This Healthier Chicken Cacciatore takes the classic Italian dish and lightens it up with a leaner, thinner cut of chicken that’s sautéed and not breaded and fried.
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I am getting spoiled living in California where fresh local products are available year round. My back window literally looks out on the fields where the majority of the Roma tomatoes produced in America are grown (see picture below). I love how fresh food carries the flavors of a dish without needing much seasoning, because nothing beats that locally grown fresh flavor.
My California-grown produce for this Chicken Caccaitore recipe:
- Mushrooms
- Roma Tomatoes
- Basil (from my garden!)
What Make this Chicken Cacciatore recipe healthier?
Chicken Cacciatore must have thousands of different versions because you know, everyone’s Italian grandma has their own way of cooking the dish or some sort of “secret ingredient” added to the mix. Well, I don’t have an Italian Grandma so I came up with my very own recipe that’s faster than the classic and a bit heathier, too. And my “secret ingredient” is loads of fresh veggies!
My version is heathier because I use a leaner, thinner cut of chicken that’s not breaded or fried. I also opted for the bright, vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables that are quickly cooked instead of simmering away for hours. So not only is my Chicken Cacciatore healthier, but quicker to make, too!
While this recipe is light on calories, it is definitely not light on flavor! The produce and fresh herbs brighten the dish. The mushrooms become little sponges that absorb so much flavor from the other ingredients in the dish that when you bite into them you get a nice little burst of sauce and the aeromatics of the onion and bell pepper.
What is good to serve with Chicken Cacciatore?
I like to serve mine over spaghettie or fettucine which is the traditional way, or you serve it over egg noodles, polenta, or even rice!
How Do You Make Healthier Chicken Cacciatore:
- Gather your ingredients and chop the produce.
- Place your chicken in a greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix the remaining ingredients, except for the cheese, together in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Cover with foil and cook. During the last 5 minutes of cooking remove the foil and sprinkle the cheese over the top.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve!
Cook’s Note- Healthier Chicken Cacciatore:
- You can serve this Chicken cacciatore over pasta (like I did), rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes.
- To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare everything up until putting the dish in the oven. Cover and keep the dish in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Note: You will need to add about 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
Cook’s Tools and ingredients – Healthier Chicken Cacciatore:
ONE YEAR AGO: French Bread Pizza
TWO YEARS AGO: Loaded Greek Fries
THREE YEARS AGO: Copycat Outback Steak House Walkabout Soup
Healthier Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.75 pounds Thin-Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets I like the Foster Farms brand
- 1 15- ounce can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup chicken broth or white wine
- 3 Roma tomatoes deseeded and ½-inch dice
- 1 medium yellow onion ½-inch dice
- 1 medium green bell pepper ½-inch dice
- 1 medium red bell pepper ½-inch dice
- 8 ounces button mushrooms sliced
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
- 2 Tablespoons capers rinsed and drained
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pounds pasta cooked as per package instructions
Instructions
- Move oven rack to the middle position, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray 9x13-inch pan with olive oil. Lay chicken breast fillets in a single layer, covering bottom of pan.
- In a large bowl add remaining ingredients, reserving 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and all of Parmesan cheese for later. Give everything a quick stir. Distribute mixture evenly over chicken. Cover with foil and cook for 15 minutes. Remove foil and cook an additional 20 minutes, adding remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese during last 5 minutes of cooking. Remove from oven and cool briefly, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve over pasta.
Nutrition
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Makes 6 serving.
This Chicken Caccaitore post first appeaded on FFF on October 7, 2015. Here are some fo the original photos:
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Great looking recipe but what caught my eye was the California shaped cutting board. I think I’m jealous! A Maryland board would be too awkwardly shaped for food prep or serving! 🙂
I love Chicken Cacciatore and love your healthy and delicious version!
Your Chicken Cacciatore looks so healthy and GOOD! Our Florida tomato season starts soon and I know our Romas will be a delicious addition to your recipe!
I could dive in face first with mouth open into this chicken dish. I love that you use California produce. I’m in SoCal and we ride though the Ventura county farmland often. (today, in fact) So much of our produce comes from that area.
This is actually one of my favorite dishes – and I am in love with your version – need to make it soon!
A very unique , and different idea for Chicken Cacciatore. I kind of like different even though I am pretty particular about classic Italian recipes, however, I might just have to give your recipe a try. Thanks for sharing a very different, modern, healthy version for chicken cacciatore.
I love your adaptation of a classic dish. Lovely recipe.
um YUM! this looks amazing! Can I come over for dinner?
What a delicious healthy spin on a classic chicken dish 🙂 Love it!
I love this healthier version on this classic dish!
That fresh produce is beautiful and must add so much amazing flavor to this dish!
What a great recipe! And I so agree with you about living in California, things are so fresh and available year-round. I love living here. And, I adore your CA wooden board. So cute!
Ohh, I love me some chicken cacciatore!! Saving this recipe.
It looks amazing!
My husband’s favorite dish is cacciatore – yours is so pretty looking! Jealous of all that fresh produce year ’round. I’m in Massachusetts so we are just coming to the end of our gardening season, sadly.
Doesn’t that look magnificent, nicely done!
I love your focus on eating locally and supporting local business and agriculture. There are so many compelling reason to do that – from better nutrition to a better local economy. And I also love how nutritious and really quick and easy this recipe is! Such a snap to prepare – just perfect for busy, busy weeknights!
This looks delicious! I am putting it on my meal list for the month.
This is such a delicious dish! One of our favorites!
Great recipe. Pinning so I can make it soon!