Chicken Cacciatore

Share

This Chicken Cacciatore is an easy skillet dinner loaded with tender chicken, sliced mushrooms and green peppers in a rich tomato sauce.

Garlic, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese give this simple dish plenty of flavour without a long list of ingredients.

It’s ready in just 50 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you’re craving something hearty and comforting.

Serve it over noodles or rice to soak up all that delicious sauce for a family dinner that’s worth staying home for.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Ready in 50 minutes: A hearty, comforting dinner you can pull off on a weeknight.
• One skillet: Everything cooks in the same pan, which means fewer dishes to wash.
• Simple ingredients: No wine, specialty ingredients or complicated shopping list required.
• Big flavour with minimal effort: Garlic, Italian seasoning and Parmesan bring plenty of flavour to the rich tomato sauce.
• Chicken breasts stay juicy: Simmering the chicken in the sauce helps keep it tender.
• Veggies built right in: Mushrooms and green peppers add flavour, texture and colour.
• Easy to serve: Spoon it over pasta, rice or noodles and let that sauce do the heavy lifting.
• Makes enough for the family: This recipe serves four, making dinner planning a little easier.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 2 tablespoons olive oil: For cooking the chicken, garlic and vegetables in the skillet.
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided: Use 1 tablespoon when browning the chicken. The instructions don’t specify when to add the remaining tablespoon; add it during the last minute of sautéing the mushrooms and peppers so it flavours the sauce without burning.
• 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half: Cutting each breast in half gives you four portions and helps the chicken cook more evenly.
• 1 green pepper, cut into strips: Adds colour, texture and a slightly sweet, earthy flavour to the tomato sauce.
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms: Give the sauce a hearty texture and savoury flavour. White button or cremini mushrooms both work well.
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes: Forms the base of the rich tomato sauce and gives it a thick, spoonable consistency.
• 1 cup pasta sauce: Adds another layer of flavour with minimal effort. Use your favourite jarred tomato-based pasta sauce.
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: This dried herb blend adds classic Italian flavour without measuring out several individual seasonings.
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided: Stir 2 tablespoons into the sauce and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons over the chicken before serving.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I sliced some green bell peppers into strips and cut 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half to produce 4 portions of chicken breast.

 STEP 2: 

I heated some olive oil and minced garlic in a skillet over medium-heat.

I added the chicken breasts to the pan and cooked each side for 3-4 minutes.

I removed the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

 STEP 3: 

I added sliced green peppers and mushrooms to the skillet and sauteed them for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan.

 STEP 4: 

I poured crushed tomatoes into the skillet and then placed the chicken breasts on top.

I also returned the green peppers and mushrooms to the skillet.

 STEP 5: 

I also added pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and grated parmesan to the skillet.

I tossed the ingredients together in the skillet and then simmered them for about 30 minutes.

Every bite of this Chicken Cacciatore is loaded with tender chicken, hearty mushrooms and sweet green peppers coated in rich, garlicky tomato sauce.

Twirl your fork through the saucy noodles and get a little of everything for the kind of comforting bite that keeps you going back for more.

If you are looking for a hearty chicken dinner recipe perfect for cold weather, then you need to try this Chicken Cacciatore!

• Keep the chicken pieces similar in size. This helps them cook evenly so you don’t end up with one piece drying out while another finishes cooking.
• Don’t worry about cooking the chicken through when browning. You’re just getting some colour on the outside at this stage. It will finish cooking while it simmers in the sauce.
• Save the remaining garlic for the veggies. Add the second tablespoon of minced garlic during the last minute of sautéing the mushrooms and peppers, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
• Use a pasta sauce you love. It’s doing some of the seasoning work for you, so choose one you already enjoy.
• Scrape up those browned bits. When you add the crushed tomatoes, give the bottom of the skillet a good scrape to work all that extra flavour into the sauce.
• Keep the simmer gentle. The sauce should bubble lightly. A hard boil can toughen the chicken and cause the sauce to splatter.
• Adjust the sauce as needed. If it gets too thick before the chicken is cooked, stir in a splash of water or chicken broth. If you want it thicker, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
• Taste before adding salt. Pasta sauce and Parmesan both contribute salt, so wait until everything has simmered together before adjusting the seasoning.
• Don’t leave that sauce behind. Serve with noodles, rice or a chunk of crusty bread to soak up every last bite.

Substitutions and Variations

• Chicken thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Adjust the simmering time as needed depending on their size.
• Different bell peppers: Use red, yellow or orange bell peppers instead of green for a sweeter flavour.
• Mushroom options: White button and cremini mushrooms both work well. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, leave them out and add extra peppers.
• Fresh garlic: Substitute freshly minced garlic for jarred minced garlic.
• Pasta sauce: Use your favourite marinara or tomato basil sauce to change up the flavour.
• Fresh herbs: Finish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a pop of colour and freshness.
• Make it spicy: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Add onions: Sauté a sliced yellow onion along with the mushrooms and peppers for extra flavour.
• Add olives or capers: Stir in sliced olives or a spoonful of drained capers near the end of cooking for a salty, briny kick.
• Extra vegetables: Add sliced zucchini during the last 10–15 minutes of simmering, or stir in a few handfuls of spinach just before serving.
• Cheese swap: Try grated Pecorino Romano in place of Parmesan for a sharper, saltier finish.
• Switch up the base: Serve over spaghetti, egg noodles, rice, creamy polenta or mashed potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chicken cacciatore?

• Chicken cacciatore is an Italian “hunter-style” chicken dish simmered in a tomato-based sauce, often with vegetables and herbs. This easy version uses chicken breasts, mushrooms, green peppers and a shortcut boost from jarred pasta sauce.

Do I need to cook the chicken all the way through before adding the sauce?

• No. The first step is just to brown the chicken on both sides. It finishes cooking as it simmers in the tomato sauce.

How do I store leftover chicken cacciatore?

• Store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking, and store any noodles or rice separately.

Can I freeze chicken cacciatore?

• Yes! Once cooled, transfer the chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality. Freeze in individual portions for easy future meals.

Can I make chicken cacciatore ahead of time?

• Absolutely! Prepare it a day ahead, refrigerate promptly and reheat gently before serving. Cook fresh noodles or rice when you’re ready to eat.

Chicken Cacciatore

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This easy Chicken Cacciatore features tender chicken breasts, mushrooms and green peppers simmered in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese.

Ready in 50 minutes, this hearty skillet dinner is delicious served over pasta or rice.

No Ratings

Print

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic, divided
• 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half
• 1 green pepper, cut into slices
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup pasta sauce
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Cut the peppers into strips, and the chicken breasts in half.
2. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook on each side for 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan.
3. Add the mushrooms and peppers to the pan and saute for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms start to change color. Remove from the pan.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan, then return the chicken to the pan.
5. Add the mushrooms and peppers along with the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and 2 tablespoon of the parmesan. Toss to coat.
6. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is done and the peppers are tender.
7. Sprinkle the rest of the parmesan over the chicken and serve over noodles or rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 808mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 8gSugar: 14gProtein: 27g

This post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

~ Follow on Instagram ~ ~ Follow on Pinterest ~ ~ Follow on TikTok ~

Share