Low Sodium Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
This low sodium chicken cacciatore recipe is a hearty Italian dinner, with pan-seared chicken, tender vegetables, and a super flavorful salt-free sauce! Follow our step-by-step photos and easy directions below to make this dish perfectly every time.
This simple one-pot chicken meal idea is easy to make, and cooks on the stovetop in about an hour (but tastes like it takes all day). Serve this up with your favorite pasta or with steamed rice for a full meal the whole family will love.
Want more low sodium chicken recipes? Try our low-sodium chicken Caprese, low sodium mango lime chicken, and our favorite crispy oven-baked low sodium chicken tenders.
Italian food is one of my absolute favorites (and not just because I’m Italian either) – it’s simple to make easy, flavorful dishes with loads of fresh garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. This low sodium chicken cacciatore is unbelievably flavorful and has NO added salt! My husband couldn’t believe how delicious it was, this is a definite keeper in our household.
Chicken cacciatore translates in Italian to hunter’s chicken, as this dish is traditionally served hunter’s style with bone-in chicken and vegetables. I used bone-in chicken thighs which are classic in this dish, but you could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts instead.
We gave this recipe a 10/10 and cannot wait to enjoy this again. I served it over rice, but this would also be fantastic over angel hair, linguine, or spaghetti pasta. Or served over some low sodium mashed potatoes too, yum!
Notes from Our Kitchen
- This chicken cacciatore is fresh, flavorful, tangy, and SO good!
- It’s loaded with vegetables like onions, garlic, mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes.
- It’s versatile – you can use chicken thighs or breasts, and serve it with any of your favorite side dishes.
- It takes about an hour to make, but it’s mostly hands-off ‘stewing’ time so you can prep other dishes while it simmers.
- A great option for Sunday supper, entertaining guests, or just for a cozy family dinner in.
- Cooks of any skill level can successfully make this dish by following our step-by-step photos and instructions below!
Ingredients You’ll Need
See the recipe card below for a full list of instructions and ingredient amounts!
To start, you’ll need some chicken. Traditional cacciatore is made with bone-in chicken thighs, but you could use boneless, or boneless skinless thighs, or even chicken breasts for a lighter version. Make sure you are buying chicken without any added preservatives or brine – always check labels before buying!
This recipe also has a wonderful base of vegetables like onions, garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, and no-salt-added tomatoes. They give the chicken a wonderful flavor and add a nice texture.
The wonderful flavor in this stew is the no-salt-added chicken broth (which you can buy at the store, or make your own low sodium chicken broth recipe next time you have extra bones on hand!) and red wine vinegar. I also add a bit of fresh basil and black pepper at the end for serving.
Additions and Substitutions
For a spicier version, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes or cayenne pepper, or some low sodium hot sauce to taste.
Add in other vegetables you like – like diced eggplant, mini potatoes, peas, cauliflower or green beans.
You can substitute any kind of canned tomatoes for this (it doesn’t have to be diced), you could use crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, or whole tomatoes – just be sure they are no-salt-added!
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: To a large pot, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pot, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side to broth the chicken. Remove the chicken from the pot once browned.
Step 2: To the same pot, reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables have begun to soften.
Step 3: Add the red wine vinegar, and with a wooden spoon, scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Add in the Italian seasonings, no-salt diced tomatoes, and no-salt chicken stock to the vegetables. Stir well to combine.
Step 5: Nestle the browned chicken back into the pot, and simmer (covered) for 40 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally.
Step 6: Garnish the chicken with fresh basil or parsley, and serve with pasta or rice.
Recipe FAQs
This lower sodium version of classic chicken cacciatore is made with bone-in chicken thighs, onions, garlic, mushrooms, bell peppers, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, and a flavorful broth.
You can serve this low sodium chicken cacciatore with freshly cooked pasta (any shape you prefer), white or brown rice, or baked or roasted potatoes.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy within 3 days.
Expert Tips
- When chopping the vegetables, make them roughly the same size. You want the pieces small enough to be bite-sized and consistent in the cacciatore.
- For a spicier chicken, drizzle a little extra hot sauce or sprinkle chili flakes over the dish right before serving.
- If making this recipe ahead of time, follow all the directions and cover and refrigerate. Be sure to reheat for 30 minutes until hot and bubbling before serving.
More Easy No Salt Chicken Recipes
- Low Sodium Chicken Kabobs Recipe
- Low Sodium Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- The best Low Sodium Orange Chicken Recipe
- Low Sodium Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe
- Low Sodium Indian Chicken Curry Recipe
Let’s keep in touch – don’t forget to follow over on Instagram, Facebook, & my Youtube channel for more easy low sodium recipes.
If you made this recipe please leave a star rating & comment below. Your feedback helps other people who are making this recipe.
Our FIRST Low Sodium Cookbook is now available!
Check out Low Sodium Dinners: 100+ Low Sodium Recipes That Actually Taste Good, available here:
Low Sodium Chicken Cacciatore
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs chicken thighs bone-in
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 bell peppers green and red, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 28 ounces no-salt-added diced tomatoes
- 1 cup no-salt-added chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- To a large pot, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pot, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side to broth the chicken. Remove the chicken from the pot once browned.
- To the same pot, reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables have begun to soften.
- Add the red wine vinegar, and with a wooden spoon, scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add in the Italian seasonings, no-salt diced tomatoes, and no-salt chicken stock to the vegetables. Stir well to combine.
- Nestle the browned chicken back into the pot, and simmer (covered) for 40 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally.
- Garnish the chicken with fresh basil or parsley, and serve with pasta or rice.
Notes
- When chopping the vegetables, make them roughly the same size. You want the pieces small enough to be bite-sized and consistent in the cacciatore.
- For a spicier chicken, drizzle a little extra hot sauce or sprinkle chili flakes over the dish right before serving.
- If making this recipe ahead of time, follow all the directions and cover and refrigerate. Be sure to reheat for 30 minutes until hot and bubbling before serving.
Nutrition estimate (for 1 serving)
*Please note, all nutrition content is estimated based on the ingredients we used in our kitchen. It will vary based on your ingredients. Always check your nutrition labels to verify your nutrition content and sodium amounts.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please note I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases from affiliate programs, at no additional cost to you. Please read our privacy policy for more information.
I loved creating this low sodium chicken recipe for you! If you make this dish, please let me know how it turns out and leave a rating and review!