Savory Baked Garlic Chicken Cacciatore
Indulge in the enticing aroma of savory garlic wafting through your kitchen as you prepare this delightful Baked Garlic Chicken Cacciatore. This Italian-inspired dish features tender, juicy chicken breasts bathed in a rich and flavorful pasta sauce, highlighted by the warm notes of Italian seasoning and fresh garlic. Serve it alongside crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests. With each bite, you'll experience a symphony of flavors that celebrate home cooking at its finest.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 (cut each breast into 2 or 3 pieces)
Onion
1 (sliced)
White Wine
1/2 cup
Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Garlic Cloves
5 (sliced)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons
Pasta Sauce
26 ounces
Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Lightly spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3
Evenly distribute the sliced onion across the bottom of the casserole dish, creating a flavorful base.
4
Arrange the chicken pieces evenly on top of the onions.
5
Pour the white wine over the chicken and onions, allowing it to permeate the flavors.
6
Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken, then lay the sliced garlic on top.
7
Drizzle the olive oil over everything, adding richness and flavor.
8
Bake the dish uncovered for 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the garlic; if it begins to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil.
9
Remove the dish from the oven and pour the pasta sauce over the chicken and onion mixture, ensuring everything is well covered.
10
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top.
11
Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
12
Once done, serve the chicken cacciatore alongside spaghettini noodles, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Baked Garlic Chicken Cacciatore?
It is an Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a flavorful pasta sauce with Italian seasoning, fresh garlic, and melted mozzarella cheese.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 6 servings.
What are the primary ingredients needed for this dish?
The main ingredients include boneless skinless chicken breasts, onion, white wine, Italian seasoning, garlic cloves, olive oil, pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
How should I prepare the chicken breasts?
Each chicken breast should be cut into 2 or 3 smaller pieces before cooking.
What is the initial oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for the first stage of baking.
How do I prepare the casserole dish?
Lightly spray the casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray before adding any ingredients.
What serves as the base layer in the casserole dish?
Sliced onions are distributed across the bottom to create a flavorful base for the chicken.
Why is white wine added to the recipe?
White wine is poured over the chicken and onions to permeate the flavors and add depth to the sauce.
What spices are used to season the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 5 sliced garlic cloves.
What is the first baking duration?
The dish is baked uncovered for an initial 25 minutes at 400°F.
What should I do if the garlic browns too quickly?
If the garlic begins to brown too fast, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil.
When is the pasta sauce added?
The pasta sauce is poured over the chicken and onion mixture after the initial 25-minute bake.
How much pasta sauce is used?
The recipe requires 26 ounces of pasta sauce.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
One cup of shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled generously on top.
Does the oven temperature change during the cooking process?
Yes, after adding the sauce and cheese, the temperature is reduced to 350°F (175°C).
Should the dish be covered for the second bake?
Yes, cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil for the final baking stage.
How long is the second baking stage?
The dish is baked for an additional 30 minutes at the lower temperature.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 55 minutes.
What are the recommended side dishes?
It is best served alongside spaghettini noodles, crusty bread, or garlic bread.
Is there a recommended garnish?
You can garnish the finished dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Can I use different types of onions?
While the recipe specifies a standard onion, yellow or white onions work well for this base.
Is the chicken cooked uncovered at any point?
Yes, the first 25 minutes of baking are done uncovered.
What kind of oil is used?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are drizzled over the chicken and garlic.
How do I ensure the flavors meld together?
Covering the dish during the final 30-minute bake at 350°F allows the flavors to properly meld.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, cacciatore, italian, baked, garlic, comfort food, weeknight dinner, and easy recipe.
Can I substitute the white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth can be used as a substitute.
Is this considered a quick weeknight meal?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy weeknight dinner recipe.
What type of pasta sauce should I use?
Any standard 26-ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce will work.
How is the garlic prepared?
The garlic cloves should be sliced and laid on top of the seasoned chicken.