A week or so ago we visited my Dad and Step Mum for a quick overnight visit. Usually in the past at night we have fed the girls something beforehand, and thrown them into bed before we sit down for a few well deserved drinks and dinner together. As the girls are getting older now, this time we all ate together. It’s funny how things slowly change with your kids…one day they are small and then all of a sudden you notice that you have these big kids now. The freedom that comes with independence (for all of us) is something that I’m excited about and really enjoying at the moment. I know there will be new challenges, and one day I will wish I only had the problems of soothing a tantruming 3 year old with a simple hug, but right now I will take this. All of us.
We ate this delicious chicken cacciatore, and as soon as there were 4 clean bowls from us, I knew I had to get the recipe. I always associated cacciatore with a tomato based sauce, but this is a Northern style dish – made with white wine instead. It is yum. And you should make it. OK?
Chicken Cacciatore
: 8 chicken thighs (if you can get with the bone in and skin on that’s best – we used just plain fillets)
: Extra virgin olive oil (to fry)
: Garlic (2 cloves crushed)
: Onion (diced)
: 100 grams pancetta/bacon (diced into small chunks)
: Chopped rosemary (about 3 stalks)
: 1 cup white wine
: Splash red wine vinegar
: 1/2 cup chicken stock
: 2 thin lemon slices (finely chopped)
: 1/2 cup green olives (chopped)
: 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
1. Brown off the chicken thighs in olive oil and set aside
2. Finely chop the pancetta, onion, rosemary & garlic and fry off in the same pot you browned the chicken in. Scrape as much of that browned goodness from the bottom of the pot as you go for about 5 minutes
3. Add wine, vinegar, lemon and chili and simmer for a few minutes before adding in the olives and the chicken back in, turn the heat to low and simmer gently until tender (about 25 mins)
4. I served up with some roasted potatoes (because I am a pig) and wilted spinach (that I throw into the hot roasting pan at the very end for a min or so because I am lazy), but you could use pasta/rice/greens or anything that takes your fancy!
Besides being able to eat together, and of course the fact that sometimes older kids actually sleep, what’s one thing you’ve enjoyed about your kids getting older?
I love walking out of the house with just my wallet and keys – never get tired of that!
Yes! Although, I always was hopeless at taking stuff for the kids – like changes of clothes, nappies, water and food so not much has changed!
Oh wow … that looks delish. Straight to the menu!
It really is VERY good. Would also put leftovers into a pie or shredded through some pasta too…
Being able to leave them at home!
By themselves? Very much looking forward to that day…some time away from it for us though.
I almost don’t want to say it for fear of jinxing myself but we finally have Toddler C eating dinner with…the same meal eaten at the same table. And he generally is happy to sit there until Daddy R and I have finished our meals! It is amazing!
Well done! See? He did end up eating something else besides porridge!
Pix made my mouth water. Really want that now and it’s only 9.30am xox
I ate the last of it last night for dinner…I’m sad there’s no more left!
Anything with white wine in it is an instant favourite for me! Looks delish.
Because then a bottle is opened right? Best drunk with white wine too…
This looks really good. Add that to my Meal Plan for next week!
I’m right there with you on the kid thing. Ours are only 4 & 2, but I feel like we are just starting to emerge from the baby ‘fog’. Isn’t it nice to go out of the house without prams and highchairs and blankets and four change of outfits and a bazillion nappies?
It sure is!
This is so great – the honest truth is my eldest will only eat chicken,bacon and olives (..and cous cous, feta and sundried tomatoes – but that is it!)
Adding this to my small list of eatable meals for my boys this week.
It’s a shame I have jumped back on the weight-loss wagon today…a spoonful to try never hurt anyone !!
Spoke to my brother this morning who is planning a family visit to Melbourne with their nearly 2yr old and by then they will be travelling with 8week old – I love not having to travel with carseats, double stroller, port-a-cots, nappies, bottles, formula, 50 sets of wee’d, spit-up on clothing – I LOVE THAT!!…
Oh good luck…hope the kids like it! And yes, all that STUFF you need with small kids.
Yum! Thanks! Reckon a can of cannellini beans chucked in last thing could make this a one-pot meal too. 🙂
Oh YUM! Yes! Next time I’ll do that too.
