Easy Chicken Cacciatore

Easy Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

This yummy dinner is super easy.  The prep time doesn't take long, and you can cook it either on top of the stove or in the crock pot.

1.  First, gather up what you need in the following two photos.  I used chicken thighs from Costco, and they are really large.  I used 8 of them.  But you can use smaller ones from the grocery store, or you can use chicken breasts. 

Chicken  Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

2.  Use a good, big heavy pot.  I love this enamel dutch oven, because it distributes the heat evenly, and things are less likley to burn when you are simmering your food.  This wasn't cheap; I got it at good old Bi-Mart for $50.00; but I use it all the time.  If you don't have one, don't worry.  Use the best large pot that you have.  Still, keep your eyes out for these to either come on sale, or when you are thrifting.

Pour your spaghetti sauce and two cans of stewed tomatoes into the pot, and add your spices.  About a tablespoon or so of each one.  Stir up everything well.

Chicken  Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

3.  Add the two cups or so of fresh mushrooms, and some oregano.  Then stir it all up again.  You want to blend all your spices really well.  If I would have had a seasoning packet for spaghetti sauce, I would have just added it to the spaghetti sauce, but all I had was a taco packet and decided not to experiment.  Turn the heat on medium low and begin to heat up the sauce.

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

4.  Melt enough shortening in your frying pan to cover the bottom (a couple of spatula's full).  I know that shortening has fallen out of favor in many circles, but for frying chicken, it is the best stuff.  It seals in the meat and flour, and they cook so nicely.  I never get the same result with oil.  Maybe it is just me.  But if I'm going to put a lot of time, effort and money into a special meal, then I want it to turn out the best that I can make it.   Add some pepper and salt to the flour stir it up and dredge your chicken through it. 

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

5.  Brown your chicken well on both sides.  The insides don't have to be cooked all the way through, because you will be cooking the chicken in the sauce for about and hour and a half, and it will be done by that time.

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

6.  Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, and stir them in until you have all 8 pieces well covered.

Chicken Cacciatore April 2011, Kathy Matthews

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

7.  Add your two cups of sliced onions.  I just used what I had on hand, a red one and a white one.  Cover and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours.  Let that yummy sauce seep into your chicken.  The longer the better.

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

8.  Ti-da!  You are done!  See wasn't that easy?

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

9.  You can serve the sauce over either mashed potatoes or spaghetti.  I used a couple of those little Ore-Ida instant potato packages, because they really are good and only take a minute to make.

Chicken Cacciatore, April 2011, Kathy Matthews

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, just leave me a comment and I'll answer them for you.  Have a wonderful weekend.


Kathy

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