Chicken Cacciatore in jar -- should i marinate my chicken in it first?!
Chicken Cacciatore in jar -- should i marinate my chicken in it first?
I have a jar of Chicken Cacciatore sauce from Trader Joe's and I'm wondering if the chicken would taste best if I marinated it in it before I cooked it, or if I should simply saute the chicken first and then add it to the sauce already cooked? I'm worried it won't pick up the flavors of the sauce as much if I do that.
Answers:
No don't marinate it in the sauce first. If you want to add flavor to the chicken marinate it with onion, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, italian spices(basil, oregano), salt and pepper. Then if it's chicken breast saute' it then add sauce heat through and serve. Because chicken breast will dry out.. If its bone in chicken you can cook it a long time on low heat if you wish and it will eventually fall of the bone. Add water, red wine or stock if the sauce begins to get too thick. Serve with pasta or rice and salad. Enjoy.
Pluck it first.
I you are cooking it slowly it should taste the same or better but definitely not worse!
I wouldn't marinate the chicken first. Take your chicken pieces and saute in a hot pan with olive oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and deglaze the pan with red wine or chicken broth. I would add in some chopped garlic or onions now, add in the chicken pieces, and the bottle of sauce. Turn the heat down to medium low and cover and cook for at least 30 minutes. That will make the chicken tender and the sauce will become cohesive with all the wine and ingredients added. Serve with pasta.