Best Easy Pollo alla Cacciatora Recipe

Hunter-style chicken braised with tomatoes, olives, and herbs is beloved throughout Italy. This high protein chicken dish is a fresh, mediterranean family classic that's naturally suited to a healthy diet.

Cook 55 min Difficulty NORMAL 320 kcal
#mediterranean #high protein #diabetic friendly #DASH
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • bone-in skinless chicken thighs 8 pieces
  • yellow onion 1 pieces
  • carrot 1 pieces
  • celery stalk 1 pieces
  • garlic cloves 3 cloves
  • whole peeled tomatoes 1 28 oz can
  • kalamata olives 0.5 cup
  • fresh rosemary sprig 1 pieces
  • fresh thyme sprig 2 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
  • kosher salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • dry white wine 0.5 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 11 g 14%
Protein 31 g 39%
Fat 14 g 47%
Serving size 300g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Pat chicken thighs dry, season with half the salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

  2. 2

    Add remaining olive oil if needed. Lower heat to medium. Add finely chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened and lightly golden, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 3

    Deglaze with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes until slightly reduced.

  4. 4

    Crush tomatoes by hand and add to the pot with their juices. Stir in olives, rosemary, thyme, and the rest of the salt and pepper.

  5. 5

    Return chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 30–35 minutes, turning chicken once halfway, until chicken is very tender but not falling apart.

  6. 6

    Uncover and simmer 5–8 minutes to concentrate the sauce if needed. Adjust seasoning. Discard herb stems and serve hot.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The bone-in skinless chicken thighs are central to Pollo alla Cacciatora, delivering a rich, savory flavor and tender texture. Combined with tomatoes, olives, and aromatic herbs, they define the hunter-style character of the dish.
Q. Why is browning the chicken important in this recipe?
Browning the chicken thighs in olive oil at the start locks in moisture and adds deep savory flavor. This step also creates flavor-rich fond in the pot, which is deglazed and forms the foundation of the sauce.
Q. How do you avoid overcooking the chicken?
Maintain a gentle, low heat during braising and turn chicken pieces once halfway through. Stop cooking when the meat is tender but not falling apart, about 30–35 minutes, then briefly simmer uncovered to concentrate the sauce without drying the chicken.
Q. How many calories and what is the protein-to-carb ratio per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 320 kcal, with 31g protein (39% of calories) and 11g carbs (14%). This makes the recipe high in protein relative to carbohydrates, supporting balanced nutrition.
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