If you’re looking for a healthy chicken dinner that’s full of flavour but wonderfully simple, this Healthy Chicken Cacciatore recipe is a guaranteed winner!
Traditionally known as “hunter’s chicken”, Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Italian dish where chicken is gently simmered with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and vegetables. The result is a rich, comforting sauce that feels indulgent but is actually full of nourishing ingredients.
From a nutritional perspective, this dish ticks many boxes. Chicken provides high-quality protein, tomatoes are rich in lycopene and antioxidants and olive oil contributes beneficial monounsaturated fats commonly associated with the Mediterranean diet.
It’s also the sort of meal that improves with time, making it perfect for batch cooking or leftovers the next day, when the flavours deepen even further.
It’s a perfect example of how simple, traditional cooking often delivers excellent nutrition without complicated ingredients.
Here’s What You’ll Need to Make this Simple, Healthy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
4 chicken breasts or thighs (bone-in or boneless)
Marinade ingredients
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 leeks, washed and cut into thick chunks
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 6-8 sundried tomatoes, cut into slices
- 2 tbsp capers (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tbsp mixed herbs
- 2 Parmesan rinds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Here’s How to Make this Easy Chicken Cacciatore
Cut the chicken breasts into thick slices and add to an oven-proof dish
Add the chicken marinade ingredients and mix well to coat the chicken.
Next, add the leeks and peppers and carefully stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, sundried tomatoes and capers. Season with salt and pepper.
Finally, add the Parmesan rinds to the dish.
Cover the dish and bake in the oven for around 25–30 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Allow it to sit with the lid on for around 15mins before serving to allow the flavours to infuse. Remove the parmesan rind before serving.
Serve this with pasta, rice, roasted potatoes or a mixed salad.
It also stores beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers the next day.
✔ Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days
✔ Freezing: Freezes well for up to 3 months
Why This Chicken Cacciatore Is So Nourishing
This healthy Chicken Cacciatore recipe follows many principles of the Mediterranean diet. It combines high-quality protein from chicken with antioxidant-rich tomatoes, garlic and herbs, all gently cooked in olive oil. Adding the vegetables also boosts the fibre content of the dish as well as providing additional nutrients. The result is a satisfying meal that balances flavour, nutrition and simplicity.
Why Is Chicken Cacciatore healthy?
Chicken Cacciatore can be a very healthy dish when made with simple ingredients such as chicken, tomatoes, garlic, herbs and olive oil. It is naturally high in protein and fits well within a Mediterranean-style diet.
What does Chicken Cacciatore mean?
The word cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. Traditionally, the dish refers to chicken cooked hunter-style with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and vegetables.
What should you serve with Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken Cacciatore can be served with steamed greens, sautéed spinach, a simple salad of greens or roasted potatoes, rice or pasta for a more hearty meal.
Can you freeze Chicken Cacciatore?
Absolutely, Chicken Cacciatore freezes very well. Allow it to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container for up to three months.
Want more healthy family meals? Try this Healthy Meatballs in a Rich Tomato Sauce recipe
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