Found this in my grandmother’s recipe box dated 1962. She circled it three times and wrote ‘keeper’ in the margin.

This Oven-Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Cacciatore Casserole is an easy, rustic dinner made with tender bone-in chicken, green bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs.

The chicken first bakes covered to stay juicy, then finishes uncovered so the sauce thickens and the tops of the chicken develop more color. It’s a simple comfort-food meal that pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or noodles.

Oven-Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Cacciatore Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips
• 1 can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree, 28 ounces
• 1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix, about 0.7 to 1 ounce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or softened butter, optional
• Salt and black pepper, to taste, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or butter if desired.

2. Arrange the chicken

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.

Season lightly with salt and black pepper if using.

Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the baking dish with the meaty side facing upward.

3. Add the bell pepper

Scatter the sliced green bell pepper over and around the chicken.

Tuck some of the pepper strips between the chicken pieces so they cook evenly in the sauce.

4. Prepare the tomato sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes or tomato puree with the dry Italian dressing mix.

Stir until the seasoning is evenly blended into the tomatoes.

5. Pour over the chicken

Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken and bell peppers.

Use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce so all the pieces are well coated.

6. Bake covered

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake on the middle oven rack for 45 minutes.

7. Finish uncovered

Carefully remove the foil.

Spoon some of the pan sauce over the chicken, then return the dish to the oven uncovered.

Bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

8. Rest and serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Serve warm with plenty of the tomato and pepper sauce spooned over pasta, rice, or noodles.

Simple, hearty, and full of classic Italian-inspired flavor, this easy baked chicken casserole makes a comforting weeknight dinner.