Why This Italian Chicken Dish Stands Out
The Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore recipe is a wonderful Italian-inspired meal that brings together everything people love about a traditional Italian chicken dish. This rustic recipe is known as a hunter-style dish and a classic Italian casserole, combining tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and fragrant herbs in a deeply flavored rich tomato sauce. The combination creates a delicious tomato-based dish with a balanced savoury sauce, gentle tangy sauce, and plenty of garlic flavour throughout.
From my experience, this Italian recipe works especially well when you need an easy meal that feels special without requiring complicated techniques. The slow cooking transforms the meat into juicy chicken and tender chicken, while the wine sauce adds extra depth. Whether served as a family dinner, one-pot dinner, one-pot family dinner, weeknight dinner, or relaxed weekend dinner, this comforting meal delivers the warmth of a traditional countryside dish. As a hearty chicken casserole and true comfort food, it offers a hearty meal with manageable preparation time and cooking time, taking about 1 hour from start to finish.
IngredientsÂ
| Category | Ingredients |
| Chicken Options | chicken thighs, chicken legs, bone-in chicken, skin-on chicken, drumsticks |
| Cooking Fats | olive oil, extra-virgin olive oil |
| Meat Addition | pancetta |
| Vegetables & Aromatics | onion, chopped onion, carrot, celery, celery stick, garlic cloves, crushed garlic, chopped garlic |
| Peppers | red pepper, yellow pepper, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, bell peppers |
| Sauce Ingredients | chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, tomato paste, chicken stock, fresh chicken stock, white wine, dry white wine, red wine, chianti, sugar |
| Herbs | dried oregano, dried basil, thyme, fresh thyme leaves, dried thyme, rosemary, rosemary sprigs |
| Mushrooms | mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, button mushrooms, wild mushrooms, mixed wild mushrooms |
| Flavor Enhancers | dried chillies, baby capers, black olives, pitted olives |
| Seasonings | salt, freshly ground black pepper, black pepper, seasoning |
| Garnish | parsley, flat-leaf parsley, fresh parsley, garnish |
How To Make Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Start by prepare oven and preheat oven to 190°C, 170°C fan, or 375°F. Place the dish on the oven shelf for even cooking. To build flavor, heat olive oil in a skillet, deep skillet, frying pan, casserole dish, or ovenproof casserole over medium-high heat. Season chicken, place it skin-side down in a hot pan, and brown chicken until the golden skin develops a beautiful crispy skin. Flip chicken, then remove to plate. Next, sauté vegetables, cook onion, cook peppers, and allow the softened vegetables to develop sweetness before you add garlic, add mushrooms, and sprinkle flour. Stir to thicken base, stir well, and cook flour long enough to remove any raw flour taste.
Now add liquids and add aromatics by adding chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato purée, stock, sugar, oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Pour wine, scrape pan to lift the flavorful browned bits, then bring to boil and simmer sauce until you have a thickened sauce. Assemble dish, return chicken, and leave the nestling chicken in the sauce while you spoon sauce over the top. Cover with lid or cover with foil, reduce heat to low heat, then simmer gently or bake for 35 minutes to 35-40 minutes until you have tender chicken and fully cooked chicken. To finish sauce, remove lid near the end for a thicker sauce, richer sauce, and better crispy texture. Finally, skim excess fat, garnish parsley, and serve hot.
Tips for Better Flavor and Texture
For the best results, use chicken thighs rather than chicken breast or other breast meat cuts. In my experience, they stay more chicken tender and create naturally juicy chicken because braising supports better moisture retention during longer cooking. If you notice a thin sauce, try uncovered cooking for the final few minutes so the excess liquid can evaporate and help reduce sauce naturally. This simple cooking technique often creates a richer finish without much extra effort.
One trick I often use is to make ahead the dish a day in advance, as the flavour improves after some resting time. For extra sauce enhancement, add olives, mushrooms, or a splash of red wine. A little wine can add robust depth, while some cooks prefer a lighter flavour profile. Both Northern Italian style and Southern Italian style versions of traditional cacciatore are delicious, and if you prefer a thick sauce or even a light gravy, simply boil sauce for a few extra minutes before serving.
What Does Cacciatore Mean?
The word Cacciatore means hunter in Italian and is commonly used to describe a hunter-style meal in Italian cooking. Traditionally, it refers to a meat dish prepared with simple ingredients that were easy to find in the countryside. This style became popular because it combined tomatoes, onions, herbs, bell peppers, and other fresh vegetables to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.
In the context of the Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore Recipe, the name reflects a traditional Italian recipe with a classic preparation method. The dish is often considered a rustic dish and a true countryside dish, where meat is slowly cooked with wine and vegetables to develop rich flavor. From my experience, understanding the meaning behind the name helps you appreciate why this recipe remains one of the most loved dishes in Italian home cooking.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily it pairs with different side dishes and accompaniments. For a comforting meal, serve it with buttery mashed potatoes, classic mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or a smooth white bean mash. These options work as the perfect starchy side, soaking up the delicious sauce and bringing out the rich tomato flavours. If you prefer something more traditional, pasta, tagliatelle, or pappardelle pasta make an excellent meal pairing with the tender chicken.
