Chicken Cacciatore with Rice

Ingredients and Weight:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 pound)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups cooked rice

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

45 minutes

Difficulty Level:

3 (Intermediate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Brown chicken breasts on both sides.
5. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
6. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
7. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
8. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
9. Return chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon sauce over them.
10. Cover and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
11. Serve chicken and sauce over cooked rice.

Nutritional Information:

(Per serving)

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 10 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2 grams
• Cholesterol: 70 milligrams
• Sodium: 500 milligrams
• Carbohydrates: 45 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 5 grams
• Protein: 30 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory, flavorful, and full of authentic Italian flavors.
• Tender and juicy chicken breasts cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
• Perfect for a cozy, comforting meal on a cold day.
• Easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

User Comments:

• "This dish is a true winner! The chicken was so tender and the sauce was bursting with flavor. I loved the addition of red wine, it really adds depth to the dish."
• "I'm not usually a huge fan of chicken cacciatore, but this recipe changed my mind. The rice was the perfect accompaniment, soaking up all the delicious sauce."
• "I've made this recipe several times now and it's always a hit. It's easy to follow and the results are always restaurant-worthy."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have dry red wine on hand, you can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth.
• To make the dish more hearty, you can add a cup of cooked beans or lentils to the sauce.
• To make the dish vegetarian, you can substitute tofu or tempeh for the chicken.