Emily Johnson
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish with hundreds of variations, all resulting in a rustic braise of chicken, vegetables, and tomatoes. While the ingredients may vary, one common ingredient is mushrooms. In fact, cacciatore means hunter in Italian, and mushrooms are easily available to hunters trekking through forests. This dish typically includes chicken braised in a mushroom and tomato broth, often with herbs and other vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and garlic. It is a hearty and comforting meal, perfect for a rustic dinner and can be served with rice, pasta, or polenta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms | Fresh, dried, or porcini |
| Other Vegetables | Onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, kale |
| Meat | Chicken, rabbit |
| Sauce | Tomato-based |
| Wine | Red or white |
| Garnish | Parsley, basil |
| Sides | Pasta, polenta, rice, egg noodles, bread |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Cacciatore recipes vary
Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic, hearty dish that is perfect for a comforting, fall-apart tender meal. It can be made stovetop or in a crockpot, and the chicken can be bone-in or boneless, with a combination of thighs, legs, or breasts. The basic ingredients are chicken, onions, herbs, and tomatoes, but the beauty of Chicken Cacciatore is that it can be adapted to use whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Some recipes call for browning the chicken in flour, salt, and pepper before adding it to the sauce. Others suggest seasoning the chicken with just salt and pepper. The vegetables are typically cooked over medium heat until softened, and then the herbs and spices are added. The wine is added next, followed by the tomatoes, and finally, the chicken is nestled into the sauce to simmer until cooked through.
The dish can be garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or basil and served with crusty bread for a complete meal. Chicken Cacciatore is a classic, comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in, and with so many variations, you can make it your own.
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Mushrooms are optional
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish with hundreds of variations. The name "cacciatore" means "hunter" in Italian, and the dish is a rustic braise of chicken, aromatic vegetables, and tomatoes. While the basic ingredients of chicken cacciatore are onions, herbs, and tomatoes, mushrooms are often included as well. However, mushrooms are entirely optional, and some recipes may omit them or substitute other vegetables.
The use of mushrooms in chicken cacciatore can vary depending on personal preference and the availability of ingredients. Some recipes call for fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms, or a combination of both. Common mushroom varieties used in chicken cacciatore include button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and porcini mushrooms.
When including mushrooms in chicken cacciatore, they are typically sautéed or cooked until browned before adding other ingredients. Mushrooms add a savory, earthy flavor to the dish and contribute to its hearty and rustic character. They complement the other ingredients, such as chicken, tomatoes, onions, and herbs, creating a rich and flavorful stew.
However, it's important to note that mushrooms are not a mandatory component of chicken cacciatore. Some people may prefer to omit mushrooms due to personal taste preferences, dietary restrictions, or simply because they are not readily available. In such cases, alternative vegetables can be used in their place or the recipe can be adjusted to focus on the other core ingredients.
Ultimately, the inclusion of mushrooms in chicken cacciatore is a matter of choice. Whether you decide to include them or not, chicken cacciatore remains a versatile and comforting dish that can be customized to suit individual tastes and ingredient availability.
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Chicken Cacciatore is a hunter's dish
Chicken cacciatore is a hunters' dish, with cacciatore literally translating to hunter in Italian. This rustic dish typically includes mushrooms, herbs, onions, and tomatoes—all ingredients that would be easily available to hunters trekking through forests.
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish with hundreds of variations, but all result in a rustic braise of chicken, aromatic vegetables, and tomatoes. The dish is typically made with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces such as thighs, legs, or breasts. The chicken is first coated in flour, salt, and pepper, then browned in oil before being set aside. Mushrooms are then added to the pan and cooked until browned, followed by onions, garlic, and other vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Wine is added to the pan and reduced, before tomatoes and herbs are stirred in. The chicken is then returned to the pan and simmered until tender.
The dish is typically served over hot pasta or polenta, although it can also be served with rice or egg noodles. Chicken cacciatore is a comforting, rustic dish that is perfect for cooler months. It can be made stovetop or in a crockpot, and the sauce can be frozen for up to three months.
The use of mushrooms, herbs, and other readily available ingredients in chicken cacciatore reflects its nature as a hunters' dish. It is a hearty and rustic meal that can be easily adapted to suit the ingredients on hand, true to hunter-style cooking. Almost every household has its own version of chicken cacciatore, and the dish can be tailored to include various vegetables, such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, or even kale.
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It's a classic Italian dish
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish with hundreds of versions, but all resulting in a rustic braise of chicken, vegetables, and tomatoes. "Cacciatore" translates to
Chicken cacciatore is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for a rustic meal. The chicken is typically braised or seared and then simmered in a tomato-based sauce with the vegetables and mushrooms. The dish can be made in a stovetop pot, a slow cooker, or an oven, and is often served with pasta, polenta, rice, or crusty bread.
To make chicken cacciatore, the chicken is usually first browned in oil or flour and then set aside. The vegetables, including the mushrooms, are then cooked until softened, and herbs and spices are added. Wine is often included and simmered until reduced, and then tomatoes and their juices are added. The chicken is then returned to the pot and simmered until cooked through and tender. The dish is typically garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a cozy, rustic meal. With its hearty and savory flavors, it's a comforting dish that can be easily adapted to use whatever ingredients you have on hand, making it a versatile and delicious option for any home cook.
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Chicken Cacciatore is best served with polenta
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish with hundreds of versions, all resulting in a rustic braise of chicken, vegetables, and tomatoes. While it is traditionally served with pasta or crusty bread, some argue that it is best served with polenta.
Chicken Cacciatore, or "hunter-style chicken", is a comforting one-pot meal. The basic ingredients are chicken, onions, herbs, and tomatoes, with mushrooms, bell peppers, and other vegetables sometimes included. The chicken is braised in a rich, fragrant tomato sauce, often with wine, and always with a variety of vegetables.
The dish is typically served with pasta, as in the traditional Italian recipe, or with crusty bread. However, polenta is another classic Italian side dish that pairs well with Chicken Cacciatore. Polenta is a type of cornmeal porridge that can be baked or cooked on the stovetop. It has a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour.
To serve Chicken Cacciatore with polenta, simply divide the polenta between plates, arrange the chicken on top, and spoon the sauce and vegetables over the chicken and polenta. You can also add a scoop of polenta to a bowl and top it with the sauce and chicken. For an extra touch of flavour, you can make your polenta with chicken broth and add some butter and Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Cacciatore with polenta is a hearty and rustic dish that combines the flavours of Italy with a creamy, comforting side dish. The polenta complements the rich tomato sauce and tender chicken, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, chicken cacciatore typically includes mushrooms. However, as with any dish, there are many variations, and some recipes may omit them.
Aside from chicken, basic ingredients include onions, herbs, and tomatoes. Some recipes also include vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian, and the dish is meant to be cooked in a rustic, hunter-style with ingredients that would be readily available to hunters, such as mushrooms and herbs.