For a lighter plate, I often choose steamed rice with a fresh green salad. You can also serve steamed green beans or flavorful garlic green beans alongside the dish for extra texture and color. A slice of crusty bread or warm garlic bread is ideal for enjoying every bit of the sauce, especially when used for dipping sauce. From my experience, these combinations help balance both the wine flavours and the rich tomato-based sauce without overpowering the main dish.
For the White Bean Mash
A smooth white bean mash is one of my favorite sides for this recipe because it adds a creamy texture without overpowering the chicken. Start with butter beans, cannellini beans, or haricot beans. Once the drained beans and rinsed beans are ready, blend or mash them into soft mashed beans. Add olive oil, a little extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, crushed garlic, and a fragrant rosemary sprig to build flavor. This simple combination creates a rich and satisfying bean purée that pairs beautifully with the sauce.
To brighten the mash, mix in lemon zest from an unwaxed lemon along with some finely grated zest. The fresh citrus flavour balances the richness and helps create a silky creamy mash. Just before serving, finish with a light drizzling oil over the top for extra flavor and a glossy appearance. From my experience, this side dish absorbs the sauce wonderfully while keeping the meal light and balanced.
For the Garlic Green Beans
A simple serving of garlic green beans can add freshness and color to this rich chicken dish. Start by cooking green beans until they are just tender but still slightly crisp. In a separate pan, melt a little butter and gently cook a garlic clove with some sliced garlic until fragrant. This quick method brings out a delicious flavor that complements the tomato-based sauce without overpowering it.
To finish, toss the beans with the garlic mixture and add a pinch of chilli flakes for gentle heat. The result is a plate of flavorful seasoned vegetables that works perfectly as a vegetable side dish. From my experience, this easy bean side dish provides a nice contrast to the rich chicken and helps create a more balanced meal.
Storage
For safe food storage, do not leave the dish at room temperature for too long. Instead, cool promptly after serving and refrigerate any leftovers. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator or fridge for up to 3 days. In my experience, the flavours improve by the next day, making the leftovers even more enjoyable. When serving again, reheat thoroughly until the dish is piping hot.
If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the dish in a freezer-safe container or freeze portions for easy meals later. This recipe freezes beautifully and keeps well for up to 3 months. Before serving, thaw overnight in the fridge and continue with gentle reheating. I usually prefer stove reheating because it helps maintain the texture and flavor of the sauce while supporting long-term preservation.
Nutrition Facts
Understanding the nutritional information of this recipe can help you plan balanced meals without sacrificing flavor. The dish provides a good amount of protein while also containing carbohydrates, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and natural sugars from the vegetables and sauce ingredients. It also includes fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, all of which contribute to the overall nutritional profile. When reviewing nutrition values, it is useful to look at the complete picture rather than focusing on a single nutrient.
These dietary values are usually calculated per serving, with many recipes designed for 4 servings. The exact number of calories and kcal can vary depending on the ingredients used and the cooking methods chosen. From my experience, small changes in ingredients or preparation can slightly affect the final estimated values, so nutrition figures should be treated as a helpful guide rather than an exact measurement.
Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore Recipe (FAQs)
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes. You can use chicken breasts, but reduce the cooking time to keep the meat tender and moist. Always make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
Can I make Chicken Cacciatore without using the oven?
Yes. Hob cooking or stovetop cooking works very well. Simply simmer the dish gently until the chicken becomes tender. It is an easy alternative to baking.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also freeze leftovers for a future meal.
What can I use instead of mushrooms?
If you do not like mushrooms, replace them with an extra bell pepper or sliced zucchini. Both options help add texture and bulk up the vegetables.
Can I make Chicken Cacciatore in a slow cooker?
Yes. After preparing the ingredients, cook the dish on the LOW setting for 6–7 hours or on the HIGH setting for 3–4 hours. Slow cooking helps develop a rich and deep flavor.
Why do some recipes add sugar to the sauce?
Canned tomatoes can sometimes taste acidic. A small amount of sugar helps balance the acidity and enhances the natural sweetness of the peppers and onions.
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Mary Berry Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) or 170°C fan.
- Heat olive oil in a large casserole dish over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then brown on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the onion and bell peppers until softened.
- Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking for another 2–3 minutes.
- Sprinkle over the flour and stir well.
- Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, sugar, thyme, rosemary, capers, and olives.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the pan and spoon some sauce over the top.
- Cover and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Remove the lid for the final 10 minutes if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts during long cooking.
- Add a splash of red wine for a deeper flavor.
- The dish tastes even better the next day.
- Remove the lid near the end for a richer, thicker sauce.
