Chicken Cacciatore – Tender and Juicy, Every Single Time

If you enjoy the videos we make; buy us a cup of tea: https://ko-fi.com/glenandfriendscooking How to Make Chicken Cacciatore: The Ultimate Flexible Weeknight Recipe In this episode of Glen And Friends Cooking, we’re diving into a dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious: Chicken Cacciatore. This "non-recipe" recipe is a household staple around the world, and today, Glen shows you how to make it your own using simple ingredients and a few flavorful twists. What You’ll Learn in This Video: Browning for Flavour: Why starting with bacon fat and browning your chicken leg quarters makes all the difference. The "Cook’s Choice" Philosophy: How to swap ingredients like zucchini, mushrooms, and different types of peppers based on what's in your fridge. The Secret to Crispy Skin: Glen’s tips for finishing your braised chicken in the oven at 375°F to ensure that skin stays perfectly crispy while the meat remains tender and juicy. Wine vs. No Wine: A look at how white wine lifts the flavours of the dish and what easy substitutes you can use if you prefer to cook without alcohol. Key Ingredients & Substitutions: Protein: Chicken leg quarters (but we’ve done this with sausage and shrimp too!) Aromatics: Onions, garlic, and fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme). The Sauce: Canned tomatoes, white wine (or chicken stock with a splash of vinegar), and sweet bell peppers. The Kick: Pickled hot peppers (peperoncini piccanti) and mild banana peppers for acidity and depth. Serving Suggestions: This hearty braise is perfect served over creamy polenta, rice, or even cheesy grits. Don't forget a sprinkle of hard Italian cheese on top! Why This Recipe Works: Cooking isn't always about strict tradition—it’s about flavor and what works for your family. Whether you add capers, olives, or extra zucchini, this Chicken Cacciatore is designed to be a simple, tasty, and repeatable weeknight meal. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome to Glen And Friends Cooking 0:42 Starting with Bacon Fat & Browning the Chicken 2:22 The Philosophy of Tradition vs. Taste 3:08 Sautéing Zucchini & Mushrooms 5:20 Deglazing with White Wine 6:25 Adding the Peppers & Herbs 8:06 Tomatoes & Oven Finishing 9:10 The Taste Test: Crispy Skin & Juicy Chicken #ChickenCacciatore #GlenAndFriends #CookingTutorial #EasyWeeknightMeals #ItalianInspired #ChickenRecipe #ComfortFood Chicken Cacciatore Recipe pollo alla cacciatora INGREDIENTS Oil for frying 1 Kg (2 pounds) chicken 1-2 zucchini, sliced 2 medium onions, sliced 2-3 garlic cloves, minced Salt and pepper to taste 250g (½ pound) mushrooms, sliced 250 mL (1 cup) white wine Crushed red pepper flakes to taste* 3-4 mild pickled peppers, chopped 2- 3 sweet bell peppers, sliced 1 - 796 mL (28-oz) can tomatoes 15 mL (1 Tbsp) Italian seasoning, optional Method: Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a heavy pan or braiser over medium high heat, brown the chicken in a little oil. Remove the browned chicken from the pan, adjust the oil and sauté the zucchini, onions, and garlic until the onions are translucent. Seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Add in the mushrooms and continue cooking until mushrooms have lost most of their moisture. Pour in the wine and cook, stirring occasionally until liquid has reduced by ⅔. Stir in red pepper flakes, pickled peppers, and other seasoning if using. Add the chicken back to the pan, along with the sweet peppers and tomatoes. Place in the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through; 30-40 minutes. This method is infinitely variable and I encourage you to swap in your fave veggies, and seasoning. I used chopped hot peppers packed in oil. More info about Hope Air: https://hopeair.ca/ 2026 Hope Air Donation: http://www.hopeair.ca/glen Here is the link to our Apron: https://searchandrescuedenim.com/prod... https://searchandrescuedenim.com/GLEN... Discount code to be used at checkout: GLENANDFRIENDSCOOKING Buy us a cup of tea: https://ko-fi.com/glenandfriendscooking Help us out with a PayPal donation: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... Join this channel:    / @glenandfriendscooking   This channel is nothing without you our viewers! Thanks for watching the Old Cookbook Show and our Historical Cooking. #LeGourmetTV #GlenAndFriendsCooking Check out our Aviation and Flying Channel:    / glenshangar