Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter Style Chicken)

9 April 2013 - Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter Style Chicken)

Cacciatore  means "hunter" in Italian. In cuisine, alla cacciatora refers to a meal prepared "hunter-style" with onions, herbs, usually tomatoes, often bell peppers, and sometimes wine.
A basic cacciatore recipe usually begins with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil heated in a large frying pan. Chicken parts, dusted with salt and pepper, are seared in the oil for three to four minutes on each side. The chicken is removed from the pan, and most of the fat poured off. The remaining fat is used to fry the onions, peppers or other vegetables for several minutes. A small can of peeled tomatoes (drained of liquid and chopped coarsely) is typically added to the pan along with rosemary and a half cup of dry red wine. Bay leaf may be used, along with chopped carrot to give extra sweetness. The seared chicken parts are returned to the pan which is then covered. The dish is done after about an hour at a very low simmer. Cacciatore is often served with a rustic bread or pasta on the side.

The recipe is from Simply Recipe

Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter Style Chicken)
serves 4-6
 
One (1,8kg) chicken, cut into serving pieces, trimmed of excess fat 
Salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced 
1 red or green bell pepper, seeded, sliced 
225 g cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/3 cup white or red wine
 2 1/2 to 3 cups firm ripe tomatoes with their juices, peeled and chopped
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dry thyme
1 tsp dry oregano