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This rustic Hen Cacciatore is every thing consolation meals must be—tender, fall-off-the-bone hen baked in a wealthy tomato and purple wine sauce, with mushrooms, candy bell peppers, and briny olives. One pot, massive taste, and the type of cozy dinner that principally cooks itself whilst you fake you’re within the Italian countryside.

The Greatest Hen Cacciatore Recipe
Hen Cacciatore is a type of dishes that immediately makes me really feel like I’ve obtained life collectively—even when I’m carrying pajama pants and the canines are barking at nothing. It’s cozy, rustic, and stuffed with taste, however completely unfussy. One massive pan, some fundamental elements, and the oven takes it from there.
That is how I make it at residence—bone-in hen that virtually falls off the bone, sautéed peppers and mushrooms, a splash of purple wine (some for the pot, some for me), and olives tossed in on the finish as a result of we’re fancy like that. It smells such as you’ve been simmering all day, however your range is aware of higher.

Why You’ll Love This Hen Cacciatore
- One Pot, Large Taste – Every thing simmers in a single oven-safe skillet, absorbing all that garlicky, herby, wine-spiked tomato sauce. No stovetop juggling, no mess.
- Cozy, Rustic Vibes – This isn’t a buttoned-up, plated hen dish. It’s saucy, hearty, and meant to be served family-style over one thing that soaks all of it up.
- Bone-In Hen = Constructed-In Taste – I exploit wings and drumsticks for optimum tenderness and richness. Bonus: no slicing required.
- Even Higher the Subsequent Day – Like most braised dishes, the flavors deepen in a single day. It reheats like a dream.
- Basic however Versatile – Add additional mushrooms, skip the olives, or swap in white wine—this dish isn’t fussy, and it’s onerous to mess up.
Hen Cacciatore isn’t sophisticated, however there are some things you need to know earlier than you begin tossing issues into the pan. This dish is all about constructing taste in layers, utilizing easy methods that truly matter.

🍗 Use Bone-In, Pores and skin-On Hen
Wings and drumsticks are good right here. They keep juicy, they add richness to the sauce, and so they deal with lengthy cooking like champs. Boneless breasts will dry out and don’t convey the identical depth—save these for one thing quicker.
🔥 Don’t Skip the Sear
Browning the hen earlier than it goes into the oven provides a ton of taste. You don’t must prepare dinner it by—simply get that golden crust going. It makes a distinction.
🍄 Cook dinner the Mushrooms First
Sure, earlier than the peppers. Mushrooms launch moisture, and should you throw every thing in collectively, they’ll steam as a substitute of brown. I like to offer them 5 minutes to prepare dinner down on their very own first, then add the peppers after.
🍷 Wine or No Wine?
I exploit purple wine as a result of it provides the sauce depth and richness you possibly can’t pretend. However should you’re skipping alcohol, use low-sodium hen broth and perhaps a splash of balsamic vinegar to spherical issues out.
🫒 Don’t Add the Olives Too Early
Olives go in on the finish so that they don’t get mushy or overpower the sauce. They’re meant to complete the dish—not take it over.
⏱️ This One’s a Gradual Simmer
The oven time is the place the magic occurs. Give it not less than 45 minutes for the hen to completely soak in that sauce. Need it falling-off-the-bone tender? Go for the total hour.
This can be a one-pan marvel, so when you’ve obtained every thing prepped, the remaining is usually hands-off. Simply construct taste in layers, pop it within the oven, and let it work its magic.

Warmth the olive oil and butter in a big oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven. Add the hen and season with salt and pepper. Sear for about 4 minutes per facet till golden. No must prepare dinner it by—it’ll end within the oven. Switch to a plate and put aside.

Add the garlic and onions to the identical pan and prepare dinner for about 2 minutes till tender and aromatic. Don’t rush this step—it lays the inspiration.

Toss within the mushrooms and prepare dinner for five minutes. Allow them to launch their moisture and begin to brown. Then add the bell peppers and sauté for one more couple of minutes simply till they soften barely.

Stir within the turmeric, oregano, bay leaves, purple wine, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Convey every thing to a delicate boil, scraping up all these browned bits from the underside of the pan.

Nestle the seared hen items again into the sauce. Cowl with a lid and switch the entire pan to the oven. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, relying on how tender you want your hen.

