The ultimate chicken cacciatore

The perfect weekend all-in tray bake
I just bet you’re looking at this gorgeous chicken cacciatore thinking: “This would be a fabulous Sunday lunch!”. And you know what, you’d be right.
Just imagine those juicy pieces of chicken, cooked to perfection, snuggled in with some perfectly golden potatoes, fragrant fennel, basil and coriander, together in a thick tomato-based sauce, flavoured with salami and olives. Heaven on a plate.

Chicken cacciatore tray bake – meal prep made easy
I am loving these one-tray bake wonders at the moment. Not only you get loads of delicious food in one go for a fabulous family feast, there will be loads left over (unless you’re a family of 8 or super hungry!) – and the leftovers make perfect work and school lunches on Monday.
There is something for everyone in this tray bake and I kid you not, you will feel like you’ve just treated yourself to something super special when this is on the table in front of you.
And for all of that reward, it takes minimum time and effort to make this meal, and it’s fairly cheap. (Which you, of course, don’t need to mention – just accept the compliments!)
Free of nuts, wheat and egg (and dairy-free is possible)
There are no nuts, wheat or egg used in this recipe so it’s brilliant for those members of your family who are sensitive to those ingredients.
The only dairy is in the Parmesan cheese so if you want to make you chicken cacciatore dairy-free, think about using a cheese substitute or omitting the cheese altogether.

AWW recipe
This recipe is adapted from the fabulous Women’s Weekly Express: The Complete Collection cookbook which I have mentioned on this blog before and I honestly cannot recommend highly enough. I have tagged so many recipes to try and in the short time since I have come across this cookbook (and pretty much immediately went out and bought it), I have made quite a few recipes already, all of which were awesome. So if you’re looking for a lovely big cookbook for your collection, full of easy and quick recipes (most of which are healthy), then this might be a great idea for a present for yourself or a loved one. (And let me say, this is not a paid post – I am just a genuine fan.)
If you live in Australia, you will know that the Australia Women’s Weekly (or AWW) cookbooks represent a fabulous Australian tradition which started as a weekly newspaper back in 1933 but now apparently produce more food content than any other publisher. Honestly, I was not surprised to read this, given the number of AWW titles you see for sale in the stores and online.
That said, AWW have never disappointed me. While they are well known for their gorgeous desserts, Christmas recipes, thick volume all-in collections and kids’ birthday cake ideas, I have noticed lately that they have a number of titles including healthier recipes – like these stunning low carb, sugar free and good gut diet cookbooks. I am loving that these recipes are becoming mainstream and these cookbooks are available everywhere. Combine this with the AWW gorgeous photography which is just drool-worthy and their triple recipe testing and I bet you will be a fan, just like I am.

Is this chicken cacciatore a new family classic?
In the meantime, whether or not I have managed to pass my excitement about the Express cookbook onto you, check out the recipe below. It’s perfectly suitable for grown ups and kids alike (though not babies or young toddlers, due to the bones involved – so do be careful there) and the mild flavours mean that kids will love it too.
There is nothing spicy in this beautiful chicken cacciatore and no strong unusual tastes but the inclusion of fennel and olives in particular works gently to expand your kids’ palates – while enjoying some very tasty chicken and salami! (You don’t need to mention the brussel sprouts at all, not even to spouses.) Veggies by sneaky inclusion… every parent’s plan of attack every now and then, I’m sure.
I hope you enjoy this gorgeous tray bake, as much as we did!
The ultimate chicken cacciatore
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil (I used garlic infused olive oil, but regular is fine)
- 6 chicken thigh cutlets (skin on) (or use other chicken pieces, I used 6 medium sized chicken drumsticks and 4 chicken wings, approximately 1kg in total)
- 10 baby potatoes or 3 large potatoes (about 400g), sliced into rounds or half rounds
- 130 g salami (mild or spicy), sliced
- 1 brown onion, sliced thinly
- 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 6 brussel sprouts, quartered
- 1/2 head of fennel, sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or, if you are like me, and there is no white in the house, use the rose from the back of the cupboard – delicious!)
- 400 g can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 3/4 cup (200g) whole green Sicilian olives
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme or coriander, chopped
- 5 sprigs fresh basil, chopped
- 1/3 cup finely grated or shaved parmesan
- extra fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 220C.
- Heat oil in a large over-proof pan or casserole dish over medium high heat and add chicken pieces, skin side down. Cook each side for 3 minutes or until browned. Remove from pan.
- Add potato, salami, onion, garlic, brussel sprouts and fennel to the same pan; cook for about 4 minutes, stirring or until the onion is golden.
- Add wine to the pan and stir to combine. Add tomatoes, stock, olives, thyme/coriander and basil sprigs, and chicken pieces. Bring to the boil.
- Transfer the pan or casserole dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Sprinkle cacciatore with parmesan and the extra torn basil leaves. Serve with crusty bread, if you like.
Notes

