Juicy and tender gluten-free chicken cacciatore sautéed slowly over a low heat in an Italian rustic tomato and basil sauce. A ONE-POT little wonder.
Why you are going to love Rustic Chicken Cacciatore
Melt in your mouth chicken with the tangy and vibrant Italian tomato and basil sauce is about to make your heart sing. You are going to just love this rustic chicken cacciatore because just one bite is going to make you feel like you are in Tuscany overlooking the vineyards eating a marvelous meal that a sweet little Italian grandma made just for you.
This rustic chicken cacciatore is so tender and with loads of savory rich tomato basil sauce and is happily gluten-free. It is a snap to put together with just a handful of pantry ingredients.
I miss watching Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network show. All we have here in Hong Kong is the Asian Food Network which is good as many shows help me review my Mandarin language skills. Giada's infectious smile and her delicious cacciatore could light up any room. Giada's chicken cacciatore recipe is so perfect and close to my mom's recipe, there was no need to change a thing. Except, I had to make it gluten-free for me but that was such an easy swap and the flavors and textures are just gorgeous.
Less than 30 Minute Meal
I love these one-pan little wonders that you can get on your table in less than 30 minutes and that includes making a side of sautéed green beans and a salad. For all of you without gluten issues or diabetes, a big hearty piece of artisan bread to soak up all of those rich and delicious tomato and basil sauce is a little bite of heaven.
What is Cacciatore?
Chicken cacciatore is such a rustic looking dish and made from such simple ingredients and that is exactly why I love this dish so much. This dish has been around for centuries. The word "Cacciatore" means hunter in Italian and it was a dish that traditionally something that hunters could easily make out in the forest.
Traditional Way
The traditional way of making rustic chicken cacciatore is with just chicken braised with wine and a few herbs from the forest. Tomatoes were not used back then as you could imagine that would have been a tad bit messy to bring out in the middle of the hunting season, I don't think tupperware was invented yet.
Also, there is no way in heck that the hunters are going to be hauling heavy flour around to dredge their chicken or rabbit to cook. However, men will be men and of course there was always a little room in their rug sack for a bit of wine, so there you have it.
Benefits of cooking with chicken tenderloins
1) Chicken tenderloins require about half of the cooking time compared to chicken on the bone, so I can get dinner on the table in a flash.
2) Going to the wet market here in Hong Kong is not for the faint of heart. Picking out a live chicken at the market and then watching the local butcher do what it needs to do right it in front of you is not my idea of fun. For right now at least, I like my chicken that comes in little pre-packaged saran package that are labeled and has gone through the proper safety checks.
3) I can buy organic chicken tenderloins from Australia or US right here at the local ParknShop and well...they are on display right next to the "local chicken feet".
I know your going to want to add this delicious Italian rustic chicken cacciatore recipe to your monthly rotations as it only uses only a handful of pantry items and you are in business. Get this recipe on your meal plan.
More Delicious Recipes with Chicken Tenderloins
Thai Grilled chickenTenderloins and Zesty Dipping Sauce
Creamy Chipotle Chicken Skillet
Rosemary Chicken with Sautéed Onion Wine Sauce
Feta and Sun-Dried Tomato One Pot Chicken
Mushroom Chicken with Brandy Sauce
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Rustic Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 16 oz chicken tenderloins
about 2 tenderloins per person - salt and pepper
to taste - ½ cup Gluten Free Flour Mix (or can use regular flour if no gluten issues)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper
seeds removed and chopped - 1 onion
medium, peeled and chopped - 3 cloves garlic
peeled and sliced thinly - ¾ cup white wine
- 28 oz canned tomatoes
we used pureed by can use chopped. - ¾ cup chicken broth
reduced sodium/gluten-free (I used homemade stock) - 3 tablespoon capers
- 1.5 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ cup basil fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry your chicken tenderloins. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken tenderloins. Dredge your chicken tenderloins in the flour on both sides and shake off the excess flour. (By all means you can use chicken on the bone such as chicken thighs and breasts and that would be wonderful but will take an extra 10 minutes to cook)
- Place olive oil on the medium high griddle and add your chicken breast to the pan and sear on both sides until lightly golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and add chopped red bell peppers, onions, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Saute until aromatic and translucent. Add the white wine to the pan to deglaze and use your spatula to lift any of the delicious chicken tasty morsels. Reduce the wine until about half. Add the pureed tomatoes, chicken broth, capers, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. (now here is the point that my mom would have usually added just a pinch of sugar to help balance out the acidity of the tomatoes, I did not do that as the tomatoes were sweet and delicious)
- Add the chicken back into the tomato sauce and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until fork tender. (If you decided to use chicken on the bone it may need 10-15 minutes more to cook)
- Serve your delicious rustic chicken cacciatore recipe garnished with fresh chopped basil, a delicious side of sauteed green beans and side salad for a low carb, diabetic friendly meal. (You can also freeze this meal and enjoy another busy work week day)
Gerlinde says
I had a friend that always used to make chicken cacciatore when she invented us for dinner. Your version looks so much better . I have some organic chicken tenderloins in the freezer and I love to try your recipe.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Gerlinde, have a super weekend!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Hunter chicken is one of my favourite dinners for home. Luckily we have a chicken farm up the road from us and I can buy what I need, without having to watch the slaughter process.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Good for you Tandy, fresh and delicious and so easy you could make it whilst out on a hunt!
