Chicken Cacciatore For One

Chicken Cacciatore is an easy to make, low carb, rustic skillet dinner recipe made with one chicken thigh simmering in a rich and hearty tomato based sauce.

Many years ago, I was given The Joy of Cooking as a wedding present, and throughout the early days of my marriage and while raising our children, it became my go-to cookbook. Over the years, I think I must have made just about every recipe from that book but chicken cacciatore has always been one of my favorites.

This single serving chicken cacciatore recipe is based on the recipe I’ve been using for years. It’s real Italian comfort food and the ingredients have been scaled down so that it is the perfect amount to serve one person.

What Is Chicken Cacciatore?

Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. Alla cacciatora refers to a meal prepared “hunter-style”. Chicken cacciatore is typically made with onions, bell peppers, herbs, tomatoes, and wine.

It’s a simple dish that was likely developed to satisfy the appetites of hunters who had been out hunting all day and needed a tasty, hearty stew that could easily be cooked.

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy to make: This chicken cacciatore is very easy to make and is made with easily accessible ingredients.
• Tender and juicy chicken: The chicken is tender and the sauce is extremely flavorful.
• A versatile recipe: You can serve chicken cacciatore over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or enjoy it as a low carb stew without anything additional.
• The perfect amount for one person: This single serving chicken cacciatore recipe yields the perfect amount for one person to enjoy.

Ingredient Notes

See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

• Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this chicken cacciatore recipe as well as in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It’s my favorite type of olive oil to use but you may use a lighter olive oil instead.
• Chicken: Use 1 boneless, skinless chicken thigh. You can use a boneless, skinless chicken breast in this recipe but I recommend using a thigh over a breast. Chicken thighs contain more fat and helps make a thicker, more flavorful sauce.
• Seasonings: Fresh or dried rosemary, salt and black pepper.
• Vegetables: onions, green bell pepper, and garlic. Feel free to substitute other vegetables for the onions and green peppers. Red, yellow or orange bell peppers, carrots, and celery all make great substitutions.
• Wine: Traditionally, wine is used in chicken cacciatore recipes and it gives the dish great flavor. You can replace the wine with chicken broth if necessary. If you choose to use wine, I suggest using a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or an Alsace wine produced in the Alsace region of France. Be sure to pick a wine that you would like to drink.
• Tomatoes: I use canned diced tomatoes with some of the juice from the can.

How To Make This Recipe

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Brown the chicken: Season and brown the chicken. Transfer to a plate, cover and set aside.
2. Soften the vegetables.
3. Add the wine: Simmer until almost all wine has evaporated.
4. Add tomatoes and chicken: Cover and simmer until done.

Expert Tips

• Consider keeping chicken pieces in the freezer so you can easily pull one out, defrost it, and cook it when ready. Look for chicken thighs (or breasts) and purchase them when they’re on sale. Then, immediately divide, individually wrap, and freeze pieces for later use. The USDA recommends freezing chicken breasts no longer than nine months for optimal quality.
• If you have wine leftover, you can freeze it by pouring it into ice cube trays and placing the trays in the freezer. When you want to use a little wine in a recipe, pop out one of the frozen wine cubes and add it to your recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

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