This week’s Regional Italian recipe is Pollo alla cacciatora, from the region of Tuscany or, as we say, Toscana. Who does not know Tuscany?? It is probably one of the most beautiful regions of Italy and definitely one of the most visited. And it is one of the regions with some of the best (and most varied) food you can dream of … not to mention some of the best wine in the world. I am sure the majority of you will have at least heard of Pollo alla cacciatora (which literally means “chicken made hunter style”) and many of you will have probably eaten it as well as it is a very famous dish that can be found at many Italian restaurants around the globe. Anyhow, as with many other popular Italian recipes, this too has often been manipulated and transformed into something “non-original”. It is a very simple recipe and it was originally cooked by peasants with whatever they grew in their fields. Pollo alla cacciatora is a classic dish that almost everyone in Italy makes… it is one of those dishes that will slightly vary from house to house! And today I am sharing with you my mom’s recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1.5 kg chicken, cut in pieces and with the skin on
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
¼ glass extra virgin olive oil
400 gms diced tomatoes
1 tbsp parsley, minced
2 sprigs rosemary
3 stalks celery
10 big green olives, pitted (optional)
1 glass red wine
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a big pot and brown the chicken pieces in it for a few minutes (1). Now add the onion and let it cook for 2 or 3 minutes (2). Add the garlic, carrots, celery, parsley and rosemary, salt and pepper (3) and sauté for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are soft (4). Now pour in the red wine (5) and let the alcohol evaporate on a high flame. Add the diced tomatoes (6), lower the heat to medium, cover and let the chicken cook for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.
5 minutes before putting the fire off, add the olives and mix well.
Serve warm with some mash potatoes on the side.
Don’t forget to check out all the other Regional Italian Dishes already published!
Hi Manu. I bookmarked this recipe over at Javelin Warrior and I just wanted to say that I will be making this later in the week when my daughter returns from a far-flung volunteering placement. I thought it would be hugely comforting, and like a big hug, which she will also get, of course! She has been volunteering at a Buddhist monastery so I expect a little chicken will go down well with her. Thanks for this lovely recipe x
Awww I feel honoured that you chose one of my recipe for such a special occasion! As a mum, I can imagine how excited you must be to have your daughter back! I really hope you all like the chicken! Hugs!
Such a delicious recipe, Manu! I especially loved the less-aggressive tomato flavor that melds to beautifully with the rosemary and chicken flavors. And the olives were just wonderful… I’m so glad I had the opportunity to make this recipe and thanks so much for sharing!
Mmm, I can just imagine the smell 🙂 lovely, comforting dish!
Ahh, pollo alla cacciatora… delicious!!!
What a beautiful dish, and such a gorgeous combination of flavors…lovely!
wow, this looks sooooooooooo good. makes me wanna go back to Italy. Love Chicken Caccitore.
I would love to try this dish, Manu. I looks delicious!
What a simple but delicious dish. I love how you incorporate your mom’s recipe and how these basic Italian ingredients make such a fantastic meal. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Looks scrumptious…great job!
This is simply amazing. I really love this recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Cacciatora is one of my husband’s go to weeknight dinner. In fact, we had it on Monday night. It’s so delicious that I always ask him to make enough for my lunch the next day. We generally have ours on greens to limit carbs. JT puts mushrooms and black olives in his version. YUM.
Dinner tonight–solved! Looks delicious, Manu!!
I absolutely adore Tuscany – my parents have a house there where we used to spend every summer. This looks gorgeous – full of Italian flavour 🙂
Mmmmmmmm…..what a perfect dinner!!! And so gorgeous as always, Manu!!! Glad to have your mom’s recipe~
I have had this dish before, but your mom’s variation here does look like something I need to try. Sometimes getting away from the traditional recipe is not a good thing-I am glad to find something a little more truer to the original. Simply delicious.