Chicken Cacciatore


Really good Cacciatore is one of the most satisfying, delicious and comforting Italian dishes you can make at home. Great served with spaghetti or over polenta.

Ingredients

3 pounds bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs (about 8)
1 tablespoons olive oil
salt
pepper
1 large onion, finely chopped
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, do not drain
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 bay leaves
1 small Parmesan rind
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, chopped

Instructions

Heat a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil.  Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add half the chicken and cook, skin side down, until crisp and browned. Turn the pieces over and cook another 5 minutes. Remove to a plate and continue browning in small batches until all chicken is browned. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.
Add the onions, mushrooms and a pinch of salt to the pan with the reserved drippings. Cook over medium-high heat until the vegetables begin to brown and the moisture evaporates.
Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the flour and continuing cooking and stirring for 1 more minute. Add the wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, Parmesan rind, thyme, oregano and red bell pepper.

FULL RECIPE