Chicken Cacciatore

Dr. Sweetpea loves Italian food. We went to several Italian restaurants when we were in NYC visiting my brother because Dr. Sweetpea wanted to eat the best Italian food. Anyway, I had a big pack of chicken thighs in our fridge that needed to be used and I had several cans of canned tomatoes products in our pantry, so I decided to whip up a delicious Chicken Cacciatore dish for our dinner. Plus, it's a super easy weeknight meal since I don't have to stand over the stove while it cooks. This was a huge hit with Dr. Sweetpea and I didn't even have time to take a decent photo because we ate all of it in no time flat.

Chicken Cacciatore

(Source: www.prouditaliancook.com)

1 whole chicken, bone-in,skin on and each breast cut in half for smaller pieces***

1 (8oz package) mixed mushrooms, like crimini and shiitake

1 onion, diced medium

1 small yellow and red pepper, diced medium

2 small carrots, peeled and sliced

5 garlic cloves, shaved

pitted kalamata olives, a large handful

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup white wine

1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 (14 oz) can of tiny whole tomatoes or if not available just whole tomatoes.

Assorted herbs, parsley, basil, oregano and thyme

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Season chicken with salt, pepper and sprinkled oregano. Heat a heavy cast iron skillet, drizzled with olive oil. Place chicken skin side down and do not move it until it reaches a deep golden brown and it's easy to turn, brown other side for a few minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. Add vegetables, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, a few twigs of thyme, sauté for 5 minutes. Add wine and let it reduce. Add chicken broth and tomatoes. Toss in 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper and chopped fresh basil. Place the chicken back into the pan and sink into the juices. Simmer on low, stove top, for a couple of hours or until chicken falls off the bone. Uncovered. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with cooked pasta, polenta or warm crusty bread.

***Note: I used six chicken thighs that have the bone in them. I also removed the chicken skin before browning the chicken.