I have made chicken cacciatore for years! It’s one of my all time favourite dishes and it’s perfect when you feel like having something comforting and healthy.
1kgchicken thighsdiced into 3 cm strips (or use lovely legs, bone in)
sea salt & cracked black pepper
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
1brown onionlarge, finely diced
2clovesgarlicfinely diced
2carrotsfinely diced
3celery sticksfinely diced
1red capsicumfinely diced
400gcanned crushed tomatoes
2tablespoonstomato paste
1cupred winecab sav or shiraz
2cupsmushroomssliced
1/2cupblack pitted oliveshalved
1cupparsley leavesfinely chopped, plus extra to serve
parmesan cheesegrated, to serve
lemon zestto serve, optional
Instructions
Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place a large frying pan or stove-safe slow cooker pot over high heat. Brown the chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.
1 kg chicken thighs, sea salt & cracked black pepper, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes. Add the carrot, celery and capsicum and cook for 3–4 minutes. Transfer to your slow cooker and add the browned chicken pieces. Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste and red wine, then season well. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours.
1 brown onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 carrots, 3 celery sticks, 1 red capsicum, 400 g canned crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 cup red wine
Remove the lid, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for a further 1–2 hours on high. In the last 10 minutes, add the olives and chopped parsley.
2 cups mushrooms, 1/2 cup black pitted olives, 1 cup parsley leaves
Serve with grated parmesan and extra parsley. You can also add some lemon zest if you desire.
parmesan cheese, 1 cup parsley leaves, lemon zest
Serve the chicken cacciatore on rice, mashed potato, polenta or pasta.