Contest-Winning Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up and skin removed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 to 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained, or 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup white wine or water
• Hot cooked pasta
• Optional: shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley