Introduction
Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting Italian-inspired chicken dish packed with rich tomato flavour, tender chicken, and colourful vegetables. Slowly cooked with herbs and a savoury sauce, this recipe creates a deliciously warming meal that is perfect for a family dinner. Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore is simple to prepare, full of flavour, and pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Equipment
- Large deep frying pan or skillet with a lid
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring jug
- Garlic press (optional)
- Serving spoon
- Large serving dish or plates
Table of Contents
Ingredient
Ingredients for Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore Recipe:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Chicken thighs or chicken legs | 4–8 pieces |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Plain flour | 15g (½ oz) |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Onion | 1, finely chopped |
| Carrot | 1, finely chopped |
| Celery stick | 1, finely chopped |
| Garlic cloves | 2, chopped or crushed |
| Red bell pepper | 1, sliced |
| Yellow bell pepper | 1, sliced |
| Mixed wild mushrooms | 200g |
| Pancetta (optional) | 70g, diced |
| Chopped tomatoes | 400g |
| Tomato purée | 2 tbsp |
| Chicken stock | 400–500ml |
| Dry red wine (Chianti preferred) | 200ml |
| Sugar (optional) | 1 tsp |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
| Dried basil | 1 tsp |
| Dried thyme | 1 tsp |
| Fresh rosemary sprigs | 2 |
| Dried chillies (optional) | 2 |
| Baby capers | 1 tbsp |
| Black olives, pitted | 100g |
| Fresh flat-leaf parsley | 1 handful, chopped |
Methods
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan) or 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof casserole or deep frying pan over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, lightly coat it with flour, then brown it on all sides until golden. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pan, cook the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and peppers until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, tomato paste, chicken stock, sugar, oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Pour in the red wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the sauce over it, then add the dried chillies, capers, and black olives if using. Cover with a lid or foil.
- Bake for 35–50 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Remove the lid for the last 10 minutes if you want a thicker, richer sauce with a lightly crisp finish.
- Skim off any excess fat, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve hot with your favourite side, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, white bean mash, or crusty bread.
What Does Cacciatore Mean?
The word Cacciatore means hunter, and it describes a hunter-style meal in Italian cooking. It is a traditional meat dish made with simple ingredients that were easy to find in the countryside. This rustic dish, also known as a countryside dish, is a traditional Italian recipe that follows a classic preparation method using tomatoes, onions, herbs, bell peppers, vegetables, and wine to create a deep and rich flavor.
From my experience, this style of Italian home cooking has remained one of the most loved dishes because it turns everyday ingredients into a satisfying meal. The slow cooking brings everything together naturally, making the recipe both comforting and full of authentic character without needing complicated techniques.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, classic mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or white bean mash for a filling starchy side.
- Pair with pasta, tagliatelle, pappardelle pasta, or steamed rice.
- Enjoy with crusty bread or warm garlic bread to soak up the dipping sauce.
- These sides complement the rich tomato flavours and wine flavours of the dish.
- For a lighter meal, serve with a fresh green salad, steamed green beans, or garlic green beans.
- These additions create a balanced meal with tender chicken, great texture, and vibrant color.
- Make a smooth white bean mash using butter beans, cannellini beans, haricot beans, mashed beans, and bean purée.
- Add olive oil, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, crushed garlic, and a rosemary sprig for extra flavour.
- Mix in lemon zest from an unwaxed lemon with finely grated zest for a fresh citrus flavour.
- Finish with a little drizzling oil to create a silky creamy mash with a glossy appearance.
For the White Bean Mash
A homemade white bean mash is one of the easiest sides to prepare with this recipe. Start with butter beans, cannellini beans, or haricot beans. Once the drained beans and rinsed beans are ready, turn them into mashed beans or a smooth bean purée. I like adding olive oil, a little extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, crushed garlic, and a rosemary sprig because they give the mash a wonderful aroma.
To brighten the flavour, mix in lemon zest from an unwaxed lemon with finely grated zest. This adds a fresh citrus flavour and creates a silky creamy mash with a lovely creamy texture. Finish with a little drizzling oil for a glossy appearance, and you have a simple yet balanced side dish that works perfectly with the rich sauce.
For the Garlic Green Beans
Fresh garlic green beans are a quick way to balance the richness of the chicken. Cook the green beans until they are tender but still crisp, then melt butter and gently cook a garlic clove with sliced garlic. I also like adding a pinch of chilli flakes because they give just enough warmth without overpowering the dish.
Toss the beans in the garlic mixture until they become fragrant, then serve them as seasoned vegetables or a simple vegetable side dish. They add freshness, bright color, and help create a balanced meal that complements the chicken beautifully.
Chicken Cacciatore with White Bean Mash
If you want a meal that feels both hearty and simple, try Chicken Cacciatore with a creamy white bean mash. It is easy to prepare in less than 30 mins, then cook in about 30 mins to 1 hour, and it serves 4 people. This dietary friendly option is naturally egg-free and nut-free, making it suitable for many families. I enjoy making this warming, comforting, classic Italian chicken casserole because the addition of wild mushrooms and a splash of chianti gives it extra flavour without making the recipe complicated.
From my experience, the smooth bean mash balances the rich tomato sauce perfectly and makes the meal feel complete. Whether you cook it for a weekend dinner or a family gathering, this combination delivers the comforting taste that makes Chicken Cacciatore so popular.
Storage
- Follow safe food storage by not leaving the dish at room temperature for too long.
- Cool promptly after cooking before storing.
- Place leftovers in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate in the refrigerator or fridge.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- The flavours improve by the next day.
- Reheat thoroughly until the dish is piping hot before serving.
- For long-term preservation, use a freezer-safe container.
- You can also freeze portions for quick future meals.
- The recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Use gentle reheating or stove reheating to maintain the texture, flavor, and sauce.
Nutrition
- Check the nutrition facts, nutritional information, nutrition values, and dietary values to understand the dish’s nutritional profile.
- The recipe provides calories (kcal), carbohydrates, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, natural sugars, protein, fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
- These details help when planning balanced meals.
- Nutrition is usually calculated per serving.
- This recipe makes 4 servings.
- The ingredients used and cooking methods may slightly affect the estimated values.
- Treat the nutrition information as a helpful guide, not an exact measurement.
- A typical serving contains about 420 kcal.
- Each serving provides around 14g carbohydrates.
- Each serving contains about 34g protein.
- Each serving has approximately 24g fat.
- It also includes around 6g saturated fat.
- Each serving contains about 620mg sodium.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
A: Yes. You can use chicken breasts, but reduce the cooking time so the meat stays tender and moist. Always check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
Q: Can I make Chicken Cacciatore without using the oven?
A: Yes. You can cook it using hob cooking or stovetop cooking instead of the oven. Simply simmer gently for about 35–40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Q: How should I store leftovers?
A: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator, or freeze leftovers for a future meal. They keep well for up to 3 months.
Q: What can I use instead of mushrooms?
A: Replace mushrooms with bell pepper or sliced zucchini to add more texture and vegetables.
Q: Can I make Chicken Cacciatore in a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Cook it in a slow cooker on the LOW setting for 6–7 hours or on the HIGH setting for 3–4 hours. Slow cooking develops a rich flavor and deep flavor.
Q: Why is sugar added to the sauce?
A: A little sugar helps balance the acidity of canned tomatoes, reduces the acidic taste, and brings out the natural sweetness of the peppers and onions.
Q: What makes Chicken Cacciatore a hunter-style dish?
A: It is a classic hunter-style meat dish that is rich, comforting, and full of flavour.