• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Somebody Feed Seb
  • Home
  • VEGANUARY
  • MAINS
    • MEAT & POULTRY
    • FISH & SEAFOOD
    • PASTA
    • RISOTTO
    • SALADS & BOWLS
    • SOUP
    • VEGETARIAN
    • VEGAN
    • BUDGET
  • SOURDOUGH
    • ACTIVE STARTER
    • DISCARD
  • DESSERTS & BAKES
    • CAKES & TORTES
    • TARTS & PIES
    • CHEESECAKE
    • COOKIES, BISCUITS, BARS
    • DESSERTS
    • SMALL BAKES
  • BREAKFAST
  • SIDE DISHES
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ABOUT ME
    • CONTACT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » MAINS » MEAT & POULTRY

    Chicken Cacciatore With Polenta

    Published: September 13, 2022 · Updated: September 10, 2022 by Ieva · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Simple, yet hearty and flavoursome, this Italian “hunter’s chicken” recipe is perfect for the colder autumn or winter evenings. A one-pan dish, Chicken alla Cacciatora is easy to prepare and requires minimal hands-on time, and very little washing up! We served our version of Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta Mash – it’s the best pairing!

    Take Me To:
    • What is Chicken Cacciatore?
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
      • For Chicken Cacciatore
      • For Creamy Parmesan Polenta
    • Method
      • STEP 1: Make Chicken Cacciatore
      • STEP 2: Make Creamy Parmesan Polenta
    • What Does Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta Pair Well With?
    • Other Chicken Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost for you! Thank you!

    What is Chicken Cacciatore?

    “Cacciatore” is an Italian word for “hunter.” It is no surprise that Italian hunter’s chicken is a rustic, no-fuss chicken dish that only uses staple ingredients, such as chicken, tomatoes, and simple everyday vegetables. Some versions have wine in the sauce, others add various different vegetables, herbs and spices, but our version can be made with staple ingredients that you’d normally buy in your weekly shop!

    Italian Hunters Chicken on Creamy polenta on a white striped plate with red rim.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    For Chicken Cacciatore

    • chicken thighs: we used boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but more traditionally bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks are used. Note though, that if you are using bone-in chicken, it will take slightly longer to cook. Also, make sure to brown the chicken skin side down properly to render the fat of the chicken skin.
    • brown onion: can be substituted with red or white onion, or even a couple of shallots.
    • carrot: can be substituted with sweet potato or butternut squash cubes.
    • garlic cloves
    • pepper: red, yellow or green.
    • chestnut mushrooms
    • passata: can be substituted with tinned chopped tomatoes. Or simply mix 3 tablespoon of rich concentrated tomato paste with water to make 200ml of passata.
    • chicken stock: can be substituted with vegetable stock.
    • mixed herbs: or Italian seasoning.
    Ingredients for Chicken Cacciatore on a wooden chopping board.

    For Creamy Parmesan Polenta

    • polenta: use medium, if you can. Alternatively, substitute with medium cornmeal.
    • stock: vegetable or chicken stock will be great in this recipe.
    • parmesan: can be substituted with Grana Padano.
    • butter
    Ingredinets for Creamy Parmesan Polenta on a wooden chopping board.

    Method

    STEP 1: Make Chicken Cacciatore

    Heat two tablespoon of odourless oil in a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat. Add the chicken thighs to the pan, sprinkle them with mixed herbs and fry them for approx. 3 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan, cover and keep warm.

    To the chicken pan, add the onions, carrot, pepper and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

    Add the quartered mushrooms and carry on cooking for another 4 minutes.

    Reduce the heat to low and add the passata and stock. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, and add the chicken thighs back in together with any released liquid. Then cover with a lid and leave to cook for approx 20 minutes.

    Chicken thighs covered in tomato and vegetable sauce in a frying pan.

    STEP 2: Make Creamy Parmesan Polenta

    Pour 400 ml of hot vegetable stock into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. In a steady stream, pour the polenta in, whisking continuously. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the parmesan and butter and stir to combine. Adjust the seasoning.

    Parmesan and butter being mixed into the creamy polenta.

    Spoon the polenta into bowls and top with Chicken Cacciatore. Scatter parsley on top to garnish and serve.

    What Does Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta Pair Well With?

    We love serving this Chicken Cacciatore with Creamy Parmesan Polenta, but it tastes absolutely delicious with Creamy Potato Mash or even fluffy white rice.

    But of course, no dish would be complete without some lovely greens. Our Italian Hunter’s Chicken goes exceptionally well with:

    • Tenderstem Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic
    • Lemon and Thyme Spring Greens
    Chicken cacciatore garnished with parsley.

