Quick Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore or Hunter's Stew is usually made with chicken thighs or all parts of the chicken and cooked slowly until fall off the bone tender. I make it like this on a weeknight if I want to cook it in 20 minutes. I use chicken breasts which are cut into chunks and I use the food processor to make the vegetables small and this makes sure they also cook quickly. It has big bold flavour and you can serve it over your favourite noodle or rice.

You will Need:

• 2 chicken breasts- cut into chunks
• 1 onion- chopped in quarters
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 1 small green pepper
• 2 carrots
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 small leek
• 1tbsp fresh parsley- chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh basil - chopped
• 1-2 cups sliced mushrooms (any kind you like)
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth/water
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• salt/pepper
• additional 1 tbsp chopped parsley and basil each

Noodles* use store bought or make your own!

• 1/2 cup semolina flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Step 1: in a food processor put onion, garlic cloves and green pepper, pulse a few seconds. Put aside

Step 2: in food processor add carrots, celery, leek, parsley and basil. Put aside.

Step 3: chop chicken breasts. Put aside.

Step 4: slice mushrooms. Put aside.

Step 4: in a large saute pan fry onions, garlic and pepper for a few minutes to cook out some of the water.

Step 5: add the carrot, celery, leek and herb mixture along with mushrooms. Cook 3-4 minutes on medium heat.

Step 6: add chicken and crushed tomatoes.Add vinegar, sugar, Italian seasonings, chili flakes, broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat 20 minutes add more broth if the sauce gets too dry. This should be thick and chunky so you can spoon over noodles or rice.

Step 7: Either cook store bought noodles or in a bowl add dry ingredients. In the centre of the dish form a well and add eggs and olive oil. Mix with a fork until too dry and you need to put on the counter. Knead it well for 5 minutes incorporating all flour and then I cut into 4 pieces. Roll out thin with a rolling pin, adding more flour if necessary.Slice with a knife. It is that easy to make noodles.  I boil these noodles for 3-4 minutes and you can toss with olive oil and top with sauce.

Top with a sprinkle of fresh basil and parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Eat hot!