
Umbrian-Style Chicken alla Cacciatora
- Makes4 servings
- Cook Time45 minutes
- 3
Umbria, in central Italy, is home to a tomato-free version of chicken alla cacciatora. Instead, the rustic braise gets it character from lemon, olives, garlic and herbs. Capers also are customary, but we opted instead to use pancetta to build rich, savory depth. We simmer strips of lemon zest into the sauce to infuse the dish with subtle citrusy notes. Use a sharp vegetable peeler to plane off wide strips of zest from the fruit; each piece should be roughly 2 to 3 inches long. You will need a 12-inch oven-safe skillet for this recipe. Keep in mind that when you remove the pan from the oven, the handle will be hot; it’s a good idea to slip an oven mitt over the handle as a reminder.
Don’t place the chicken skin side down on the plate when removing the thighs after browning. Make sure to flip them unbrowned side down to prevent the skin from becoming soggy. When retuning the thighs to the pan, place them skin side up, and don’t forget to pour in the accumulated juices.
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