In this chicken puttanesca recipe, chicken is pan-seared until golden brown and braised until fall-off-the-bone tender. The briny, garlicky tomato sauce bursts with bold Mediterranean flavor in just one pan and 40 minutes. Serve this no-fuss dinner recipe with crusty bread or fresh homemade focaccia.
Chicken puttanesca is a hearty and gluten-free twist on the Italian classic Pasta Puttanesca. This traditional Italian sauce is flavored generously with olives, capers, and anchovies making your weeknight dinner a true flavor party! Puttanesca, perhaps more than any other sauce, proves that simple pantry dinners can create truly exceptional meals!
Umami-rich anchovies, briny olives, and bright capers turn up the volume on a simple tomato base. The saucy dish gently cooks bone-in chicken thighs until they’re swimming in savory flavor and barely require a knife.
“Fishy” not your thing? Fear not! When cooked, anchovies mellow and melt into a complex, salty and savory taste. This deep flavor is more akin to a briny, meaty flavor that plays well with the other ingredients. Trust me on this. You’re gonna love it.
However, if I’ve failed to convince you, start slow and add only four anchovy fillets. You can always work your way up to eight over time, since I know you’ll be making this one on repeat!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Chicken Puttanesca
The beauty of a classic puttanesca sauce is that it uses almost exclusively pantry ingredients. Keep these staples on hand and to have puttanesca sauce at the ready.
- Chicken: I use bone-in, skin on chicken thighs and drumsticks because they stay juicy and have the most flavor. If you prefer a leaner cut, go ahead and substitute with chicken breast. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts tend to cook faster, so start checking on them at the 15-20 minute mark.
- Flavor-makers: Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and oregano perfume the dish and draw out the authentic Italian flavor. Red pepper flakes and garlic (and lots of it) give the dish a healthy kick. Leave out the red pepper flakes if you don’t like spicy.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings balance to all the briny flavors.
- Briney deliciousness: Anchovy, olives, and capers bring the distinct salty, tangy, and sea-like flavors that’s often described as “briny.” These dominant flavors are what makes a puttanesca what it is, so I don’t recommend substituting them. The amount of anchovy can be tweaked based on your preferences (though I promise they’re packed with umami flavor and not fishy!)
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use a smooth, buttery olive oil that won’t compete with the strong flavors of this dish. I use Nocellara, our Italian variety.
- San Marzano tomatoes: San Marzano tomatoes have a rich, sweet flavor that is balanced by their natural acidity. Plus, their meaty texture means they keep their shape when cooked.
- Parsley: A great big handful of chopped parsley leaves and tender stems adds a welcome freshness to this deeply savory Italian classic.
How to Cook Chicken Puttanesca
Chicken puttanesca builds big flavor quickly in just one pan. This no-fail recipe is served in a few easy steps.
- Get ready: Mince 5 large garlic cloves. Drain 3 tablespoons of capers and slice 1/2 cup of kalamata olives, removing the pit if necessary.
- Season the chicken: Use paper towels to pat the chicken very dry, then season generously all over with kosher salt and black pepper. Don’t forget to rub some salt and pepper underneath the skin as well.
- Sear the chicken: In a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the chicken, skin-side down. Cook until the skin is crispy and golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side until the second side is golden brown as well, about 5 minutes more.
- Season and rest the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a large tray and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Juice one lemon over the chicken. Set aside.
- Start the sauce: Return the skillet to the stove, leaving the chicken fat in the pan. Turn the heat to medium. If the skillet is dry, add a splash of olive oil and then add 4-8 anchovy fillets. You’re going to want to cook the anchovies for 2 minutes or so, pushing them around the skillet and scraping up any brown bits left on the pan. They will break down and almost melt into the oil, infusing it with umami flavor. This is the good stuff!
- Finish the sauce: Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Once the scent of garlic fills the air, stir in 28 ounces of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes. Next, add 1/4 cup of sliced kalamata olives, and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the capers. Finally, add 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir gently to combine, then wait as the sauce comes to a simmer.
- Cook the chicken in the sauce: Nestle the chicken back into the skillet and spoon a bit of the sauce over top. Cover part way, and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F and tender. This takes about 25 to 30 minutes depending on how large your pieces are. While the chicken cooks, chop enough parsley leaves and tender stems to yield 1/2 cup.
- Serve: Top with the remaining 1/4 of olives and 1 1/2 tablespoon of capers. Sprinkle the parsley and serve.
The Secret to Crispy Chicken Skin
Crisping the skin and then braising the chicken in a flavorful sauce is a sure-fire way to get juicy, delicious chicken every time. It’s the same technique we use to make Pollo Alle Melanzane, Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs, and too many other chicken recipes to name. It’s a great skill to perfect and keep in your arsenal.
Luckily, skin on chicken thighs and drumsticks are an especially forgiving cut of meat. Unlike chicken breast, they tenderize the longer they cook. That means you don’t have to worry about dry, bland chicken! Here are a few tips to make your chicken extra crispy on the outside.
- Pat very dry. Moisture is enemy number one when it comes to rendering chicken skin. Make sure the skin is nice and dry so it can crisp up.
- Don’t overcrowd. Rendering chicken is like getting a drink at a bar. It’s easier when it’s not crowded! Too many chicken pieces in your skillet will drop the temperature, which makes it nearly impossible to sear. If you have a smaller skillet, brown the chicken in batches.
