Comfort Food for Cabin Fever

When I have cabin fever, one of my preferred pastimes is cooking. 

Every tradition has a version of comfort food that warms the core as well as the hearth. Today, I'm sharing a comfort food from the Italians. 

This recipe uses chicken in a stew of very thin, soupy tomato broth with an assortment of vegetables, spices, and white wine. 

Chances are you’ve heard of it: Chicken Cacciatore (hunter’s style chicken). In some regions, it is known as Pollo alla Cacciatora (hunter’s wife’s style chicken).

The lore surrounding this rustic peasant dish goes something like this: The woman of the house is to prepare a hearty meal from the game that her husband brings home from the hunt. Since he often comes home with only herbs, mushrooms, and an oversized appetite, she “hunts” for a chicken in the backyard. 

Because her hunt is always successful, she saves the day, and they both live happily ever after.

Here is my mother’s version of chicken cacciatore. Oh! Mom wants you all to know that she never made it because she had to. Dad was a skilled hunter and did not come home empty-handed!

Chicken alla Mary Jo Novelli Cacciatora

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cut into parts

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 small green pepper, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

Handful of piopini mushrooms (or 6 to 8 button mushrooms)

4 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped, seeds removed

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon assorted herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary work well)

Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Separate chicken into parts - 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, 2 breasts, 2 wings.
2. Using medium heat, brown the chicken parts on all sides in a deep skillet with the oil.
3. Remove chicken from your skillet and use some of the fat to sauté the chopped vegetables, all except the tomatoes. 
4. When vegetables are golden brown, add chicken back to the skillet.
5. Add wine and bring to a simmer. Add tomatoes and simmer again.
6. Cook for about 15 minutes with the lid on, then 15 minutes without the lid, allowing some evaporation.
7. Add herbs, salt, and pepper in the last 5 minutes.

Serve with either rice, potatoes, or pasta.

Buon Appetito!