Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore, delicious quick and easy family dinner that is a favorite with my kids. The chicken is super moist and tender from a rich tomato sauce enhanced with wine and balsamic vinegar. It's surrounded by fresh tender mushrooms and peppers. Dinner is ready in 30 minutes. It doesn't get better than that!
This is one recipe from the family archives. I am taking my Mom's delicious recipe and making it in the Instant Pot.
Super easy and quick.
This will become a weeknight rescue meal for you! Cooking for 1, 2, 3, 4, or like me 6+, it's an "I'm in a bind and I need real food, real fast recipe."
There are more ingredients than I normally use but they are easy to put together. It really is an easy dish that once you have cut your veggies and seasoned your meat, the Instant Pot does the rest and you can enjoy a glass of wine.
What's the origin of Chicken Cacciatore?
Chicken Cacciatore has Italian roots! Cacciatore means "hunter-style", which includes poultry, onions, tomatoes, vinegar or wine, and herbs. The end results are an aromatic dinner that smells and tastes amazing.
Can I freeze the Chicken?
Yes, make a double batch and freeze the chicken to eat another day. Place chicken in freezer bags and keep in the freezer until ready to eat. This is a great meal to add to your make-ahead meal plans.
Can I make this meal ahead of time and reheat?
Feel free to make the recipe early. I have placed the Pot in the fridge and just reheated in the Instant pot by using "Saute". If reheating in the oven, bake at 325F for 15 minutes.
What sides can I serve with this recipe?
- mashed cauliflower  A low-carb combo dinner for those looking for fewer calories and a delicious meal.
- spaghetti squash - A fantastic combo to pair tender squash with this aromatic dinner.
- mashed potatoes - the taters soak up all the juice and pair well with the chicken.
- zoodles- low carb, gluten-free, use a combo of green and yellow zucchini for nice color contrast.
Can I make this on the stovetop?
Absolutely. If you do not have an pressure cooker or want to make it in a saute pan, the instructions for stovetop are included in the recipe.
What are the best cuts of poultry to make cacciatore?
I use bone-in chicken breasts and drumsticks with the skin removed. Removing the skin, reduces fat. If you prefer, leave the skin on the chicken. Chicken thighs also work well. Boneless chicken can be used for the recipe but they will not have as much flavor.
Can I use other vegetables in Chicken Cacciatore?
Absolutely, feel free to add your favorite veggies. Some veggies to use: carrots, celery, zucchini, and cauliflower would be great additions to this recipe. Also, any color pepper can be used in the sauce.
Pro tips for making the best Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore?
- Cut your veggies before beginning to cook so everything is ready to add to the pot.
- Don't forget to season and brown the chicken. This adds flavor to the chicken and sauce.
- Use pieces of chicken that are approximately the same size so they cook evenly.
- Your chicken pieces should be at 165 degrees when cooked through.
- When adding the balsamic vinegar and wine to the pot, use a wooden spoon to brush up any brown bits. This adds flavor but also prevents the "burning" message on the Instant Pot.
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6-Quart Instant Pot: The instant pot has been a game-changer for me. When I have no time, I still can have a great meal in 30 minutes. Quicker than a delivery service.
Cooking Utensils: These are great utensils for the Instant Pot and any other cooking utensils.
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How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore:
- Set Pot to saute, spray with non-stick spray. Add chicken to brown, remove and set aside.
- Saute onions and mushrooms for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic.Â
- Stir in red peppers and mushrooms. Saute for about 2-3minutes to soften veggies.Â
- Â Add the wine and vinegar to the Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon to get up any brown bits off the bottom of the insert. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce liquids.
- Stir in the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, without juice, tomato paste, basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper, 2-3 minutes. Then add back in chicken and olives.Â
- Cover the Instant pot with the Lid. Set to high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Natural release for 5 minutes. Turn the valve to open to release the remaining steam.
- In step 3, reducing the liquids allows the flavors to blend into the chicken pieces for flavor.
Some other meals you may enjoy:
- Low-Carb Chicken Piccata: one of my most popular recipes made with almond flour.
- Instant Pot Pork Ragu: A hearty red sauce made with pork over pappardelle noodles.
- Chicken Mole: A recipe with some spice that is perfect over Spanish rice, riced cauliflower or roasted spaghetti squash.
