Veggie-Filled Chicken Cacciatore 🍗🥦

Overview:

Welcome to a delightful fusion of flavors in this Veggie-Filled Chicken Cacciatore recipe! Combining elements from various online recipes and infusing it with personal creativity, this dish promises a tantalizing experience for your taste buds. Despite its intricate appearance, rest assured that most of the cooking time is spent in the oven, allowing you to multitask or unwind while the flavors meld together beautifully. The result? Tender chicken that effortlessly falls off the bone, immersed in a rich, savory sauce bursting with the goodness of vegetables. Perfect for a cozy winter night or a satisfying weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. So let’s dive in and discover the magic of Veggie-Filled Chicken Cacciatore!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 806.6
• Fat: 53.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 13.9g
• Cholesterol: 205.9mg
• Sodium: 448mg
• Carbohydrates: 26.9g
  • Fiber: 3.2g
  • Sugar: 6.2g
• Protein: 52g

Ingredients:

Before we embark on this culinary journey, let’s gather our ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Begin by mixing salt, pepper, and flour together in a shallow bowl.

2. Coating the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken pieces, removing any excess skin.
   • Roll the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.

3. Browning the Chicken:

   • In a large skillet, heat a portion of olive oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add a portion of onion, garlic, and a few whole basil leaves to the skillet.
   • Brown the chicken pieces on all sides in the skillet.
   • Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
   • Repeat the process with remaining chicken pieces, adding more olive oil to the skillet if needed.

4. Preparing the Vegetable Mixture:

   • Remove any gristle from the skillet, leaving the oil.
   • Add the remaining onion and garlic to the skillet, stirring until the onion is just wilted.
   • Add the zucchini and mushrooms to the skillet, cooking briefly while stirring. Note: The vegetables will continue to cook in the oven.

5. Assembling the Dish:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place the browned chicken pieces into a large oven-proof casserole dish.
   • Pour the onion-veggie mixture over the chicken in the casserole dish.

6. Preparing the Sauce:

   • In the same skillet used for browning the chicken, add the remaining olive oil.
   • Add the remaining garlic to the skillet, followed by the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian spices, and dry red wine.
   • Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

7. Baking the Dish:

   • Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the casserole dish.
   • Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

8. Final Touches:

   • Once the chicken is cooked through, uncover the dish.
   • Sprinkle chopped basil and grated parmesan cheese over the chicken.
   • Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken.

9. Serving Suggestions:

   • Serve the Veggie-Filled Chicken Cacciatore hot, accompanied by white rice.
   • Drizzle a little of the sauce over the rice for extra flavor.

10. Additional Notes:

    • For those watching their fat and calorie intake, consider removing the skin from the chicken and omitting the olive oil from the sauce.
    • Enjoy the delightful combination of basil and cheese, which forms a delicious crust on the chicken even without the skin.
    • Cooking the chicken with the skin on helps retain moisture, ensuring each bite is succulent and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You’ve successfully prepared Veggie-Filled Chicken Cacciatore, a dish that combines the rustic charm of European cuisine with wholesome ingredients and a touch of creativity. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting meal, this recipe is sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and savor every mouthful of this delicious masterpiece. Buon appetito! 🍽✨