Chicken Cacciatore

There are lots of recipes for Chicken Cacciatore but this one is to die for! This recipe can be done quickly or longer. If you don't have a lot of time then of course you can serve it right after it cooks in the oven. But if you want to go an extra length for this recipe, after the chicken is done in the oven, put it in a slow cooker for few hours in low heat; and what it does is, you chicken will be SO tender and it will fall apart nicely.

INGREDIENTS

6-8 pieces of chicken mix of chicken thighs (and/ or drumsticks)
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 sprig each sage, rosemary and thyme, chopped
1 can pitted black olives
1 to 2 tbsp. tomato paste
3/4 cup red wine
4 pieces of jarred roasted red peppers, sliced
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
2 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley, for garnishing

500 gram of linguini or spaghetti 

PREPARATION

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add 3 tbsp. olive oil. When oil is hot, add chicken and cook until pieces are browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per side.

Add onion, garlic and herbs and sauté until vegetables start to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the olives and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomato paste, stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and bring to a boil. Let reduce for 5 minutes. Add roasted red pepper, diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a boil.

Heat the oven to 350F. Transfer to oven. Bake until chicken is cooked through about 35 to 40 minutes. 

When the chicken is about done in the oven, bring water to boil in a large pot. Season generously with salt. Put the pasta in the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 5-6 minutes. Of course you can always pick it up and taste it or you can do what the Italian does, throw the pasta into the wall and if it sticks, then it's al dente :)

Serve the pasta on a dish and top it with the chicken and the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.

If dinner is still awhile away or you have few extra hours, after the chicken finish in the oven, put it in a slow cooker on low heat for few extra hours. It will make the chicken more tender and the meat will fall apart nicely.

So if you do put the chicken in the slow cooker, then cook the pasta when you are just about ready to eat.

Yield: 4 servings.