- One-Pot Herb and Garlic Chicken Pasta:Â A delicious one-pot chicken and pasta meal.
- One-Pot Chicken Chicken and Vegetable Pasta: A one-pot pasta meal that is full of flavor and veggies for everyone to love.
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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
Seasoning for Chicken
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken breasts or drumsticks, skin removed about 6 ounces each see note 1
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Chicken Cacciatore Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and diced
- 1 large red pepper, seeded and sliced thin
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced thin
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup white wine I use a Pinot Grigio
- ½ cup fat-free chicken stock
- 14 ½ ounce can of diced tomatoes fire roasted tomatoes are preferred
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese optional garnish
- fresh basil or parsley optional garnish
Instructions
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Season the chicken with the seasoning.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute, add the olive oil. Add in the chicken pieces to brown all sides, about 6 minutes. Once the chicken is brown, remove and set aside.
- If needed, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add in the onions, saute for a minute. Stir in the red pepper and mushrooms, and garlic. Saute another 2 minutes to soften the veggies.
- Add in the balsamic vinegar and white wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown drippings at the bottom of the Instant Pot. (This brings flavor but also helps prevent the burn code on the Instant Pot).
- Mix in the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Kalamata olives, bay leaf, Italian Seasoning, and dried parsley. Stir ingredients. Add back in the chicken pieces.
- Press Cancel on the Instant Pot. Place lid on Instant Pot, lock and turn the steam valve to close. Select pressure cooking, High, 10 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, natural release for about 5 minutes. Then switch to a quick-release. Consult manufacturer's instructions if needed for operating your Instant Pot. Remove cover and discard bay leaf.
- Serve the Chicken Cacciatore with your favorite sides. Low-carb choices are roasted spaghetti squash, zoodles, mashed cauliflower. Other choices are mashed potatoes or your favorite pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
Stovetop Chicken Cacciatore
- Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Season the chicken with the seasoning.
- Use a large saute pan or Dutch Oven over medium heat, add olive oil. Add in the chicken pieces to brown all sides, about 6 minutes. Once the chicken is brown, remove and set aside.Â
- If needed, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add in the onions, saute for 2 minutes to soften onions.
- Stir in the red pepper and mushrooms. Saute another 2 minutes to soften the veggies. Add in the garlic.Â
- Add in the balsamic vinegar and white wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown drippings at the bottom of the pot.
- Mix in the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Kalamata olives, bay leaf, Italian Seasoning, and dried parsley. Stir ingredients. Add back in the chicken pieces.
- Reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid. Let cook about 40-45 minutes. Chicken should be at 165F when cooked through.
- Serve with any of the suggested sides above.
Notes
- Cut your veggies before beginning to cook so everything is ready to add to the pot.
- Don't forget to season and brown the chicken. This adds flavor to the chicken and sauce.
- Use pieces of chicken that are approximately the same size so they cook evenly.
- Your chicken pieces should be at 165 degrees when cooked through.
- When adding the balsamic vinegar and wine to the pot, use a wooden spoon to brush up any brown bits. This adds flavor but also prevents the "burning" message on the Instant Pot
- I am not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes
Nutrition
Tina
Is it possible to use skinless diced chicken? Would that change the cooking time?
Eileen xo
I have not tried this recipe using skinless diced chicken. I would estimate and reduce cooking time by 2 minutes. Let me know how it goes.I have to try this myself.
Anonymous
I adore slow cooker recipes and this one looks absolutely divine! Can’t wait to try it ?
Eileen xo
One of my favorite recipes. I hope you love the chicken
Donald Sills
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am recently retired and have been trying my hand at cooking. (much to my wife's delight, I might add since she hates to cook.) One of the first things I did was buy an Instant Pot. What a way to begin!!!! Because of it and recipe's like yours even I could not mess up the meal. I seem to enjoy getting the meal together and cutting the veggie's ect. Seems soothing to me. In reading the comments to your recipe and others it seems as if quite a few people don't have an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THEY GET ONE. I now have 3 different sizes and use the largest when my 7 grandchildren and their families get together. Even prepared a Lithuanian meal for them one time.
For your recipe do you recommend adding additional veggies like carrots and celery? Also, can you substitute dry sherry for the white wine?
Eileen xo
You have made my day Donald. I am so glad you enjoy the recipe. I would love to hear more about your Lithuanian recipes. I do always recommend using your favorite veggies in all recipes. I am so glad you enjoy your Instant Pot. Donald, sherry can sub for wine in this recipe.
