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Chicken Cacciatore with Pasta

Chicken Cacciatore with Pasta
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Chicken Cacciatore with Pasta is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, seared chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs. Served over perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe is easy to prepare, family-friendly, and customizable for various dietary preferences, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Vegetables

  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth or white wine

Herbs & Spices

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or pappardelle)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside to lock in flavors and maintain a crispy exterior.
  2. Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, add diced onions, bell peppers, and sliced mushrooms. Cook for about 6 minutes until the vegetables soften and develop color. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth or white wine. Sprinkle dried oregano and basil, stir to combine, and bring the sauce to a simmer.
  3. Simmer the Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, allowing it to absorb the rich flavors of the sauce.
  4. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken simmers, cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a bit of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if necessary.
  5. Combine and Serve: Serve the cooked chicken thighs atop the pasta. Spoon generous amounts of sauce over the dish and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a fresh finish.

Notes

  • Brown the chicken well: Enhances depth of flavor.
  • Use bone-in chicken thighs: Ensures juiciness and richness.
  • Simmer gently: Helps flavors meld perfectly.
  • Don’t overcook pasta: Keeps the pasta firm and flavorful.
  • Reserve pasta water: Useful for loosening the sauce and adding starch.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Cacciatore, Italian chicken recipe, pasta dinner, weeknight meal, easy chicken dinner, gluten-free chicken dinner

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/chicken-cacciatore-with-pasta/