with vegetables. While the classic recipe does not include cheese, some variations call for sprinkling Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top before serving. The dish is often served with pasta, polenta, rice, or bread. Leftovers can be used in various recipes, such as stuffed peppers or pizza, which may also include cheese.
Characteristics and their values:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Rustic Italian Chicken Stew |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, wine, herbs, and spices |
| Side Dish | Hot cooked pasta, polenta, mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower rice, crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or a light side salad |
| Chicken Type | Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or a mix of favorite pieces |
| Cheese | Parmesan, mozzarella, or provolone |
| Cooking Method | Stovetop, slow cooker, or oven-baked |
| Leftovers | Can be used for stuffed shells, baked subs, stuffed peppers, or pizza |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish
Chicken cacciatore is usually served over hot cooked pasta, such as egg noodles, linguine, or spaghetti. However, it can also be served with polenta, mashed potatoes, rice, or cauliflower rice. The dish is often garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or basil and sometimes sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.
Leftover chicken cacciatore can be used in a variety of recipes, such as stuffed peppers, baked subs, or pizza. For example, leftover chicken can be mixed with rice and stuffed into bell peppers, topped with cheese, and baked. Alternatively, leftover chicken can be mixed with sauce and stuffed into sub rolls or spread onto a pizza crust, topped with cheese, and baked until melted.
While the basic ingredients of chicken cacciatore remain consistent, the dish is versatile, and many variations exist. Some recipes call for additional vegetables like carrots or chopped vegetables, while others suggest flavouring the tomato sauce with anchovies. Ultimately, chicken cacciatore is a rustic and satisfying Italian dish that can be customised to personal preferences and is perfect for a comforting family dinner.
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It's made with chicken, vegetables, and herbs
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish typically made with chicken, vegetables, and herbs. It is a hearty and flavourful one-pot meal that can be easily adapted to use whatever ingredients you have on hand. The name "cacciatore" translates to "hunter" in Italian, reflecting the dish's rustic, hunter-style origins.
At its core, chicken cacciatore is a braised chicken dish cooked with onions, herbs, and tomatoes. The chicken is typically left on the bone, with the skin on or removed according to preference, and is often cut into pieces. Common additions to the basic recipe include bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and various spices. The dish is usually cooked in a tomato-based sauce, with wine sometimes added for extra depth of flavour.
To prepare the dish, the chicken is usually browned in oil or butter and then set aside while the vegetables are cooked. The chicken is then returned to the pot, along with the tomatoes and other ingredients, and simmered until tender. This slow-cooking process allows the flavours to meld and the chicken to become fall-apart tender.
Chicken cacciatore is typically served with pasta, polenta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce. It can also be served with roasted vegetables or a light side salad. While cheese is not a traditional ingredient in chicken cacciatore, some recipes suggest sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top or adding cheese to leftover dishes such as stuffed peppers or pizza.
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You can add cheese to chicken cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish that typically includes chicken, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. While the classic recipe does not include cheese, there are many ways to incorporate cheese into this dish, and it is a common addition.
One way to add cheese to your chicken cacciatore is to sprinkle grated Parmesan on top of the finished dish. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a salty, nutty flavour that can enhance the other ingredients in the dish. You can also use Parmesan cheese in the breading for the chicken. To do this, combine flour, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan in a plastic bag, add the chicken pieces, and shake until coated. Then, cook the chicken according to your preferred method.
Another option for including cheese in chicken cacciatore is to make stuffed peppers. First, cut open and clean out some sweet bell peppers. Then, chop up leftover chicken cacciatore and mix it with cooked rice in a 1:1 ratio. Next, stuff the mixture into the peppers, place them in a baking dish, and pour chicken broth into the bottom of the dish. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, remove the foil, add cheese to the top, and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. You can use mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of the two for this recipe.
If you have a lot of leftover chicken cacciatore, you can also make stuffed shells or baked subs. For the shells, chop up the leftover chicken and mix it with your sauce. Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture into precooked large pasta shells, cover with your favourite marinara sauce, top with mozzarella, and bake until heated through. For the subs, cut open some sub rolls, spread butter on each side, sprinkle with garlic powder and salt, and broil on low until golden brown. Then, add slices of chicken cacciatore, spoon on some sauce, sprinkle with mozzarella and/or Parmesan, and bake until heated through.
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Parmesan is a popular choice
Chicken cacciatore is a hearty dish, full of flavour and comfort. The addition of Parmesan cheese is a great way to add a salty, savoury note to the dish, enhancing the other ingredients. Parmesan has a strong, distinctive flavour that can elevate the dish, adding a sharp tanginess and a creamy texture when it melts.
The recipe for chicken cacciatore varies from cook to cook, but it often includes onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil. The chicken is usually browned first, then simmered in the sauce until tender.
When serving chicken cacciatore, a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese can be added on top. This can be done in addition to, or instead of, other garnishes such as fresh parsley or basil. The cheese adds a layer of complexity to the dish, making it even more indulgent and satisfying.
Leftover chicken cacciatore can also be used to create new dishes, such as stuffed peppers or baked subs, and Parmesan cheese is a popular choice for these recipes too. For example, when making stuffed peppers, cooks often mix leftover chicken cacciatore with rice, stuff it into peppers, and top it with cheese before baking. Similarly, for baked subs, slices of chicken cacciatore are piled onto a roll, covered in sauce, and sprinkled with Parmesan before being baked until heated through.
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It can be cooked in a slow cooker or oven
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish that can be cooked in a slow cooker or oven. The name translates to "hunter" in Italian, reflecting its roots as a hunter-style dish using readily available ingredients such as chicken, rabbit, herbs, and vegetables.
To cook chicken cacciatore in a slow cooker, first brown the chicken in extra virgin olive oil. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker and add onions, celery, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs, then pour in wine and crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 4 hours. This method yields tender chicken in a rich tomato sauce.
For oven-baked chicken cacciatore, a similar process is followed. Start by browning the chicken in a pan with olive oil and butter, then transfer it to a baking dish. Add the vegetables and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cover the dish and bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes. Increase the temperature to 375°F and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to achieve a golden colour and crispy skin.
Chicken cacciatore is typically served with pasta, polenta, rice, or mashed potatoes. It can be garnished with Parmesan cheese, parsley, or basil, adding a creamy or herbaceous touch to the dish.
Leftovers can be transformed into new creations, such as stuffed peppers, baked subs, or pizza, often incorporating additional cheese, such as mozzarella or provolone.
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Frequently asked questions
It's up to you! While some recipes call for grated Parmesan to be sprinkled on top, others suggest serving chicken cacciatore with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, rice, or cauliflower rice, which don't include cheese.
Chicken cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish, meaning "hunter" in Italian. It's a hearty, comforting one-pot meal made with chicken, onions, herbs, tomatoes, and sometimes mushrooms and other vegetables.
Chicken thighs are a popular choice for chicken cacciatore because they're tender, juicy, and flavorful. However, you can also use a mix of your favorite chicken pieces, such as legs, breasts, or a whole cut-up chicken. Just be sure to leave the skin on for extra flavor.
First, brown the chicken in extra virgin olive oil and transfer it to the slow cooker. Add vegetables, herbs, and spices, then pour in wine and crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve over pasta, polenta, or rice.
