This rustic Italian chicken leg cacciatore recipe is cooked for 45 minutes on the stovetop. Bone in chicken thighs and drumsticks are simmered in crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic, and herbs.
Chicken leg cacciatore can also be made in a crock-pot on low for 4-6 hours.
Serve rustic Italian chicken cacciatore over spaghetti or zucchini noodles for keto, low carb, gluten free, whole30, and paleo. Add a little Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese if you like.
Tomato Sauce Base For Chicken Leg Cacciatore
Chicken leg cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish that is made in a tomato based sauce. It can include other ingredients such as herbs, onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, capers, wine, Italian seasoning, whatever your heart desires.
Use crushed tomatoes for this chicken leg cacciatore recipe. Crushed tomatoes are a mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce or puree and gives the marinara a lighter texture than straight up tomato sauce.
Chicken Legs, Thighs, Drumsticks For Cacciatore
Use 3 ½ pounds of bone in, skin on chicken legs. This should be around 6 chicken legs.
One chicken leg gives two pieces per person - one chicken thigh and one chicken drum.
Don't like bone in chicken or chicken skin? Buy ~ 2 ½ lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. Follow recipe instructions exactly the same.
Sear Vs. Not Searing Chicken Legs
Searing the chicken legs for cacciatore adds texture and layer to the sauce later.
Having said that it is not necessary to sear the chicken first if you don't want to or don't have the time.
Throw all the ingredients besides the chicken in a pot, bring to a simmer, add the chicken legs and cook covered for 45 minutes.
Ingredients For Rustic Chicken Leg Cacciatore
Chicken skin and bones are very flavorful and add thickness and richness to this rustic cacciatore sauce.
Having said that any dark meat chicken can be used for this cacciatore recipe. Dark chicken meat examples include chicken legs, wings, thighs.
Want to reduce the calories in this Chicken Cacciatore recipe? Don't eat the skin or buy boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
Don't like or have red wine? White wine can also be used or just skip the wine all together.
Add any ingredients to this chicken leg cacciatore recipe to create your dream marinara. Try olives, anchovies, capers, pepperoncinis, celery, carrots, basil, oregano, rosemary, or whatever!
Things In My Kitchen:
- 6 quart cast iron pot - This pot is perfect & affordable for slow cookin' in a dutch oven pot.
- 6 quart programmable crock-pot - Throw everything in, stir, set, and walk away.
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Rustic Chicken Leg Cacciatore (Thighs and Drums)
EatSimpleFood.com
This rustic Italian chicken leg cacciatore recipe is cooked for 45 minutes on the stovetop. Bone in chicken thighs and drumsticks are simmered in crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic, and herbs.
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 ½ lb chicken legs (drums and thighs), skin on, bone in
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ⅔ cup red wine
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes with basil
- basil leaves, as garnish
- salt
- black pepper
- 1lb pasta, cooked according to instructions or zucchini noodles or gluten free pasta
Instructions
- Salt and pepper the chicken.
- Bring a large stockpot to medium high heat and add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Sear the chicken 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown. You may need to do this in batches. Set seared chicken aside on a plate or bowl. (Searing chicken is optional).
- Reduce heat to medium and add onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook covered ~ 6 minutes or until onions are translucent and liquid has cooked off .
- Add garlic and a little olive oil if needed and cook an additional 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Stir in Italian seasoning.
- Add chicken back to pot.
- Add wine and cook uncovered ~ 5 minutes or until reduced by half.
- Add crushed tomatoes and stir.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered ~ 45 minutes or until chicken is tender.
- Add salt to taste and garnish with basil.
Notes
- Want to reduce the calories in this recipe? Don't eat the skin or buy skinless chicken thighs instead.
- Don't want the chicken skin? Two options 1) buy boneless skinless chicken thighs or 2) cook the recipe as is and the skin will fall off the chicken easily when it's done cooking. Remove the chicken skin then.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Crockpot / Instapot / Braised
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Comfort Food, Dairy-Free, Gluten Free
Serving Suggestion
Serve this chicken leg cacciatore recipe with one of the following Italian inspired recipes to round out your dinner:
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