Welcome to my first post! I have been reluctant in choosing my first recipe. I wanted to introduce myself to you with something exotic and impressive. Chicken Cacciatore? Exotic? Well, maybe not so much (unless you pronounce it with a really thick Italian accent). Impressive? Actually, yes! This fairly simple recipe has so much flavor and it really is so delicious. I truly believe you will be impressed!
It hit me the other night, on the heels of a fairly cool October day. I wanted to prepare something hearty for my family to come home to. This is one of their favorite comfort foods. I love how tender the chicken becomes and how the many flavors come together for a perfect cool weather meal. I realized then that this represents the type of recipe I want to share with you through this blog. It is nothing complicated, it’s nutritionally healthy, and a perfect recipe for a weeknight family meal (it reheats perfectly the next day) or for entertaining on the weekend.
Buono Appetito! (Yeah, still working on that exotic factor)
Chicken Cacciatore with Soft Polenta
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, rinsed, dried and trimmed of excess fat
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 large carrot sliced
- 3-4 cloves of garlic minced
- 4-6 thinly sliced sun dried tomatoes optional
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 28 ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme stems removed
- 2 tablespoons drained and rinsed capers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Lay the chicken thighs out and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour. Shake off the excess.Using a large and heavy pot, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Sear the chicken thighs, 4 at a time, just until brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the thighs to a plate.
- Add the other tablespoon of olive oil to the pot and sauté the mushrooms until they begin to brown, then add the onion, celery, pepper and carrot. Continue sautéing until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and the sun dried tomatoes, if using. Sauté for one more minute.
- Add the white wine. Simmer and reduce for about 2 minutes.
- Now, this part is messy...but well worth it. Fish out the whole tomatoes from the can one at a time and crush them over the pot. I usually pull off any hard stem end of the tomato and discard that. Continue until you've crushed them all, then pour any of the juices left in the can into the pot as well.
- Add the chicken stock, oregano, thyme leaves, capers and the chicken pieces. Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover the pot and continue cooking for 40 to 45 minutes. Stir in the fresh basil just before serving. Serve with grated Parmesan.
- This dish is perfect over whole wheat spaghetti or a soft polenta (recipe below).
Notes
Soft Polenta
Caroline
Submitted on 2013/01/21 at 10:24 am | In reply to Anonymous.
Andrea, that is the sweetest compliment! You’ve made my whole day! Thanks so much for coming back here to tell me that. I’m so glad you and your family liked it!
Anonymous
Submitted on 2013/01/20 at 7:23 pm
I found your recipe on Pinterest and made it tonight – it was delicious! Thanks so much – it was a hit and I will definitely be making it again!
Andrea
Caroline
Submitted on 2013/01/03 at 8:33 pm | In reply to Anonymous.
Nancy, you’ve made my day! I’m always thrilled to hear when someone has made one of my recipes! So glad you liked it…that’s one of my favorites. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know. That was so sweet!
Happy New Year!
Caroline
Anonymous
Submitted on 2013/01/03 at 4:56 pm
thanks for this recipe. I made it yesterday and it was delicious. Just what I was looking for.
Nancy
Montreal, Canada
I LOVE SEEING PHOTOS OF RECIPES THAT YOU’VE MADE!
Before you take a bite, snap a photo with your phone, follow me on INSTAGRAM and tag it with #TASTELOVEANDNOURISH
I just discovered your web site. These are just the kind of recipes I love. Simple, not too many ingredients, and
really great looking. Haven’t made any yet but I am about to go into the kitchen now to try some.
I’m so glad you found the site, Jim! Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope you enjoy the recipes!
Your recipe looks really good and what caught my eye was the can of San Marzano tomatoes..they are really good, and not to acetic, ’cause they are gown in soil mixed with volcanic ash. One thing you can do is add just a bit of red pepper flakes. Good job, kiddo!
Thanks so much, Michele! I agree… San Marzano tomatoes make all the difference! Love red pepper flakes…great idea!
I’m new to this site through pinterest. I fell in love with both the images and the recipes. I’m dying to try the shaved broccoli one. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so happy you found my site and thrilled you like it! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! I hope you love that salad as much as I do! Let me know how it turns out! :)