Julie Leonard
Hi Eileen,
Any tips for doubling this recipe? I have an 8qt pressure cooker
Eileen xo
Hi Julie, I use an 8-quart Instant Pot for this recipe! I haven't doubled the recipe yet. If I were to double the recipe, I would double all the ingredients. You should still have plenty of room in the Instant Pot! I would keep the times the same. The pot may take a few minutes longer to heat up because there are more ingredients in it but that should not affect the end result. I hope you check back in after you make it and let me know how it worked out doubling the recipe! xo
Karyl Henry
My college roommate and I used to make chicken cacciatore all the time! And I don't think I've made it since then...but this delicious recipe is inspiring me to break it back out. I don't have an instant pot, but I can definitely do it on teh stove. Thank you for this!
Eileen xo
Absolutely Karyl! This chicken cacciatore is awesome on the stovetop, enjoy!
Andrea
My family loves Chicken Cacciatore but I never thought of making it in a Instant Pot, brilliant idea!
Eileen xo
Fabulous Andrea! I hope you enjoy Chicken Cacciatore!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Wow, now this is my kind of dinner... so yummy! And it sounds so easy to make in an instant pot, I need to get my hands on one asap!
Eileen xo
Thank you Sam! It is a favorite of the family too!
lauren
I am all for bulking up my Instant Pot recipe collection! Chicken cacciatore is soooo good but it's also so time consuming. I can't wait to try this in the instant pot - an all day meal cooked in minutes!
Eileen xo
Lauren, I am so glad you enjoyed the chicken cacciatore!
Elizabeth Leaver
Chicken Cacciatore is a favourite of mine, but I'd never have thought to try it in the instant pot. It makes it so quick and easy! Perfect for a weeknight meal.
Eileen xo
Elizabeth, the chicken is great in the Instant Pot! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
We like to make Chicken Cacciatore, but never made it in an Instant Pot (we do not have one 😉 . I like that it is easy to throw everything together and customize all the add-ins!
Eileen xo
I held off on an Instant Pot because i grew up with a pressure cooker! An instant pot is amazing! i hope you make the investment!
Michelle
Both my mum and my nan used pressure cookers and I remember being terrified of the top exploding up through the kitchen ceiling! This looks like a lovely recipe, and so handy that it can be made so quickly, perfect for busy weeknights x
Eileen xo
Michelle, oh my, me too! My Granny had a pressure cooker and we said a prayer every time she used it! They have come a long way! These new ip are awesome!
Jennifer
I love this instant pot recipe! I'm always looking for more recipes I can make in my Instant Pot!
Eileen xo
I am so glad you are adding this to your instant pot recipes Jennifer! Enjoy!
Sherri
Instant pot dinners ready in 30 minutes like this are so perfect for busy families! So much flavor, good for you ingredients and easy to make! Perfect!
Eileen xo
You are so right Sherri! This is a favorite of ours and i am glad you enjoy!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
This looks so delicious! Instant pot recipes are a winner for quick and tasty meals!
Eileen xo
Thank you Carrie! i am glad you enjoy!
Linda
I've been making a very similar recipe to this for years but haven't tried it in my Instant Pot yet. What a great idea to get a dinner on the table so much quicker and with a lot less cleanup. Love your suggestions for keeping it low catb too especially with my new favorite, riced cauliflower.
Eileen xo
Awesome Linda! i hope you make your recipe or mine in the Instant Pot! It is such a game changer! Enjoy!
Todd Waldemar
Hi Eileen!
I simply loved watching the recipe. It looks delicious and scrumptious. Thanks for sharing this. I love watching foodies and people who love t share about food as i am into this business for years now.
I will do try this recipe and share my views on it.
Cheers to your work!!
Todd.
Eileen xo
That is awesome Todd! I am glad you enjoy the recipe and I appreciate the sharing of my recipes!
Connie Z
I love your recipe! I have been looking for an easy recipe to make in the Instant Pot. I just made this and it is delicious. I am having a hard time not eating it, I am waiting for the family to get home for dinner. It is delicious. I made pasta with it for the family and roasted some squash for myself. Thank you Eileen for the recipe/
Eileen xo
This is awesome Connie! I am so happy you liked the recipe and I hope our family loves it too!