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Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore has the most amazing creamy red sauce with peppers, mushrooms, and fresh basil. The chicken is tender and juicy and on the dinner table in 30 minutes!
Warm your home with this flavorful dish that brings out all the feel goods. The wonderful smell will draw everyone to the kitchen within minutes. Unstuffed Pepper Skillet, Italian Orzo and Sausage Skillet or Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet are a few one skillet meals for you to enjoy!
Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
I realized that it is getting pretty close to the babies arrival so we have been going full force trying to get everything ready to go. We have been finishing our basement which has been quite the project. We are only about 3 weeks away from having it completed and I can’t wait to have a fun space for the family once baby arrives.
Right now we have both of our girls bedrooms next to each other but one of the rooms is used as a playroom. All of this will move to a playroom that we made in the basement and we will be able to put the babies room together. We are cutting it really close but that seems how life is! I ordered the babies furniture finally and I am starting to envision this sweet little girl that will be coming to our home. It is starting to feel more real!
We have been so busy with our basement and life in general that I love when I can make a delicious and easy recipe for the family. Chicken Cacciatore is one of my favorites. It is such a classic recipe with its red sauce with mushrooms, basil, and served over hot pasta. I customized the sauce to our families taste… bring on the creaminess, and it was a huge success!
How Do You Make Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore?
- Season the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat to medium high.
- Cook the chicken about 3 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees and brown on each side. Set aside the chicken on the plate.
- Add one tablespoon olive oil to the skillet and add the garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Sauté until tender.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer until thickened.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet until heated through. Serve over hot pasta and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
What Does Cacciatore mean?
Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. In cuisine, alla cacciatora refers to a meal prepared “hunter-style” with onions, herbs, usually tomatoes, often bell peppers, and sometimes wine. Cacciatore is popularly made with braised chicken or rabbit.
You might be getting some quick and easy meals from here on out from the preggo Recipe Critic. But I still enjoy cooking for my family. But thats the thing! You don’t have to make it difficult to give your family a restaurant quality meal. And this meal is made in just one pot and on the dinner table in just 30 minutes!
Can You Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Slow Cooker?
Yes! This is a great slow cooker meal!
- Lightly brown the chicken in a skillet. Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Add the Italian Seasoning on top of the chicken.
- Continue to sauté the following ingredients for the sauce.
- Once cooked, you will add the sauce to the slow cooker on top of the chicken.
- Cook on low 4 to 6 hours until the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can You Make Chicken Cacciatore Ahead of Time?
Yes! This is a great recipe that can be made ahead of time. It reheats well too!
What is the Best Way to Reheat Chicken Cacciatore?
- Microwave: Place leftovers in a microwave safe container. Heating 1 minute at a time.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place leftovers in an oven safe baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 15 to 20 minutes until warm.
- Stove top: Place leftovers in a cooking pan and cover with lid. Cook over medium heat until warm. Stirring occasionally.
Does Chicken Cacciatore Freeze Well?
Yes! Although, I recommend making this dish fresh and reheating within the week for best results. This does make a great freezer meal too. Using an airtight container to store it or a freezer safe bag works best when freezing. When ready to reheat the Chicken Cacciatore, thaw the freezer package, then chose a reheating method from above.
What Goes Well With Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore?
Semolina pasta, gnocchi, rice or egg noodles are great! Large cut, lightly seasoned roasted potatoes to decorate the dish look professional. A side of spinach or broccoli quickly sautéed in a bit of olive oil, butter and garlic can add some variety too!
Not only is this red sauce perfectly creamy, it has tender peppers, fresh basil, mushrooms and the perfect blend of spices. Add some tender and juicy pan fried chicken and serve it over some pasta and you have the perfect meal.
You guys are going to love this quick and easy skillet meal!
Looking For More Chicken Recipes? Here Are Some!
- Creamy Chicken Marsala
- Lemon Garlic butter Herb Chicken and Asparagus
- Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken
- No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Easy Baked Cheesy Mushroom Chicken
Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow pepper
- 8 ounce mushrooms sliced
- 15 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- freshly grated parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat to medium high.
- Cook the chicken about 3 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees and brown on each side. Set aside the chicken on the plate.
- Add one tablespoon olive oil to the skillet and add the garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Sauté until tender.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer until thickened.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet until heated through. Serve over hot pasta and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Serves: 4
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Made this tonight and really enjoyed it! A nice and easy “comfort meal”. I cut up a whole red pepper and half a yellow pepper. My daughter told me to put in more peppers next time! I do wish it gave a little bit more sauce. Seemed as soon as I put the chicken back into the pan, the sauce drastically lessened. ?
Thank you for yet another recipe, Alyssa! Can’t wait to see which one I will try next!
What kind of Italian seasoning would you specifically recommend? I am gonna try this for the first time and want to use the right one 😀 Can’t wait to make it, looks so delicious!
I love McCormick Italian Seasoning. Enjoy! It is a delicious recipe!
Great recipe Alyssa!
Thanks,
Alan
Can you substitute something for the mushrooms I’m allergic
You are welcome to omit the mushrooms.