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28 Comments
Shannon
WOW!!! This looks so amazing!!!! Totally making this one with some veggie meat substitute! Absolutely love all the flavors here, and my daughter is a huge olive fan, so this really is the perfect dish for our family. Also, I really loved the AWW history you shared, that is so so neat! Always enjoy learning the history. Another amazing recipe Katerina!
Katerina
Thank you so so much, Shannon! You’ve absolutely made my day! I really hope you love the recipe as much as we do ♥️
Neil
Yum, what a fantastic looking tray bake. I haven’t made a chicken cacciatore that looks as good as this, like EVER! Stunnng. And all those flavours mingled together, wow!
Katerina
Hi Neil, thanks so much – and it tastes even better than it looks! Definitely one of my favourites at the moment 💜
Jill
I love anything with fennel and olives in it! This is such a yummy recipe!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Thank you Jill, those flavours are speaking to me too! ♥️
Marissa
I’m always on the hunt for new tray bake ideas and we love chicken cacciatore! This definitely needs to happen in my kitchen. Thanks for the inspiration!
Katerina
Thank you, Marissa! Hope you and your family enjoy it!
Laura
Katerina, this is gorgeous! I love all of these flavors, this dish is irresistible! Beautiful photos, too!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Laura! We’re in love too 💜
Leanne
I definitely need more one pan meals like this in the dinner rotation. I love that the recipe can accommodate so many dietary requirements. Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t like chicken, but that just means more for me! And lunches all week! 😉
Katerina
I love your attitude, Leanne! One tray bakes are so convenient!
Ashley
This looks beyond incredible! Chicken cacciatore used to be one of my fave meals as a kid- I need to make this asap!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
Thanks so much, Ashley – I hope it brings back some lovely memories!
jodie filogomo
You had me at fennel and olives. This could be one of our staples Katerina,
XOXO
Jodie
Katerina
Thanks Jodie, it’s very quickly become one of our staples! So easy and delicious. Hope you enjoy it too!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Ohh, delicious! I love how it is a meal all in one and it looks like it has a lot of flavor!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thanks very much, Carrie! Less dishes, happy me 🙂
Laura Bambrick
Less dishes AND a delicious and beautiful meal? I’m sold! This looks so tasty!
Katerina
Thank you Laura. One dish meals are my absolute favourite too!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Wow! Talk about a ton of flavour! Love the salami and brussels sprouts in here! Just the kinda comfort food one would want on a cold fall or winter day. Bet this would be lovely for entertaining too. YUM!!
Katerina
The brussels sprouts are a sneaky little addition I thought my kids wouldn’t notice but they absolutely did (pretty much immediately). Who did I think I could fool? I loved them though – same with fennel, it just adds something extra. Yes, I agree, it would look great as a centrepiece meal at a party! Thanks so much, Dawn.
Julie | This Main Line Life
This looks really great. We love cacciatore. I have a similar meatless recipe that uses potatoes and chick peas in stead of chicken that we make quite often.
Katerina
How interesting! I’d love to try that sometime if you have a recipe you can share? Thanks Julie!
David @ Spiced
I do love chicken cacciatore! It is the ultimate comfort food, and I love how you turned it into a sheet pan dinner here. I’m also digging the addition of salami. I’m totally doing that next time I crave cacciatore. The weather is starting to get chilly here, so comfort food like this is most certainly in high demand. Looks delicious, Katerina!
Katerina
Thanks so much, David! Salami is great in everything – also famously my lasagna. It gives it a little bit extra depth of flavour. Enjoy the change in seasons – we’re opposite so the weather is warming up for us. Now we just need some rain and I’ll be happy.
Kathrine Eldridge
This looks like the perfect comfort good! So delicious. Thanks for sharing.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks Kathrine, we absolutely devoured this one!