Chicken Cacciatora

Prep: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 Servings

2 lbs chicken pieces, skinned, boned & cooked
2 medium onions, sliced in thick slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
4-5 large, blanched & peeled tomatoes
8 oz tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
2 bay leaves
8 oz package spaghetti
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Cook onions & garlic in olive oil until clear. Combine remaining ingredients, except pasta. Heat & cover, simmer for 45 minutes. Just before sauce is done, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain & serve pasta topped with chicken & sauce.

Tips & Tricks:
Canned tomatoes can be used in place of fresh. Make ahead extra chicken & reserve to use in this recipe the following day. The chicken & sauce can be prepared & frozen for future use. Simply cook pasta & thaw sauce on the day you plan to serve. You can also prepare this in a crock pot: rather than sauteing onions & garlic, omit oil & combine all ingredients, including raw (skinned & boned) chicken pieces in crock pot on low heat all day.

Make it Healthier:
Use chicken breast meat. Use reduced sodium tomato sauce & omit salt. Steam onions & garlic in microwave with water & omit olive oil. Serve with whole wheat pasta.