    Other Chicken Recipes

    Who doesn’t like a flavoursome chicken dinner? We know we do! Here are some of our other simple, yet delicious chicken recipes:

    • Quick & Easy Honey Chicken
    • Chicken Limone
    • Chicken with Grapes in Cream & White Wine Sauce
    • Senegalese Chicken Yassa

    Recipe Card

    Chicken alla Cacciatora served on creamy parmesan polenta in a pink bowl.

    Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta

    Simple, yet hearty and flavoursome, this Italian "hunter's chicken" recipe is perfect for the colder autumns or winter evenings. A one-pan dish, Chicken alla Cacciatora is easy to prepare and requires minimal hands on time, and very little washing up! We served our version of Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta Mash – it's the best pairing!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 3 portions
    Calories 759 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For Chicken Cacciatore:

    • 6 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
    • 1 brown onion finely chopped
    • 1 carrot
    • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
    • ½ green pepper chopped
    • 160 g chestnut mushrooms quartered
    • 200 ml passata
    • ½ stock cube + 60 ml boiling water
    • 1 teaspoon mixed herbs

    For Creamy Parmesan Polenta:

    • 150 g medium polenta
    • 600 ml stock hot
    • 60 g parmesan finely grated
    • 1 tablespoon butter

    Instructions
     

    Make Chicken Cacciatore:

    • Heat two tablespoon of odourless oil in a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat. Add the chicken thighs to the pan, sprinkle them with mixed herbs and fry them for approx. 3 minutes on each side. Remove tjem from the pan, cover and keep warm.
    • To the chicken pan, add the onions, carrot, pepper and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
    • Add the quartered mushrooms and carry on cooking for another 4 minutes.
    • Reduce the heat to low and add the passata and stock. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, add the chichen thighs back in together with any released liquid. Then cover with a lid and leave to cook for approx 20 minutes.

    Make Creamy Parmesan Polenta:

    • Pour 400 ml of hot vegetable stock into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. In a steady stream, pour the polenta in, whisking continuously. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the parmesan and butter and stir to combine. Adjust the seasoning.
    • Spoon the polenta into bowls and top with Chicken Cacciatore. Scatter parsley on top to garnish and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 759kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 45gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 222mgSodium: 1173mgPotassium: 1228mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4523IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword Chicken Alla Cacchiatora, Chicken Cacciatore, Hunter’s Chicken, Italian Hunter’s Chicken
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Pin for Pinterest.

    More MEAT & POULTRY

    • Incredible BBQ Chicken Wraps
    • Top 10 Best Chinese Fakeaway Recipes To Try
    • Creamy Chicken Pasanda Curry
    • Pasta Al Forno (Italian Baked Pasta Recipe)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. gunjan

      September 30, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Loved it…so good and so flavorful and perfectly balanced taste. Well explained recipe and my family devoured it.

      Reply
      • Ieva

        October 01, 2022 at 6:29 am

        Thanks for taking the time to leave such wonderful feedback! So glad you all enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    2. Toni

      October 13, 2022 at 1:08 pm

      5 stars
      Such a really perfect fall meal!! This is so good and easy to make! Will have this on our menu all fall long! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Ieva

        October 13, 2022 at 2:55 pm

        Absolutely! We cook it almost every week over fall and winter!

        Reply
    3. Katherine

      November 08, 2022 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken is so good, particularly with the creamy polenta!

      Reply
      • Ieva

        November 09, 2022 at 7:00 am

        Oh yes! Polenta is the best pairing to this chicken, in our opinion!

        Reply
    4. Michelle

      November 16, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love the simple ingredients in this recipe that pack such big flavor!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Ieva lookinf at Seb, both smiling.

    Hi, I am Ieva – the face behind this blog. I live in North Wales with my husband Seb and our golden retriever Sawyer. It’s safe to say that I live and breathe food: from researching and reading about food to creating new recipes and growing vegetables to use in my cooking.  The great thing is, Seb appreciates all the good meals that are also essential at his worst ‘hangry’ moments! Somebody HAS to feed Seb…

    More about me →

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Sourdough Hot Cross Buns
    • Torta Pasqualina: Italian Spinach Pie for Easter
    • Perfect Easter Roast: Apricot Stuffed Leg of Lamb
    • Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder

    Trending Recipes

    • Irresistible No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake (6 Ingredients)
    • Fried Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon (Garlic Broccolini)
    • Sticky Crispy Chicken Bao Buns
    • Homemade Chinese BBQ Sauce Recipe (Char Siu Sauce)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Somebody Feed Seb