Chicken Cacciatore

 INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CHICKEN CACCIATORE:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 3/4 cup dry white wine or low sodium chicken broth
• 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 8 ounces sliced baby bella (cremini) mushrooms
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

FOR SERVING:

• Whole wheat pasta or brown rice, polenta, rice, zucchini noodles, or baked and shredded spaghetti squash
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or similar deep, sturdy pot over medium-high. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Once the oil is hot and shimmering (but not so hot it starts smoking), add the chicken in a single layer. Cook on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes, until browned, moving the chicken as little as possible so that it gets a nice sear. Flip and brown on the other side, about 2 additional minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large, clean plate. The chicken does not need to be cooked through.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
• Add the white wine. Stir and let simmer until the wine is reduced by approximately half, about 3 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes with their juices, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and balsamic vinegar, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Nestle the chicken thighs into the tomato sauce, along with any drippings that have collected on the plate. The chicken should be mostly submerged, though some may peek through.
• Partially cover the pot and let simmer 15 to 20 additional minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the sauce is thickened, and the mushrooms are tender.
• If you’d like to dice or shred the chicken, remove it to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, dice or shred it, then return it to the pot. You also can serve the chicken thighs whole.
• Taste and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper as desired. If you've chopped or shredded the chicken, return it to the sauce and toss to combine and warm through. Otherwise, serve the chicken pieces whole with a generous amount of sauce on top.
• Serve hot over pasta, rice, polenta, or veggie noodles, with a big extra spoonful of sauce and a sprinkle of parsley and Parmesan.