Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

• 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 ml) olive oil
• One 3lb (1.36 kg) chicken cut into eighths
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb (450 g) mushrooms, quartered
• 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (julienned)
• 1 jalapeno chile, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon (1 ml) red chile flakes
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry red wine
• 1 cup (240 ml) canned chicken broth
• 1 can (14-15 ounce (430 g)) diced tomatoes and their juices
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) aged balsamic vinegar or capers?
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried basil
• 1 lb (450 g) spaghetti (#8 or #9) cooked al dente

Method

1. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the chicken pieces on both sides with salt and pepper, place in the pan skin-side down, and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the breasts over and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the chicken to a large plate.
2. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat until almost smoking. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown, season with salt and pepper, and remove to a plate.
3. Add the onion and bell pepper to the pan and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pepper, garlic, and chile flakes to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until almost completely reduced.
4. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, and rosemary and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon to a large shallow bowl.
5. Increase the heat to high and cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the vinegar and basil, and pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs. Serve over spaghetti, or with mashed potatoes on the side.