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Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatore)

Author: Roz

Ingredients

  • 1 large plump chicken (4 - 5 pounds), cut up, completely rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
  • 2 cups flour
  • freshly cracked salt and pepper
  • 2 large garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. minced rosemary leaves
  • 6 - 10 fresh sage leaves minced
  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 3 carrots sliced on the diagonal
  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • 2 red peppers cut into 1" pieces
  • 5 cups homemade marinara sauce or high-quality jar of marinara sauce
  • ½ cup white wine

Optional

  • mushrooms
  • artichokes
  • black olives

Garnish

  • Sprigs of rosemary or Italian parsley

Instructions

  • Cut the whole chicken up (separate breasts, thighs and drumsticks) and thoroughly rinse and dry.
  • Remove skin if desired (I remove the skin from the breasts that I prefer and leave the skin on the thighs and drumsticks that my husband prefers).
  • Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and lightly coat with flour.
  • Heat olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat.
  • On medium heat, saute' garlic until golden brown.
  • Add the coated chicken pieces on one layer in the pan, skin side down.
  • Add the rosemary and sage; sprinkling evenly all over the chicken.
  • Fry until golden brown, turning only once or twice, about 15 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a large plate/platter and set aside.
  • On medium-low heat, using the same pan with olive oil and sautéed garlic, add the onions, carrots, celery and red peppers.
  • Cook until barely soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the marinara/tomato sauce.
  • Add the wine.
  • Cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Salt to taste (it needs it).
  • Return the chicken to the pan of vegetables and reduce the heat to low, partially covering the pan with a lid, stirring a few times.
  • Place in a large casserole baking dish and bake for 35 - 45 minutes on 350 degrees F.
  • Baste the chicken throughout the baking period with the sauce.
  • Add water if the sauce becomes to thick for your preference.
  • Garnish with rosemary and/or Italian parsley.
  • Serve immediately with crusty Italian bread or with soft or fried polenta.