Who doesn’t love chicken? It’s one of the most versatile meats, thanks to the variety of cuts and its subtle flavour, which means it works well in an amazing range of cuisines.
Our featured recipe is a traditional Italian dish with a homely, rustic feel. It translates as ‘hunter’s style chicken’, as it’s modelled on the sort of stew that hunters would throw together with whatever they had caught on any particular day. This means you can switch the chicken with another meat if you wish.
The strong tomato flavour, along with the mushrooms, garlic and wine, makes this dish taste specifically Italian. It’s a mouthwatering combination of flavours that will really evoke the beautiful Italian countryside and simple way of life.
More about chicken…
Here at Church Street Butcher, we simply love chicken. It’s a lean, protein-packed meat that can be a key part of a healthy diet and is loved by all the family.
We only sell fresh, free-range chicken for some very good reasons. Animals that have been given the freedom to roam are happier and healthier, so when you choose to buy free-range meat, you know you are making the ethical choice.
Our meat is also antibiotic- and hormone-free, so you can rest assured that it’s the healthiest way to enjoy this tasty meat.
Yet another thing we love about chicken is its versatility. We’ve suggested skinless chicken thighs here as the darker, slightly stronger-tasting meat lends itself well to this flavourful recipe.
If you enjoy Italian food, you can also experiment with chicken wings recipes that cook quickly and please all the family. Try recipes for chicken wings using Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar or mustard to capture that Mediterranean vibe.
What can I serve with chicken cacciatore?
For an authentic Italian touch, serve your chicken cacciatore with polenta. This side dish hails from northern Italy and is made of coarsely ground yellow corn. Serve it freshly cooked so that its consistency is similar to mashed potato. Know that because it’s corn-based, polenta is also gluten-free, so it makes a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta.
You could also serve your chicken cacciatore with roast potatoes, pasta or noodles, and add a dish of mixed steamed vegetables – whatever’s in season.
This recipe sums up everything that’s wonderful about Italian cooking – rich, distinctive flavours that work perfectly together.
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken thighs (bone in, skin on, trimmed of excess fat)
- 1 Brown onion
- 2 stick Celery
- ½ Red capsicum
- ½ Green capsicum
- ½ cup Black olives
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Oregano (dried)
- 3 sprigs Thyme (fresh)
- 2 tablespoons Flat-leaf parsley (more for later)
- 2 tablespoon Basil (more for later)
- pinch Chilli flakes
- 1 1 cup red wine
- 1 Tomato canned ((250g))
- salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides and underneath the skin.
- In a large pan or braiser (with a lid), heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken, skin side down first. Cook until golden brown, then turn over to brown on the other side (about 8 minutes total). Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
- In the same braiser, add the onions, celery, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook over medium heat, tossing regularly. Add salt, pepper, oregano, fresh thyme, parsley and red pepper flakes. Allow the vegetables to cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until tender
- Add the red wine and cook for a few minutes until the wine has reduced by about ½, then add the tomatoes. Cook 5 to 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Now add the chicken pieces back to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and allow the chicken to cook for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
- Garnish with basil and parsley.
Find free-range chicken from your local, online butcher
Find fresh, healthy free-range chicken to use in this recipe from your local butcher. Church Street Butcher, based on the street of the same name here in Brighton, Melbourne, is your go-to for a friendly, personal service and quality meat too.
Did you know we are also an online butcher? You can place your meat order on our website and enjoy free home delivery for orders over $80 to Brighton and the surrounding suburbs.
Trust Church Street Butcher for all your free-range meat needs. From chicken and lamb to pork and beef – we’ve got you covered!
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