As soon as it’s out of the oven, prime with the Kalamata olives and sprinkle with recent parsley. Serve it over noodles, rice, or creamy polenta. And don’t overlook the crusty bread for mopping up that sauce.
Jo’s Tip:
Don’t skip the oven time. That gradual braise is what makes the hen fall-off-the-bone tender and provides the sauce its wealthy, developed taste. And should you’ve obtained time? Let it relaxation for 10 minutes earlier than serving—it’s even higher as soon as it settles.

Continuously Requested Questions
Can I exploit boneless hen?
You may, however bone-in, skin-on hen brings far more taste and stays juicy whereas it bakes. Boneless thighs will work should you’re brief on time, however I’d skip the breasts.
Can I make this with out wine?
Yep. Swap the wine for low-sodium hen broth and add a splash of balsamic or purple wine vinegar for a little bit acidity and richness.
What sort of wine ought to I exploit?
Go for a dry purple wine—Chianti, Pinot Noir, and even Cabernet Sauvignon work nice. Use one thing you’d drink (not cooking wine) however don’t stress—simply maintain it dry, not candy.
What sort of olives are greatest?
I really like Kalamata olives for his or her daring taste, however inexperienced or Castelvetrano work too. Simply wait so as to add them on the finish so that they don’t go mushy or take over the sauce.
Can I make it forward of time?
Completely. This dish will get even higher after a day within the fridge. Make it as much as 2 days forward and reheat gently on the range or in a 350°F oven.
Can I freeze Hen Cacciatore?
Sure, minus the olives if doable. Freeze in an hermetic container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then reheat gently till warmed by.

Storage & Reheating
Fridge:
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days. The flavors get even higher in a single day, so don’t be stunned if it tastes even richer the following day.
Freezer:
Hen Cacciatore freezes nicely—simply go away the olives out should you’re making it particularly to freeze (they will go a bit mushy). Retailer in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge.
To Reheat:
Heat gently on the stovetop over medium-low warmth, or reheat in a 350°F oven till heated by. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened an excessive amount of within the fridge.

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Hen Cacciatore
This rustic Hen Cacciatore is consolation meals at its best—juicy bone-in hen simmered in a wealthy tomato and purple wine sauce with mushrooms, candy peppers, and briny olives. All baked in a single pot for deep taste and straightforward cleanup.
Earlier than You Start! When you make this, please go away a overview and ranking letting us know the way you preferred this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.
Directions
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Add the olive oil and butter to a big oven-safe skillet with a lid, and warmth till butter has melted.
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Add the hen to the skillet and season generously with salt and pepper. Fry the hen on either side till golden, about 4 min per facet. The hen does not must be cooked by, as it’s going to proceed cooking whereas within the oven. Switch the hen to a plate and put aside.
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Add the garlic and onions to the skillet and saute for two minutes till the onion is translucent and the garlic turns into fragrant. Add the chopped mushrooms and prepare dinner for five min till the mushrooms prepare dinner down then add the peppers.
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I wish to prepare dinner my mushrooms first, however you may add the mushrooms and peppers suddenly. Stir and prepare dinner for a pair extra minutes till the peppers soften a bit.
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Add the turmeric, oregano, bay leaves, purple wine, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Stir nicely and produce to a boil.
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Add the hen again to the pot, cowl with a lid and place within the oven. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
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High with complete Kalamata olives and garnish with recent parsley earlier than serving.
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Serve over noodles, rice or polenta.
Notes
- Hen: I exploit a mixture of wings and drumsticks, however any bone-in, skin-on items work. Thighs are nice too. Boneless hen will prepare dinner quicker, nevertheless it gained’t have the identical depth of taste.
- Mushrooms First: Cooking the mushrooms earlier than the peppers helps them brown and construct taste as a substitute of steaming.
- Wine Swaps: Chianti, Pinot Noir, or any dry purple works. No wine? Use low-sodium hen broth + a splash of balsamic or purple wine vinegar.
- Make It Forward: Good for prepping forward. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days—flavors deepen and the sauce will get even higher in a single day.
- Deglaze the pan. When including the wine and different liquid elements be sure to scrape the underside of the pan to loosen all of the browned bits. This may make the cacciatore extra flavorful.
Vitamin Data
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 354kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 14g (5%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fats: 21g (32%)Saturated Fats: 6g (38%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 10gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 103mg (34%)Sodium: 712mg (31%)Potassium: 877mg (25%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 1196IU (24%)Vitamin C: 90mg (109%)Calcium: 75mg (8%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Discover: Vitamin is auto-calculated to your comfort. The place related, we advocate utilizing your individual vitamin calculations.
Initially shared Sept 17, 2013.