Chicken Cacciatore
Inspired by my beautiful mum and lovingly nicknamed “Nana’s red chicken” by my kids, this Chicken Cacciatore is fall-off-the-bone tender, simmered in a rustic Italian sauce bursting with sweet, herby tomato flavour. A true classic and a Wholesome Human kitchen staple, it’s irresistibly delicious and simple enough for everyday cooking.
Nutritional Profile
Wholesome Human Hero Ingredient: Tomatoes
Tomatoes offer several research-backed benefits for the brain, heart, and gut. They’re a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, and powerful antioxidant, most notably lycopene, the natural pigment that gives tomatoes their vibrant red colour. Lycopene helps protect DNA, lipids, and proteins from oxidative damage and may play a role in cancer prevention.
Heating tomatoes and pairing them with healthy fats, like Extra Virgin Olive Oil—as in this Chicken Cacciatore recipe—can significantly boost lycopene absorption in the body.
Passata is another great way to include tomatoes in your diet. Common in Italian cooking, it’s made from tomatoes with the skin and seeds removed, making it a lectin-free option.
Ingredients
- 8-10 free-range chicken drumsticks or chicken thighs skin removed, fat trimmed
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp mixed dried Italian herbs
- 8 button mushrooms, diced
- ½ cup tomato passata, organic
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp true cinnamon
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted (optional)
- 1 tbs chicken bone broth concentrate or 1 tsp chicken broth concentrate
- Season well with fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- HEAT the oil, onion and garlic in a large nonstick, ceramic pan and cook till the onion is translucent.
- BROWN the chicken, then add all the remaining ingredients and cover on medium to low heat till the chicken is cooked through, approx. 45mins.
- SERVE with steamed greens, mashed sweet potato or any veggie mash or a fresh Mediterranean green salad.
- Swap the chicken drumsticks for chicken thigh fillets or chicken lovely legs, fat trimmed.
This recipe is:
Health Benefits:
- Heart Health
- Fatigue Support
- Antioxidant Rich
- General Wellbeing
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