Chicken Cacciatore with Orzo
February 2008
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It's time to trim down this Italian classic! Opt for chicken on the bone for more flavor combined with a rich tomato sauce and mushrooms, which lend a hearty texture. Add in capers instead of sauteed onions and garlic for an extra kick and mix in fresh basil. Pass on the egg noodles and serve with orzo for a change.
4 servings Prep: 10 mins Cook: 30 mins
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken parts (breasts, legs and thighs), breasts halved crosswise
- Salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 8 ounce package mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons drained capers
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook, turning once, until golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a large plate and reserve the skillet.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orzo until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, half the basil and salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
- Set the skillet over medium-high heat; add the onion and mushrooms and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice, the tomato sauce, capers and remaining basil; season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the sauce and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to 4 plates, top with the sauce and serve the orzo alongside.