I’ve enjoyed the simple pleasure of just being able to just walk out the door. No extra set of clothes, no nappies or special sippy cup. I now travel with my 4 on long haul flights without any fear of how I’m going to carry the suitcase, push the stroller and put the baby in the baby sling without an extra set of hands. Now I’d just like time to stand still – no-one needs to grow any bigger.
Yes. I am done with the growing. Especially from Harper. She needs to stay just where she is…
I love going to visit friends and family for dinner and not having to pack up and depart at 7:00 to get exhausted kids into bed! At 3 and 5 they can now stay up late once in a while, be happy and even better sleep in the morning, blessed!
Yes….agreed. There’s just an ability to relax a bit isn’t there?
This looks wonderful. I’m always looking for an alternative to the traditional tomato based recipes. This one will be on our table this week! Thanks Beth.
Me too! I’ve never been a fan of the tomato kind but this is very good.
I do make something similar with onion, garlic, carrot and celery chopped, sautéed, add chicken, cup of stock or wine or both, transfer to the oven for 40 minutes and the kids do like it, but I never thought to add bacon or olives – nice alternative 🙂 Keep the recipes coming. We cook your version of Lamb Shoulder a lot at the moment – it’ a real winner!
This is one of those meals that I used to hate when my mum made it but now I think I’d quite like it! Must try it.
Yes, do…this is YUMBO.
ooh, that looks delicious! will definitely have to try it!
thanks for sharing it 😀
You’re welcome…enjoy 🙂
Kay I will make it ,and yes they do eat what you eat as they get older! I enjoy mine now they are adults with funny tales about work and life to tell and we all are equal and sit around having a drink together but they are a tad lazy and still expect me to do the washing and the cooking of the dinner but I suppose that’s what a Mum does and I do love it when they all say great dinner Mum or thankyou for doing (insert whatever) for me today.
An unprompted thank you? THAT will be a good day!
Sounds great and no tomato, yay!! So hard to get away from the tomatoe based dishes …..thanks!
I know…it’s the best bit!
I enjoy that every now and then they actually cook for me. Plus another favourite bit is they actually help with sorting and loading, unloading laundry and cleaning! They can change their own sheets too! It’s fantastic. I must also mention that as we are on a bit of land, my boys are very skilled at fencing and cattle work, and the 10 year old has mastered the caterpillar front end loader, far better than his father! Daughter prefers to crank up the music and push the vacuum cleaner around- Excellent!
That all just sounds SO GOOD. Well done! Excellent parenting I suspect 🙂
Beth, just made this for dinner tonight and it was scrummo!!!! Kids and hubby happily ate it down so I am one happy lady 🙂 Thanks and please please please keep the yummy food tips coming. Everything of yours I make gets raved over. We have also been going mad for your chicken noodle soup of late with colds rife through our place xx
saw it. pinned it. made it. ate it. loved it!
rachel xo
I am making this tonight x
Betty, I am having this again tonight!
Go Pooks! It is VERY good. We are having it this week too x
Our kids are similar in age (8 and 4) I love that my kids can dress themselves, wipe their own butt, entertain themselves (most of the time) and are starting to do chores around the house (empty the dishwasher), clean their room (badly).
They also don’t yet have the attitude (or the balls) to say no. They try, but they are still bend to my will eventually! That won’t last I’m sure.
I made this but it was quite bitter with the lemon 🙁 what did I do wrong? I only did two super thin slices of lemon 🙁
Sadly we couldn’t eat our dinner :((
Oh no! I’m really surprised by that – I’ve cooked it so many times and know so many people who have made it and I’ve never heard that before. I wonder why?! I would have thought that the pancetta and olives would be enough flavour to make the lemon seem less powerful. I’m so sorry – that’s SO annoying when you go to trouble and it doesn’t work 🙁
Hi,
This recipe looks great.
Do you think it would freeze well? I am thinking of adding it to my monthly freezer meal prep.
Thanks!
Definitely!
Boom!!!! Stumbling through new Keto life and wondering what the hell do I do with the chicken thighs I bought. 🙌
P.S I hate you for getting to eat potatoes 😜
Ha! You are right…it is KETO. Life is too short to not eat potatoes.
Tried this one tonight and it was a hit!
Absolutely delicious!
Excellent! Great flavours isn’t it?