Can’t do bell peppers of any sort, but really want to try this recipe. Saw someone added zucchini and that’s an idea. Also maybe onions — any other ideas?? Thanks so much for your help. Love your recipes and how FAST they are, not to mention always a hit!! You are a life saver!!
Aw! Thanks! That is really sweet of you! I am glad that you have found some recipes that you love! Zucchini, green beans or asparagus work great for this. Hope that helps!
Can i use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Should i brown the chicken, saute the vegetables before adding to the slow cooker?
Thanks
Yes, of course! That sounds delicious. I would add it all together in the slow cooker. I have not tried it this way. Let me know what you think and what you did! Thanks so much for following along with me!
Can you use half and half in by chance? Don’t want to head to store.
Yes, that will work with this recipe.
Hubs and I LOVED this. I modified slightly to use the ninja cooker. I used thighs and after browning and sautéing all ingredients I gave it a few hours on low on slow cook setting. I will definitely make this again.
The chicken cacciatore recipe is so good. I followed every ingredient and instruction and the dish came out so great. My family loved it. Thank you.
My family loved it! Used sphaghettti squash jnstead if noodles. We have tried a few recipes from your site and all have been hits!
Thank You very much!
Thank you for this easy and yummy recipe. I made this last night for a family dinner and it was a huge hit! I threw in a little zucchini and added a little extra cream. A salad and garlic bread and done! Super easy – and directions were very easy to follow, this is definitely a keeper!!
A-ma-zing! Don’t skimp on the spice.
I made this for family dinner Sunday night and everyone loved it. I used a jar of vodka sauce in place of the cream and crushed tomatoes, which made it even easier.e. I served it with polenta instead of pasta and everyone cleaned their plates. Great recipe and so easy.
P.S. I agree the comment re “1/4 cup of what” was both silly and rude.. Play nice like mom said.
Hi Alyssa. I had mushrooms, chicken and basil to use up and as Saturday night is usually pasta night, I searched Pinterest where I came across your recipe. I’m so glad I did. Everyone commented on how lovely it was and it’s something a bit different to what we usually have.
That is AWESOME to hear!! Thank you SO much for letting me know! I am so glad you found my recipes and loved it! Thanks for following along with me! XOXO
Dying to try this recipe!! It looks absolutely delicious! Can I eliminate the heavy cream as my husband and I are dairy free?
I have never tried it without the heavy cream. It may work out great; however, it may not be as thick and the flavor may be different. Let me know how it turns out! Happy Cooking!
Your Recipe Critic,
Alyssa
One could use coconut milk or any nut milk in place of heavy cream. Also, just pureeing cashews with a little water (assuming you have a Vitamin or equal) would provide the creaminess without the dairy
That sounds great! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Alyssa,
I am going to make this in my slow cooker today, for my daughter to pick up when she finishes work and picks up our grandgirls ☺ Is it ok to add the cream to the sauce for the 4-6 hours it takes to cook? It won’t curdle will it? Thanks from Oz ?
I would wait on the sauce so it does not curdle.
I cannot use dairy either, I use white wine, and it gives it such a good flavor, add when I add the peppers about quarter to 3/4 a cup.
We are dairy free in my household so I also sub out the heavy cream for full fat coconut milk from a can, you would never know the difference, plan on making this tomorrow and giving it a whirl! 🙂
Using coconut cream or oat cream ought to work for creaminess and still keep it dairy free.
This was wonderful. I also appreciate using the crushed tomatoes to help the recipe come together more quickly. Another recipe to save. Thank you~!
Hi Alyssa, I just love Chicken Cacciatore but never made it with Chicken Breasts. Can I substitute Chicken Thighs and Legs in this recipe. Everything else looks very tasty and
most willing to give it a try. I might have to put a cover on the pot for a few minutes to help
with the melding of the thighs and legs. Will let you know how it turns out….
Yes you can! Both ways would be delicious!
Great recipe. I also use crushed tomatoes. 🙂
This looks absolutely incredible! Love the idea of adding a creamy element to a classic tomato sauce. Thanks for the inspiration!
– MAK
I also really like that you used crushed tomatoes. I get Muir Glen Organic Fire-Roasted crushed tomatoes; they taste fantastic and make it so easy to get the perfect consistency for a sauce!
1/4 cream??? 1/4 of WHAT? a gallon? a quart? a teaspoon?
And authentic made-in-Italy cacciatore does not use crushed tomatoes. It uses whole tomatoes sliced or canned whole tomatoes drained.
cup. Sorry I will fix that! And this just uses similar flavors. You can definitely make it to your taste!
Personally I like the crushed tomatoes……
That does sound delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I made it and it is amazing!! I was looking for a new twist on the routine and love the cream. Crushed, whole or canned, it is all good!
Lonna, I would say this is authentic Made in America Cacciatore. Good for Alyssa for always being inventive. She has a knack for these skillet dinners. I love them all!
How critical! Obviously it is 1/4 cup and not anything else. And no one claimed “authentic” Italian. I am Italian and prepare many dishes differently than they are done in Italy. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing if you have nothing nice to say. Just sayin’
Lonna-Its an online recipe. Simmer down with the “??” and advice on Italian cooking.