Chicken Cacciatore – Hunters Stew

Chicken Cacciatore – Hunters Stew is a recipe handed down by Italian hunters who cooked what they had available. Over the years it has been adapted but still carries the punch, textures, flavours and aroma of old. Served on a bed of piping hot spaghetti and a shaving of parmesan cheese for a truly satisfying meal. I have added rabbit to this dish and it goes  so well. Don’t forget to add the kidney and liver if you wish. Also I often pour a glass of very drinkable red wine into the pan to help with the sauce. This is very similar to Chicken and Winter Vegetable Casserole or Beef Bourguignon.

Chicken Cacciatore exemplifies the beauty of rustic cooking, where humble ingredients come together to create a dish brimming with flavour and heartiness. Translating to “hunter’s style” in English, cacciatore reflects the essence of a meal designed for comfort after a long day. This dish, while seemingly simple, combines a unique medley of ingredients that elevate it to something truly special.

At the heart of Chicken Cacciatore lies the chicken itself, typically cut into pieces and browned in olive oil, forming the foundation of the dish. The olive oil, a staple in Mediterranean cooking, imparts a subtle, fruity richness, which perfectly complements the other ingredients. The salt pork, diced finely, introduces a depth of flavour with its slightly salty and smoky character, infusing the sauce with an irresistible savoury note.

While many variations of Chicken Cacciatore exist, this particular recipe includes a unique addition: chicken livers. Often overlooked in modern cooking, the chicken livers provide a richer, more robust flavour, giving the dish a hearty earthiness. Their presence elevates the sauce, bringing a complexity that balances the other ingredients. Alongside the livers, onions play an essential role, their sweetness enhanced by slow cooking in butter, creating a soft, caramelised base.

Italian cuisine is renowned for its use of herbs, and Chicken Cacciatore is no exception. Rosemary and parsley are finely chopped and added to the dish, infusing it with fresh, aromatic notes. Rosemary, with its slightly piney, woody essence, pairs beautifully with the richness of the chicken and pork, while parsley offers a bright, green freshness that cuts through the heavier flavours.

Central to the sauce is the combination of plum tomatoes and tomato paste. The peeled plum tomatoes provide the bulk of the sauce, adding a natural sweetness and tang, while the concentrated tomato paste thickens and intensifies the flavour, creating a rich, velvety texture. The acidity from the tomatoes is essential in balancing the fattiness of the chicken and pork, resulting in a harmonious and well-rounded dish.

Seasoning plays a crucial role in perfecting Chicken Cacciatore. A generous amount of salt enhances the natural flavours of the ingredients, while ground black pepper adds a subtle heat and complexity. Together, these simple seasonings ensure that each bite is full of depth and character.

Chicken Cacciatore is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of Italy’s culinary traditions, where the focus is on quality ingredients and the careful layering of flavours. The dish is both rich and comforting, perfect for a family dinner or a cosy evening in. When paired with a glass of red wine and perhaps some crusty bread, this dish becomes a complete experience, transporting you to the Italian countryside, where food is savoured slowly and with great appreciation.

This version of Chicken Cacciatore, with its inclusion of chicken livers and salt pork, brings a richness that may surprise those more accustomed to lighter variations. The buttery onions, combined with the robust tomato sauce and fragrant herbs, make it a dish that truly showcases the complexity of traditional Italian cooking. It’s a perfect example of how rustic ingredients can come together to create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Chicken Cacciatore – Hunters Stew

A traditional Italian Stew using the meats the hunters had caught. Superbly flavoured on several different levels.

4.87 from 130 votes

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Chicken, Chicken Cacciatore, Dairy, Hunters Stew, Parmesan

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 263kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• 2 kg chicken pieces
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 oz salt pork diced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 lb onions diced
• 2 fresh chicken livers chop
• 2 cloves garlic chop
• 1 tsp rosemary chop
• 2 tbsp parsley chop
• 2 cups peeled plum tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

• If using whole chickens cut each into 4 pieces.
  2 kg chicken
• Combine the olive oil, butter, and salt pork in a large, heavy pot and cook over moderate heat for 2 minutes.
  1/4 cup olive oil, 2 oz salt pork, 4 tbsp butter
• Add the onions and cook over moderate heat for 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
  1/2 lb onions
• Add the chicken pieces, chopped livers and gizzards, and brown for 10 minutes.
  2 fresh chicken livers
• Add the garlic, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper and stir well.
  2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp rosemary, 2 tbsp parsley, salt, ground black pepper
• Cook for 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes and tomato paste, stir, and cook covered over low heat for 30 minutes, until the chicken is done.
  2 cups peeled plum tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Serve with cooked spaghettini or pasta of your choice, with the sauce spooned over it.

Notes

A classic Italian Hunters Stew that has been around for eons and is still popular.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g