Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore is basically an Italian dish. Cacciatore means hunter, so it is said that the dish is made in 'hunter style' with tomatoes, onions and herbs. In some places mushrooms and bell peppers are also added. Cacciatore is usually made with chicken or rabbit. It is one of the famous dishes in Italy. There are many different variations to this dish. Ingredients vary in different regions. For example, in southern Italy often red wine is used, while in northern Italy they make use of white wine.
This is a very simple recipe and it is cooked rather quickly so the chicken still tastes fresh. Those of you who do not like this can cook it for longer. Usually canned tomatoes are used for this but I feel fresh tomatoes would taste better. I made use of all the ingredients except for few of the herbs, wine and mushrooms too.So here is my version of the recipe....

Ingredients:

3 1/2 pounds chicken

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. garlic and onion powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup olive oil

6 large cloves garlic, minced

1 or 2 large onions, sliced

1 ea. red and green bell peppers, coarsely chopped

1 1/2 cups canned/ fresh tomatoes

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

Method:

Chicken should be cut in serving size pieces. Put 1/2 cup flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large plastic or clean brown paper bag.

Add 2 or 3 pieces chicken at a time and shake to coat well with flour.

Heat olive oil; brown chicken on all sides. Add remaining ingredients.

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over wide egg noodles or other pasta.