Chicken Cacciatore

Submitted by Carol in Oz

"This is absolutely DELICIOUS and so easy to make. Maximum flavour with minimum effort. Authentic tasting and impressive enough to serve to company. Chicken thighs can be used if you want. Reheats really well too!"

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib, coarsely chopped
• 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• garlic, minced
• salt and pepper
• 1⁄4 cup spanish sliced black olives
• 1⁄4 cup parsley, chopped

directions

1. Chop bacon into small pieces and cook until crisp. Drain and set aside.
2. Saute onions and garlic until soft in leftover bacon grease, add mushrooms, carrots and celery until lightly browned, set aside.
3. Add more oil if required to hot non-stick pan and brown chicken on all sides being sure to season with salt and pepper.
4. Place chicken, veggies and bacon in a large stockpot with a lid.
5. Mix spaghetti sauce with Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar. DO NOT be tempted to leave these 2 ingredients out, they are CRUCIAL to the taste! Pour over chicken and veggies ensuring everything is well coated.
6. Add olives and stir through.
7. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. This can also be baked covered in the oven for 35-40 min at 375.
9. Serve with hot crusty bread for dipping in the sauce and a crisp, tangy side salad.

Reviews

[lmw70]

I have been trying to master a recipe for my chicken cacciatore loving hubby for 3 years. This is the first one I have tried that he adores, even gobbling down the olives (which he claims to dislike!) Leftovers are wonderful too! Carol, thanks for a fantastic recipe!

 

[RSL]

This was WAY easier than I anticipated after just a cursory glance at the directions. I left out the bacon because I thought I had it and discovered I didn't, and I left out the olives because nobody here likes them. Otherwise I made just as directed and served over pasta. Next time I'll chop the celery a little finer (I did about 1/2 inch slices) because that was kind of crunchy and I wanted it tender, but other than that - my 3 year old ate it and my 1 year old had 2 plates full. Enough said, this is a keeper.

 

[lisa6682]

This was really good and really easy! I made it with bone in chicken b/c thats what I had on hand. I look forward to making this again and again!

 

[dabucks]

So easy for such a good dish. I made mine without the bacon (not because I'm a health freak, I just forgot to get it) and it was fantastic, my family raved about it. If you are reading this review, just stop and make this recipe already. It's well worth it. Thanks!!!