Dawn says
Yes, I am definitely adding this to my list - looks wonderful!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
This is a great week day meal and also it freezes well too, so you could make once and eat twice. Love that working mom's strategy! 🙂
Eha says
I just love the word 'rustic' as besides sounding homely and comforting, it somehow allows you 'to get away' with cooking spontaneously from your heart! Yes I too remember this being a staple meal in the 70s and 80s and have made 'variations' since but must copy yours next time around . . . do love the flavours 🙂 !
Healthy World Cuisine says
There is nothing like a good old retro meal to make you feel like your have just been hugged by your grandmother. I remember when my mom used to make this but for some reason it seemed to take for ages. This lovely aroma would fill the whole house and it made everyone hungry while we were waiting to eat. Ahhh, food memories! Hope you are doing well Eha!
wok with ray says
Chicken Cacciatore is one of my favortie Italian dish. Yours looks very inviting and flavorful.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Ray!
Raymund says
Look at all that tomatoey goodness, I wanna dunk any bread I can on those. Mmmmmmmm
Robyn says
Oh my, these pics have me drooling, Bobbi! And if you're adopting, I'm in line as well! I have all the ingredients for this dish so I'll have to make it tomorrow. Everything you make is so flavorful and special! I pinned that big pic in the pan before I even got through the post, lol. Fabulous! Sharing all over 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Robyn! Sure come on over I am sure you will not be able to compete with my hungry teenagers appetites. My only suggestion is to grab your portion before it leaves the kitchen as once it is set on the kitchen table you are going to have to fight for your portion... LOL Boys!!! Thanks for sharing
allthatsjas says
Will you please adopt me? Maybe as your second mom, because I'm older than you to be your child. Pretty please? This looks divine and your photos make me wanna lick my screen. Have a fabulous day, my friend!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Sure Jas we can do a swap. I will take you in and you can have a couple of hungry teenagers at your place... LOL Have a super weekend!
kitchenriffs says
I can't remember the last time I had this dish! Chicken Cacciatore used to be a staple in my youth, but its popularity seemed to have faded sometime during the 80s. Time to bring it back! Such a great dish, and yours looks wonderful. Thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
This is a great retro dish. I really do not know why it went out of style as it is a great one-dish little wonder. Have a wonderful weekend John!
The Foodie Affair says
The sauce looks amazing! I know this will be a hit in my house and I can see us all dipping pieces of bread in it too 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Sandra! This dish just begs to be dipped with some rustic hearty bread.
Monica says
This just looks perfect, that's it! : ) I also enjoy Giada's shows and her recipes...they are not too light but satisfying without going overboard unnecessarily. You did her proud with this. It just looks insanely delicious.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Monica! Wishing you a super weekend
Kristy says
I would for sure buy the packaged variety too. I don't think I could watch my dinner butchered in front of me. Too close for comfort. Your dish looks delicious and perfect for summer harvest. And I love one pot meals!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Kristy! The packaged "variety" is a warm welcome compared to the alternative.When the tomatoes are bright and perfect for picking this would be delicious but if you cannot get fresh heirloom tomatoes, a good canned tomato picked at the peak of their freshness from Italy is a great alternative and a pantry item that we generally have around. Have a super weekend!
Jasline @ Foodie Baker says
I made your bacon wrapped sausage stuffed pork tenderloin yesterday and it was superb! But sadly didn't take photo of it because we dig in too fast... and now you are giving me another to-cook recipe! This looks so good, I'll try making it with fresh tomatoes instead!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Jasline I am so glad you gave my bacon wrapped sausage stuffed pork tenderloin and enjoyed it. You just made my day! Using fresh tomatoes would be wonderful. I would score my tomatoes and then blanch them first to remove the skin before adding to the dish so that the sauce maintains it smooth and velvety texture. Take Care
thecompletebook says
Aah yes, one pan wonders are my best. Fabulous flavours here Bam.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Mandy, I love one-pan little wonders too. Life is just busy so having some less than 30 minute go to meals is so important. Take care 🙂
shashi at runninsrilankan says
BAM - I don't need a taste of this rustic chicken cacciatore to "feel like (I am) in Tuscany overlooking the vineyards eating a marvelous meal that a sweet little Italian grandma made just for" me - I can just look at your pictures and drool through my screen at that juicy chicken to feel this way! This sounds incredibly enticing! So much flavor!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks so much Shashi! I hope one day you really can go to Tuscany and enjoy a little rustic chicken cacciatore with a glass of vino and I am sure it will bring a smile to your face. Happy 2 year blogiversay sweet little lady!