This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Dinner time always seems to be the toughest for finding a meal that is both healthy and filling, however, this Easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe fits both those needs! From start to table in under 30 minutes is a huge plus as well. Never wonder what to make, because this chicken dinner is sure to become an instant family favorite!
Those busy nights can creep up on you when it comes to figuring out what to make your family for dinner. You are cleaning up the house, or picking up the kids from school, starting homework and by the time you know it – dinner was a half-hour ago. So what do you make? Tasty, easy Chicken Cacciatore!
Chicken dinners are always an easy option for dinner because it’s such a versatile ingredient. But the drawback can be that they can become kind of redundant and boring. Not with this homemade chicken cacciatore! The flavors are out of this world and they will transport you straight to Italy.
We always have chicken on hand at our house, whether in the fridge or freezer. So if you’re like us and are looking for other easy and delicious chicken recipes, why not also try my Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe and my Easy Chicken Stroganoff!
Table of Contents
- why this Easy chicken cacciatore recipe is the best
- ingredients for best chicken cacciatore recipe
- how to make this easy chicken cacciatore
- frequently asked questions
- Tips and substitutions for traditional chicken cacciatore
- What to Serve with Simple Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Hungry for more easy and delicious recipes? Check these out:
- Easy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
why this Easy chicken cacciatore recipe is the best
- An Italian classic! Loaded with all those comforting Italian ingredients like olives and marinara sauce, this is a pure delight for the taste buds. You will feel like you’re dining at an Italian restaurant as soon as you take the first bite of this chicken cacciatore.
- An easy chicken recipe. Only a few kitchens stapled needed, this hearty dish goes from pantry to table in less than 30 minutes. We keep almost all of these ingredients on hand, and I’ll bet you do too! You just can’t beat a quick and easy dinner!
- Super succulent and flavorful chicken. The chicken breasts are pan-seared for a crisp tinge, then steeped in the most delicious tomato sauce – so good! And the best part? You only need minimal ingredients to achieve the ultimate easy chicken dinner.
- Packed with goodness. Protein-rich chicken, loads of veggies, this is a hearty meal that is both nutritious and delicious. You don’t have to feel guilty feeding this to the kids for dinner, plus they will gobble it right up!
ingredients for best chicken cacciatore recipe
The list below is just the ingredients you will need to make this chicken cacciatore recipe. The full measurements are listed further down below.
- Chicken: For this recipe, you can use either chicken tenders or chicken breasts. You can also use any cut of chicken, just be aware that the cooking time for the chicken will vary.
- Salt & Pepper: Sea salt and black pepper are a classic duo that provide a ton of flavor. I like to use freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavors and a fine, natural Kosher sea salt. Use them to taste.
- Olive Oil: A great vegetable oil that can be used at high temperatures, high quality olive oil has natural aromatic flavors that are robust and so delicious.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a natural savory flavor to this Italian chicken cacciatore. The garlic balances out all of the flavors and makes this easy chicken dinner so delicious.
- Veggies: With a mixture of mushrooms and bell peppers. this flavorful chicken recipe is packed with amazing textures and flavors.
- Kalamata Olives: You can’t have chicken cacciatore without olives! Make sure you’re using a good, quality olive- I promise it makes a difference! Also make sure they are pitted.
- Marinara Sauce: The sauce is what makes this authentic chicken cacciatore recipe really come together. Use your favorite brand, and be sure to remember that the other ingredients will help to really heighten the flavors.
- Parsley: This we just use as a garnish. It provides a little color that is a nice contrast to the red, and it’s also a palate cleanser!
how to make this easy chicken cacciatore
- Cook the veggies – In a large pan with olive oil, add bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Cook these over medium heat for 4-5 minutes then set aside.
- Pan sear the chicken – To the pan, add your seasoned chicken, cook for 5-6 mins per side until cooked through. Make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F before consuming.
- Combine your ingredients – Add the veggies and sauce into the pan with the chicken, along with the olives. Let that simmer for about 5 minutes so that the flavor really soaks into everything nicely.
- Garnish – Sprinkle with parsley, serve and enjoy with pasta, zoodles or even a nice green salad!
frequently asked questions
Chicken Cacciatore is a traditional Italian dish. Cacciatore translates to the hunter in Italian. Alla cacciatora refers to a meal prepared “hunter-style” with tomatoes, onions, lots of herbs, bell peppers, and wine.
This recipe takes the classic Italian dish and simplifies it, so it’s easy and delicious!
This Easy Chicken Cacciatore has been the go-to recipe for my family for a long time. Super simple, super delicious, and amazingly healthy. When you pair this recipe with zucchini noodles or quinoa and you have one savory meal no one wants to miss out on.
Often wonder what kind of side dishes you can have with Cacciatore? There are actually many options for you. I love having this Easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe with a side of quinoa. You can try some healthy pasta, egg noodles, zoodles, gnocchi, or some roasted potatoes or veggies of choice.
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 5-7 days. If you want to freeze this dish, I suggest you freeze it in individual servings. It’s a great way to have lunch or dinner prepped! Leftovers will last in the freezer for 3 months.
Tips and substitutions for traditional chicken cacciatore
- You can use chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast.
- You can also use any cut of chicken, just be aware that the cooking time for the chicken will vary. To check doneness, the best way is to use a meat thermometer. Place it into the thickest part of the chicken, when it reads 165F, it’s done.
- Instead of kalamata olives, swap in some ripe black olives or any variety of green olives. Just make sure you use pitted olives. No one wants to bite into a big, hard olive pit!
- If you’d like this Easy Chicken Cacciatore with a little kick, you can add in a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- To make it even prettier and more festive, top your chicken with some fresh parsley. Or even add a sprinkle of Parmesan over the dish, or you can melt some fresh mozzarella over the top – yum!
- For more color, add orange or yellow peppers instead of green. You can also add other vegetables such as carrots or zucchini to the mix.
What to Serve with Simple Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Hungry for more easy and delicious recipes? Check these out:
- Easy Sushi Bowl
- Sausage and White Bean Soup
- Healthy Pasta Primavera Recipe
- Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
- Spinach and Avocado Pasta Recipe
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave us some feedback in the comment section below, and don’t forget to rate it! We would love it if you shared it with friends and family.
Finally, please use our hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of our latest blog posts and recipes.
Easy Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders or thin cut chicken breasts
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided use
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
- 1 ½ cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the green bell pepper and mushrooms to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan; place on a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste and place in the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through.
- Add the vegetables back to the pan, along with the marinara sauce and olive.
- Simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce is heated through.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can use chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast.
- You can also use any cut of chicken, just be aware that the cooking time for the chicken will vary. To check doneness, the best way is to use a meat thermometer. Place it into the thickest part of the chicken, when it reads 165F, it’s done.
- Make sure you use pitted olives.
- If you’d like this Easy Chicken Cacciatore with a little kick, you can add in a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Top with some fresh parsley.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I don’t normally leave comments, but had to with this dish! It was stupid simple and oh, so tasty! I added half of a leftover rotisserie chicken that I had shredded at the end just to heat it through, making it all the easier. Omitted the olives (not an olive fan!), added half a chopped red onion that I needed to use before it went bad, sprinkled with a bit of freshly shredded parmesan and served with half a pita. Better than spaghetti. This one is definitely going into rotation for our Mediterranean diet. Ticks all the boxes!
Nice!