Name: Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 pounds chicken wings and drumsticks; ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 medium onion (chopped); 1 pound white mushrooms (cleaned and chopped); 1 medium green bell pepper (chopped); 1 medium red bell pepper (chopped); 1 medium yellow bell pepper (chopped); ¼ teaspoon turmeric; 2 teaspoons oregano (dried); 2 bay leaves; 1 cup red wine; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can); ¾ cup Kalamata olives (pitted); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

If you're craving a comforting Italian classic, you've got to try my Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish where juicy chicken simmers in a rich, tomato-based sauce, bursting with bell peppers, olives, and earthy mushrooms. I promise, once you make this, it'll be a regular in your recipe rotation!

The image shows a close-up of a cooked dish in a deep wok with a speckled dark interior and a blue outside, placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has several layers starting with browned chicken pieces with a golden-orange tone arranged throughout the pan. Mixed in between are dark purple olives scattered on the surface and mixed vegetables including orange bell pepper strips, and sliced mushrooms with a light brown and white color. The base layer looks like a chunky red tomato sauce with small pieces of other vegetables and herbs sprinkled on top, adding green flecks across the dish. A wooden spatula is partly visible, stirring the food from the right side. The whole dish looks moist and warmly colored. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Cacciatore is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I love how the chicken wings and drumsticks turn beautifully tender in the oven, soaking up the amazing flavors from the sauce.

Rich, Robust Flavor: The combo of red wine, tomato paste, and herbs creates a deep, satisfying sauce.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: Baking the wings and drumsticks lets the meat fall off the bone.
Colorful Veggie Medley: Bell peppers and mushrooms lend sweetness and earthiness to every bite.
Great for Any Occasion: Serve it over noodles, rice, or polenta for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend feast.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you head out shopping, here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients that make this chicken cacciatore so special. Choose fresh, good-quality produce and chicken for the best results — and don’t skip on the red wine for that authentic depth!

Flat lay of two whole chicken drumsticks and wings with skin on, a small mound of fresh white mushrooms whole and sliced, a medium green bell pepper halved and deseeded, a medium red bell pepper halved and deseeded, a medium yellow bell pepper halved and deseeded, four whole uncracked brown eggs with smooth shells, one medium onion peeled and chopped, four peeled garlic cloves whole, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of butter chunks, a small white ceramic bowl holding bright red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dark purple Kalamata olives pitted, two dried bay leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red wine, a small white ceramic bowl of fragrant dried oregano leaves, a small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl of bright yellow turmeric powder, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive Oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
Butter: Brings creaminess and balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.
Chicken Wings and Drumsticks: The perfect pieces for moist, flavorful meat that stays tender through baking.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out the chicken’s natural flavors.
Garlic: Adds aromatic punch and depth to the sauce.
Onion: Gives sweetness and a subtle savory base.
White Mushrooms: Their earthiness complements the tomato and wine beautifully.
Green, Red, and Yellow Bell Peppers: These colorful veggies add sweetness, texture, and visual appeal.
Turmeric: A subtle warm note and lovely golden hue.
Dried Oregano: Classic Italian herb that brightens and complements the sauce.
Bay Leaves: Impart a subtle herbal aroma during baking.
Red Wine: Adds acidity, complexity, and richness to the sauce.
Tomato Paste: Thickens the sauce and intensifies the tomato flavor.
Diced Tomatoes: The base for the hearty, vibrant sauce.
Kalamata Olives: Bring a briny, tangy element that balances the richness.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright pop of color and flavor at the end.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe is how easily it adapts to your personal taste and pantry staples. Whether you want to swap ingredients or add your own flair, this dish welcomes creativity!

Variation: I love using a mix of bone-in thighs along with wings and drumsticks when I want extra juicy, meaty bites. It adds more depth without changing the cooking time much.
Make it vegetarian: Swap out the chicken for hearty portobello mushrooms or eggplant. Just sauté them well before adding the sauce and bake until tender—delicious and comforting without meat!
Seasonal twist: When summer’s in full swing, I toss in chopped zucchini or eggplant along with the peppers for more veggie goodness and fresh flavor bursts.
Wine alternatives: If you don’t keep wine on hand, low-sodium chicken broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar brings a similar tang and depth that perfectly complements the sauce.
Spice level: For a little heat, I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauté of garlic and onions. It gives the dish a gentle kick without overpowering the other flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe

The dish shows a white plate with wide, curly egg noodles forming the bottom layer, pale yellow and soft in texture. On top, there are pieces of browned chicken covered in a rich, glossy brown sauce. Mixed with the chicken are dark purple olives, slices of orange bell pepper, green beans, and small chopped mushrooms, all coated in the sauce. Fresh green parsley is sprinkled over everything, adding a bright finish. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a bunch of green herbs visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep for Perfectly Browned Chicken

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. This ensures it’s nice and hot, so when the chicken goes in with the sauce, it continues cooking evenly and develops a lovely tender texture. While the oven heats, pat your chicken wings and drumsticks dry, then season them with salt and pepper. Drying the skin helps it brown up beautifully in the next step.

