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The Recipe · No.313 · Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore, and where to source it

Chicken Cacciatore — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Chicken Cacciatore Italian 5best2buy.com

Brown the skin hard first; that fond is the base of the braise and thin sauce tastes of nothing. Use bone-in thighs and drumsticks over breast, because the braise runs 45 minutes and lean meat dries out long before the sauce is done.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook50 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineItalian
Cost$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Bone-in chicken thighs
Thighs and drumsticks stay juicy through a long braise; pasture-raised birds give a richer sauce.
3 lb
Canned tomatoes
Crushed San Marzano-style tomatoes cook into a proper sauce; watery cans stay thin.
1 can (28 oz)
Mushrooms
Cremini add earthiness; brown them before they go into the pot.
8 oz
Olives
A handful of pitted black olives late in the braise for a briny lift.
1/2 cup
Olive oil
For browning the chicken and softening the vegetables.
3 tbsp
Onion, garlic, bell pepper, and red wine
The aromatic base; 1/2 cup red wine deglazes the fond.
1 onion, 3 cloves, 1 pepper, 1/2 cup wine

Using chicken thigh? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Brown the chickenSeason and brown the pieces skin-side down in oil until deep gold, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Build the baseSoften onion, pepper, and mushrooms in the fat, then garlic. Deglaze with wine and scrape up the browned bits.
  3. BraiseAdd tomatoes, return the chicken, cover, and simmer 40 to 45 minutes at a low bubble until the meat pulls from the bone.
  4. FinishStir in olives for the last 10 minutes. Uncover to reduce if the sauce is thin; check that thighs read 185F.
The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Tongs · Wooden spoon · Instant thermometer

Straight Answers
Can you make Chicken Cacciatore in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Chicken Cacciatore? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chicken Cacciatore ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Chicken Cacciatore gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Chicken Cacciatore vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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