Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives
Introduction
Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives is a rustic Italian classic that layers tender, slow-simmered chicken with hearty tomatoes, briny olives, and aromatic herbs. The beauty of this dish lies in its “hunter-style” one-pan simplicity—each ingredient melds into a sauce that’s both rich and deeply flavored. It’s a perennial favorite for family dinners or entertaining when you need a comforting meal that’s just as pleasing the next day.
Why This Chicken Cacciatore Stands Out
Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives is a real crowd pleaser because it’s savory, bright, and packed with bold flavors. Tomatoes bring a touch of sweetness and acidity, while olives lend a toothsome bite and just the right amount of salt. The dish comes together easily in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze and ensuring all flavors are concentrated for maximum enjoyment.
Building the Signature Tomato and Olive Sauce
Start by browning chicken pieces for added depth, then sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until fragrant. Crushed tomatoes form the foundation of the sauce, simmered with Italian herbs, a splash of wine (optional), and plenty of Kalamata or green olives. The olives infuse the sauce with Mediterranean flair and ensure each bite of chicken is juicy, aromatic, and bursting with character.
How to Cook Chicken Cacciatore Perfectly
For the best results, let the sauce gently bubble until the chicken is exceptionally tender—this can take up to 40 minutes. Cooking the dish low and slow allows the flavors to meld, the tomatoes to thicken, and the olives to soften without losing their texture. Serve it directly from the pot with a handful of freshly chopped parsley over the top for color and freshness.
Serving Ideas for Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives
This comforting dish is perfectly paired with buttered noodles, creamy polenta, or crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce. For a lighter meal, serve it atop steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables. Add a crisp green salad and a dry Italian white wine for a satisfying, well-rounded dinner.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields approximately 4 hearty servings. Each portion (without pasta or bread) contains roughly 350–400 calories, depending on the cut of chicken used. It offers a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and vegetables for a wholesome meal.
Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives (Recap)
Sumptuously saucy, vibrant, and easy to make, Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives celebrates Italian home-cooking with bold, satisfying flavors. It’s the ultimate all-in-one dinner for family or friends, guaranteed to impress and delight.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, skin-side down, and sear until golden brown on both sides (about 5 minutes per side). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Add white wine or chicken broth (if using), dried oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cover.
- Cook for 30 minutes, then add olives and capers. Continue simmering uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Check seasoning and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Weekly Meal Planning
Chicken Cacciatore with Tomatoes and Olives is fantastic for meal prep—prepare it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe on CookifyAI to plan your meals and instantly generate a smart, consolidated shopping list based on all recipes you select.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates ingredient totals across planned meals
- Organizes grocery items by store section
- Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
- Makes weekly prep and shopping more efficient
Pro tip: When planning a week’s worth of dinners, schedule this recipe alongside others to combine overlapping ingredients and simplify your shopping. For instance, if you’re making multiple Italian dishes, CookifyAI will sum up all needed onions, garlic, and herbs, saving time, money, and effort.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes





