Chicken Cacciatore with Basmati Rice

Chicken Cacciatore is an Italian dish that many of you have probably heard of or tasted. The word "cacciatore" means “hunter” and this dish originated in the Renaissance period when only the wealthy could afford to enjoy the sport of hunting and subsequent poultry that was caught. It's a dish that has many variations, and this is my Thermomix version.

 

Great as a quick mid-week meal, it's usually one enjoyed by the whole family - even if some persist in picking out elements! I've presented it here with Basmati Rice but that can be substituted with some fresh bread to mop up all the yummy sauce. I hope you enjoy it :)

 

 

Chicken Cacciatore with Basmati Rice

 

Serves 4-5

 

400g Basmati rice

500g skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and diced

3 cloves garlic

1 red capsicum, deseeded and chopped roughly

20g olive oil

400g can of crushed tomatoes

6-8 basil leaves

3-4 sprigs of parsley

1 tablespoon of TM vegetable/chicken stock

60g white wine

2 small-medium carrots, sliced

130g mushrooms, sliced

100g Spanish olives, sliced or whole and pitted

Salt and pepper to taste

 

1. Fill Thermomix bowl with approximately a litre of water.

 

2. Place rice in Thermomix basket and rinse for a few minutes under running water. Then place basket inside bowl. Cook for 20 minutes at 100 degrees/speed 4.

 

3. When rice is finished cooking, remove basket carefully and spoon rice into Thermo Server, fluffing with fork so as to separate grains. Set aside with lid on while you cook the chicken.

 

4. Place garlic and capsicum into Thermomix bowl and chop 3 seconds/speed 7.

 

5. Add 20g oil and sauté for 2 minutes at 90 degrees/speed 1.

 

6. Add chicken, crushed tomatoes, basil, parsley, stock, wine and carrots to the bowl and cook for 20 minutes on reverse at 100 degrees on soft speed (spoon symbol).

 

7. Place mushrooms into bowl and cook for 7 minutes on reverse at 100 degrees on soft speed.

 

8. Finally, add olives and cook for a final 1 minute on reverse at 100 degrees on soft speed.

 

9. Dish out rice on to individual plates and then spoon chicken cacciatore beside it or on top, however you prefer it.