Chicken Cacciatore is a hunter's stew. This is definitely one of my Go-To recipes. It is perfect for cold autumn or winter nights. It is definitely a heartier dish with the addition of Italian sausages. We had it one night and had it again for leftovers another weeknight.
4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet
4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet
1 T avocado oil
1 T unsalted butter
1 T unsalted butter
4 bone-in chicken pieces of your choice (I cut large chicken breasts in half
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 to 10 small white or cremini mushrooms, wiped clean, trimmed and cut in half
1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
8 to 10 small white or cremini mushrooms, wiped clean, trimmed and cut in half
1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ cup dry red wine
1 28-oz can whole peeled Italian tomatoes, hand crushed
2 T tomato paste
2 T tomato paste
1 T minced fresh rosemary leaves
½ t freeze-dried oregano or chopped fresh oregano
½ t freeze-dried oregano or chopped fresh oregano
1 bay leaf
½ cup green olives, (I use regular Manzanilla olives stuffed with pimentos)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
In a large skillet fitted with a lid, cook the sausages for 5 to 7 minutes, per side over medium heat.
While sausages are cooking, dry chicken pieces with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
Remove sausages from skillet and set aside on a large plastic cutting board.
Drain off most of the fat and add oil and butter.
Drain off most of the fat and add oil and butter.
Add the chicken pieces in two batches, skin side down. Cook chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Set aside with sausages.
Add the mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and sauté another minute.
Deglaze the pan with the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove the browned flavor bits.
Cook for another minute to reduce the wine slightly.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, rosemary, oregano, and bay leaf.
Tuck the chicken pieces into the pan.
Cut the sausages into 3 pieces and tuck in the pan.
Cover and simmer slowly for 30 minutes.
Uncover, add the olives and simmer another 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Garnish with basil and serve with polenta, grated Parmigiano and a green salad.
Garnish with basil and serve with polenta, grated Parmigiano and a green salad.
Serves 4
Polenta for 4
3 cups water
3 cups chicken stock
1 t sea salt
1 ½ cups polenta or coarse yellow cornmeal
2 T unsalted butter
3 T freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and chicken stock to a boil, then add the salt.
Add the polenta in a gentle stream, whisking as you pour.
Reduce heat and let the polenta simmer, whisking constantly for about one minute.
Reduce heat o the lowest setting and let simmer for about 15 minutes. stirring often to prevent from sticking
Remove from heat, add the butter and grated Parmigiano cheese.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
Set aside to keep warm.
Serves 4
Polenta for 4
3 cups water
3 cups chicken stock
1 t sea salt
1 ½ cups polenta or coarse yellow cornmeal
2 T unsalted butter
3 T freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and chicken stock to a boil, then add the salt.
Add the polenta in a gentle stream, whisking as you pour.
Reduce heat and let the polenta simmer, whisking constantly for about one minute.
Reduce heat o the lowest setting and let simmer for about 15 minutes. stirring often to prevent from sticking
Remove from heat, add the butter and grated Parmigiano cheese.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
Set aside to keep warm.
Serves 4