- Don’t force the flip. Patience is your friend! Put on a podcast or some music and let the chicken cook on the skin side until golden brown and crispy. Flipping too soon may cause the skin to stick and tear. As the skin crisps, it releases from the pan. That’s how you know it’s ready.
What to Serve Chicken Puttanesca
Chicken Puttanesca is a full meal on its own, but you’ll likely want something to soak up all the sauce. Crispy homemade Rosemary Focaccia, hot and fresh out of the oven is a special treat. Plain noodles tossed with olive oil or crusty bread are also worthy contenders.
For sides, serve with something understated. You don’t want anything going head to head with puttanesca’s flavor. Your oven will be free, so throw in some Roasted Canned Artichoke Hearts for an easy side dish. Or, serve with a bright salad to compliment the brininess of the tomato sauce, like Simple Lemony Arugula Salad With Avocado.
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Chicken Puttanesca
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (I used 4 thighs and 4 drumsticks)
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-8 anchovy filets
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
- 3 tablespoons drained capers
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Use paper towels to pat the chicken pieces dry. Season well with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Rub some salt and pepper underneath the skin as well.
- Sear the chicken: In a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the chicken, skin side down. Cook until the skin is crispy and golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Flip and cook until the second side is golden brown as well, about 5 minutes more.
- Season and rest the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a large tray and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Pour the lemon juice over the chicken. Set it aside for now.
- Start the sauce: Turn the heat to medium. If the skillet is dry, add a little more olive oil. Add the anchovy filets. Cook for about 2 minutes or so, pushing the anchovies around the skillet. They will kind of melt into the oil and infuse it with flavor.
- Finish the sauce: Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, half of the olives, half of the capers, and the dried oregano and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the chicken in the sauce: Add the chicken back into the skillet, nestling it in the sauce. Spoon a bit of the sauce over the chicken. Cover part way, either with a lid or a splatter guard. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 25-30 minutes, depending on how large the pieces are. A thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F.
- Serve: Garnish with the parsley and the remaining olives and capers and serve.
Video
Notes
- If you have a smaller skillet, brown the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This will help crisp the skin.
- Let the chicken sit, skin-side down, until the skin releases from the pan and becomes deeply golden brown. This takes about 5-8 minutes, and is worth every second.
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Followed the recipe to a T! It’s absolutely delicious 😋
Oops, except for the salt under the chicken skin.
I figured the caper, olives, anchovies was enough salt plus the outer chicken salted. It was ! 👍
We served it with abit of pasta and a salad.
Thanks 😊
I love all the flavours! The fragrance of the anchovies and garlic is amazing. Great recipe. I served this with penne pasta. Great, satisfying meal!
Ken
Sounds perfect! Thanks, Ken!
By far my favorite chicken recipe so far!
I have made several of the chicken recipes in your cookbook. Every one of them have been delicious, but this one is spectacular! Now I make extra so I can have leftovers for lunch.
What a delicious and complex dinner treat! The sauce is so wonderful! I did add 1/2 cup red wine. Highly recommend!
Thanks, Rebecca!
Love this recipe
Very delicious
This was SOOO good. I made it for my family and they couldn’t stop raving about it and gave it a 10/10. I made it with your focaccia and WOW. Also an easy meal to make. This will definitely be made for others and many more times.
Thanks so much for the amazing review, Ragna!
Would it work to sear the chicken as described, then put all the sauce ingredients into a crockpot, add the chicken, and cook on low for a few hours?
Hi, Dee. This isn’t something we’ve ever tested, but I think that would work. I don’t believe it would be necessary to sear the chicken first, though, with this method. If you give it a try, please stop back an let us know how it went!
This has become one of my favorite go to meals. I typically use the anchovy paste instead of whole anchovies. I serve it over pasta with a salad and crusty bread.
I’m not a fan of anchovies, and not because I’ve never had them but because of the way they look. In fact, I don’t even think I could touch them with my hands. But with that being said, I love puttanesca and have put off making it simply because I can’t get around the anchovies.
My question is do you know of an anchovy paste I could use instead? I think if it were an unidentifiable paste I could get around my “issue” of the anchovies appearance yet still give the dish the necessary flavor. Or is there a substitution you’d recommend?
Hi, Julie. I totally think anchovy paste could work here as a substitute. Remember, though, anchovy paste is quite potent, so start with a very small amount, taste, and add more as needed.
Gorgeous dish! I served mine with kale made with garlic, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Will definitely do this again
I am not a fan of anchovies on pizza so was huge for me to buy them and try this dish as is but I am so glad I did, omg this sauce was amazing, chicken tender and full of flavor, I would totally make this again!
Thanks so much, Karen!
Made this last night and it was delicious!!! Plan on making for dinner guests… can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Will add that your recipes never fail. I so look forward to your weekly meal planner.
Thanks Suzy.
Absolutely, Lisa! Enjoy!
Thank you for the recipe. great for my low carb high fat and protein lifestyle all Whole Foods. 5 stars for this tasty recipe.
We try many recipes and make up many dishes. Cooking is pretty much a passion. What we have learned at this site has been part of ruining our restaurant experiences as we seldom find one that is better than what we can make at home. This Chicken Puttanesca is the BEST dish we have found in a long time and I am sure we could not find anything this good at a 5-star restaurant.
Love hearing this! Thanks so much, Tom!