Description
Ina Garten’s chicken cacciatore recipe delivers a classic Italian-American comfort dish packed with rich, hearty flavors. Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly to create a memorable meal you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 chicken breasts (with skin and backbone, cut in half)
- ½ cup (120 ml) flour (for coating chicken)
- 2 tsps salt (plus extra as needed)
- 1 tsp black pepper (plus extra as needed)
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 big red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ¾ cup (180 ml) dry white wine
- 1 can (28 oz / 794 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- ¾ cup (180 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsps capers (drained)
- 1 ½ tsps dried oregano
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh basil, chopped roughly
Instructions
- Seasoning and Flouring: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with kosher salt, black pepper, and a delicate layer of all-purpose flour, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Searing Technique: In a heavy-bottomed skillet heated to 375°F, expertly brown chicken pieces until golden, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on a clean plate, maintaining precise cooking temperature.
- Vegetable Foundation: Within the same skillet, transform bell peppers, onions, and garlic into a fragrant base, sautéing until onions become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
- Flavor Development: Introduce dry white wine to deglaze the pan, reducing liquid by half. Incorporate crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, capers, and dried oregano, creating a robust, harmonious sauce.
- Braising Process: Submerge seared chicken pieces into the sauce, reducing heat to low. Cover and simmer until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature, allowing flavors to meld and intensify over 25-35 minutes.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer chicken to serving platter, optionally reducing sauce for enhanced thickness. Embellish with fresh basil leaves, presenting a vibrant, rustic Italian-inspired dish.
Notes
- Flour Coating Technique: Lightly dust chicken with flour for a delicate, crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and create a golden-brown crust.
- Batch Browning Strategy: Sear chicken in batches to maintain high skillet temperature, ensuring even, beautiful caramelization without overcrowding.
- Wine Flavor Concentration: Reduce white wine by half to intensify its subtle complexity and create a rich, deep flavor foundation for the sauce.
- Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly juicy meat every time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg