Jamie Oliver Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora)

This rustic and comforting Jamie Oliver Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora) is Italian home cooking at its best. Tender chicken braised in red wine with tomatoes, olives, garlic, and herbs makes it rich, hearty, and perfect for sharing. I made this for a casual dinner party and it filled the house with incredible aromas. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

For the Stew:

• 1 whole chicken (2kg), jointed, or 2kg chicken pieces
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 bay leaves
• 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 3 garlic cloves (1 crushed, 2 sliced)
• ½ bottle of Chianti wine
• Flour (for dusting)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 6 anchovy fillets
• A handful of green or black olives, stoned
• 2 x 400g tins of good-quality plum tomatoes

How To Make Jamie Oliver Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora)

1. Marinate the Chicken: Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Place them in a bowl with bay leaves, rosemary, the crushed garlic clove, and the Chianti wine. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight if you can—the longer, the better for flavor.
2. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Take the chicken out of the marinade, reserving the liquid, and pat the pieces dry with kitchen paper. Lightly dust them with flour, shaking off any excess.
3. Brown the Chicken: In a large ovenproof pan, heat a glug of olive oil and fry the chicken until golden all over. Do this in batches so they brown nicely. Set aside once done.
4. Build the Sauce: In the same pan, gently fry the sliced garlic until golden. Add the anchovy fillets and let them melt into the oil. Tip in the olives and plum tomatoes, breaking the tomatoes up with a wooden spoon. Pour in the reserved marinade and stir everything together.
5. Bake: Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Bring it all to a gentle boil, cover with a lid or foil, and place in the oven. Bake for 1½ hours until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.
6. Finish and Serve: Once cooked, skim any excess oil off the surface and give it a final stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary. Serve with crusty bread, a crisp salad, or creamy beans—and of course, a glass of Chianti!

Why I Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about this dish—the deep flavors, the rich sauce, and how little effort it takes once it’s in the oven. I served it with grilled polenta the last time, and we scraped the plates clean. It’s proper comfort food with a grown-up twist.

Recipe Tips

• Marinate overnight: For maximum depth of flavor, let the chicken sit in the wine and herbs overnight.
• Don’t skip anchovies: They add savory umami and melt into the sauce.
• Use bone-in chicken: It stays juicier and makes the sauce richer.
• Chianti matters: Choose a decent bottle you’d happily drink.
• Make ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Storing in the Fridge: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until piping hot.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can I use boneless chicken?
  Sure, but bone-in pieces give better flavor and texture.
• What can I serve this with?
  Polenta, crusty bread, or cannellini beans are all great sides.
• Is it okay to skip anchovies?
  You can, but you’ll lose some of the sauce’s depth. Try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce as a backup.
• Can I cook this on the stove instead of the oven?
  Yes! Simmer it gently on low heat for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
• Can I make it in advance?
  Definitely! It tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 855 kcal
• Fat: 11.7g
• Saturates: 2.7g
• Carbs: 9.9g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 79.7g

Check out More Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Fish
• Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Tinned Potatoes
• Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Flatbread