Step 2: Sauté Chicken in Olive Oil and Butter Until Golden

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large oven-safe skillet with a lid over medium heat until the butter melts and begins to sizzle softly. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer and fry them about 4 minutes per side, turning carefully to get an evenly golden crust. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through just yet—this is all about flavor, so take your time to get a beautiful color. When browned, transfer the chicken to a plate but keep the flavorful juices in the skillet.

Step 3: Build the Base with Aromatics and Mushrooms

Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté them for about 2 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the kitchen fills with that wonderful garlicky aroma. Next, stir in a pound of chopped white mushrooms. Cook these down for 5 minutes, allowing them to brown a bit and release their moisture. This step adds a savory depth that really elevates the sauce.

Step 4: Add Bell Peppers for Color and Sweetness

Mix in your chopped green, red, and yellow bell peppers. Cook everything together for another 2 to 3 minutes. The peppers should soften slightly but still hold a bit of their fresh texture, adding a beautiful burst of color and mellow sweetness to the sauce.

Step 5: Season and Simmer with Wine and Tomatoes

Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon turmeric, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, and add 2 bay leaves. Pour in 1 cup of red wine and stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste plus a can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes. Bring it all to a boil, making sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet with your spoon or spatula to loosen all those tasty browned bits left from the chicken. This deglazing step really amps up your sauce's flavor.

Step 6: Return Chicken, Cover, and Bake to Tender Perfection

Place the browned chicken pieces back into the skillet, nestling them into the fragrant sauce. Cover the skillet with its lid, then transfer it to your preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the chicken to cook through gently while soaking up all those rich flavors. The meat will be tender and juicy when it’s done.

Step 7: Finish with Olives, Parsley, and Serve Hot

Once the baking time is up, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Scatter ¾ cup of pitted Kalamata olives over the top and sprinkle with a tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and brightness. Serve your tender chicken cacciatore right away over your choice of noodles, rice, or creamy polenta to soak up that luscious sauce.

Top Tip

Mastering the Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe is all about layering flavors and taking your time with each step. These tips come straight from my kitchen adventures to help you create a dish that's bursting with flavor and perfectly tender every time.

Don’t Rush Browning: Taking those extra minutes to golden-brown the chicken adds incredible depth to the sauce later on. Trust me, it’s worth it for that rich flavor and juicy texture.
Cook Mushrooms Separately First: I learned that sautéing mushrooms before the bell peppers lets them caramelize beautifully instead of steaming, which really boosts their earthiness in the dish.
Deglaze Like a Pro: When adding the red wine and tomato elements, making sure to scrape the bottom of your skillet releases those tasty browned bits that transform your sauce from good to unforgettable.
Patience with Baking: Baking the chicken covered for a full hour at 400°F ensures it’s tender and infused with all those aromatic herbs and spices—don’t skip or skimp on this crucial step.

How to Serve Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe

The image shows three side-by-side photos of a black pan on a white marbled surface, each displaying a different stage of cooking. In the first photo, the pan is filled with cooked brown mushrooms in small pieces, covering the whole pan with a soft texture. The second photo shows the same mushrooms but now topped with fresh orange and green bell peppers sliced into thin strips, arranged neatly side by side covering the mushrooms but not mixed. In the third photo, the mushrooms, orange peppers, and green peppers are evenly mixed together, showing a colorful mix of brown, orange, and green layers throughout the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To really brighten up your Chicken Cacciatore, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley right before serving. The green bursts add freshness and color. You can also add a few extra Kalamata olives on top for that lovely salty punch that complements the sauce so well.

Side Dishes

This rich and hearty dish pairs wonderfully with tender noodles, buttery polenta, or a simple bed of steamed rice to soak up all of that delicious tomato sauce. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables alongside can add great contrast and balance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your meal, simply transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. This Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives Recipe keeps well for up to 4 days—and the flavors actually get better overnight!

Freezing

You can freeze this dish for longer storage. Cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It should keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Reheating

Reheat your leftover chicken cacciatore gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Alternatively, cover and bake at 350°F for about 20–25 minutes until hot. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen any thickened sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken instead of wings and drumsticks?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken pieces, but keep in mind they will cook faster and might lack some of the flavor that bone-in, skin-on wings and drumsticks provide. Adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid drying out the meat.

What can I substitute for red wine in this recipe?

If you prefer to avoid wine, you can use low-sodium chicken broth combined with a splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar to mimic the acidity and depth red wine brings to the sauce.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should be baked covered for 1 hour at 400°F, which is sufficient to cook it through and make it tender. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F for food safety.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish is excellent for meal prep since the flavors deepen when stored overnight. Simply prepare it fully, then refrigerate for up to 4 days before reheating.

Final Thoughts

Tender Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms and Olives is one of those comforting classics that fills your home with irresistible aromas and invites everyone to the table for a hearty, satisfying meal. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special weekend gathering, this dish brings warmth and rich flavors that never disappoint. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this recipe as much as I do!