Melissas Chicken Cacciatore Recipes

Steps:

• For the chicken: Season the pounded cutlets evenly on all sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Put the rice flour, eggs and panko in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt, the eggs with 1/4 teaspoons salt and the breadcrumbs with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Working with one piece at a time, dredge the seasoned chicken cutlets in the flour, then the egg mixture and finishing with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere evenly.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the hot pan and heat another 10 seconds. Working in batches if necessary, add the breaded chicken to the pan and cook until the first side is deep golden brown and the chicken begins to look cooked around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the cutlets and continue to cook on the second side until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes more. Remove the chicken to a wire rack and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper if desired.
• For the sauce: Wipe out the pan if needed and return to medium heat. Add the olive oil, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook to soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, capers, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the tomatoes start to release their juices, about 3 minutes longer. Spoon the sauce over the crispy cutlets and serve topped with the basil.

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.
• In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.
• Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.

Steps:

• Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl or heat-proof glass measuring cup and pour on 2 cups boiling water. Let sit 15 to 30 minutes, until mushrooms are softened. Drain through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper towel and set over a bowl. Rinse the mushrooms in several changes of water, squeeze out excess water and chop coarsely. Set aside. Measure out 1 cup of the soaking liquid and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown, in batches, for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken pieces to a bowl as they are done. Pour the fat off from the pan and discard.
• Turn the heat down to medium, add the remaining oil and the onion, carrot and celery, as well as a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt to taste. Cover, turn the heat to low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until the mixture is soft and aromatic. Stir in the fresh and dried mushrooms, turn the heat back up to medium, and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are just tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the wine and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes, until the wine has reduced by about half. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down a little and smell fragrant. Stir in the mushroom soaking liquid that you set aside.
• Return the chicken pieces to the pan and stir so that they are well submerged in the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve with pasta or rice.