The Best Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe You’ll Adore

My culinary adventures with instant pot chicken cacciatore always spark excitement in my kitchen.

Rustic Italian flavors dance through this classic comfort dish, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Classic ingredients merge seamlessly inside the pressure cooker, creating tender meat infused with rich tomato and herb notes.

Robust marinara sauce mingles with succulent chicken pieces, developing deep, complex flavors in mere minutes.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this traditional recipe comes together without sacrificing authentic taste.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this simple yet impressive one-pot wonder that connects you to generations of Italian cooking traditions.

Let’s uncover the magic of this delectable meal that will make everyone gather around the table.

What Makes Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore a Winner

• Crush Cooking Time: This Instant Pot recipe slashes traditional stovetop cooking hours, delivering a delicious meal in minimal time with simple pressure cooking techniques.
• Minimize Kitchen Mess: Using a single pot for browning, sautéing, and pressure cooking reduces dirty dishes and streamlines the entire cooking process.
• Versatile Meal Maker: Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or hosting friends, this chicken cacciatore adapts easily to different dietary preferences and serves multiple people.
• Beginner-Friendly Technique: Foolproof instructions and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks at any skill level, ensuring consistent delicious results every single time.

What’s Inside Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

• Chicken Thighs: A tender and flavorful meat that serves as the primary protein for this classic Italian dish.

• Mushrooms, Celery, Onion, Garlic: A blend of aromatic vegetables that create a rich and savory base for the chicken cacciatore.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Fresh tomato ingredients that provide a robust and tangy sauce foundation.
• Herbes de Provence: A traditional French herb blend that adds Mediterranean flavor and depth to the dish.
• Water, Bouillon Cube: Liquid and seasoning that enhance the overall savoriness of the recipe.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper: Spices that add heat and complexity to the final flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: A classic cooking fat that helps brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables, adding richness to the dish.

Quick and Easy Guide to Chicken Cacciatore

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using Sauté mode. Carefully place chicken thighs into the hot oil and brown them beautifully on both sides, creating a golden exterior that locks in delicious flavors.

Cook for about 6 minutes per side until they develop a rich, caramelized color. Transfer the chicken to a nearby plate.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

• Mushrooms
• Celery
• Onion

Sauté these vegetables until they become wonderfully soft and start releasing their aromatic goodness. Add minced garlic and cook until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrance, which takes roughly 2 minutes.

Step 3: Combine All Ingredients

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste

Sprinkle herbes de Provence over the mixture.

Add water and drop in a bouillon cube to amplify the depth of flavor.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Lock the Instant Pot lid securely.

Set the machine to high pressure and allow 10-15 minutes for pressure to build. Cook on high pressure for 11 minutes, letting the magic happen inside the pot.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Carefully release the pressure using the quick-release method. Verify the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

For a more luxurious sauce, remove the chicken and simmer the liquid on Sauté mode until it reaches your desired thickness. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and black pepper to add a final zesty touch.

Serve hot and enjoy this rustic, comforting meal.

Handy Tips for Better Chicken Cacciatore

• Opt for bone-in chicken thighs to enhance flavor and keep the meat incredibly juicy during pressure cooking.
• Pat chicken dry before browning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in delicious flavors.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken bouillon or replacing it with homemade chicken stock for a lighter version.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with a small pinch and increase according to personal spice preference.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and moisture.

Chicken Cacciatore Flavor Variations to Explore

• Mediterranean Melody: Replace herbes de Provence with fresh oregano and basil. Add kalamata olives and capers for an authentic Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Safari: Swap tomato paste for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Include black beans, corn, and jalapeños to create a zesty Tex-Mex inspired chicken cacciatore.
• Rustic Woodland Version: Incorporate wild mushrooms like porcini and shiitake. Include fresh thyme and a splash of red wine to enhance the earthy, rich undertones of the dish.
• California Fresh Remix: Mix in roasted bell peppers and zucchini. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and use fire-roasted tomatoes for a bright, lighter version of the classic recipe.

Best Pairings for Chicken Cacciatore

• Pair with Hearty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato and herb flavors, cutting through the chicken's savory profile.
• Serve Over Creamy Polenta: Create a velvety base with traditional Italian polenta, which absorbs the robust sauce and provides a smooth texture contrast to the tender chicken pieces.
• Match with Crusty Rustic Bread: Choose a rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious sauce, offering a crispy texture that enhances the dish's Mediterranean essence.
• Complement with Fresh Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy chicken cacciatore, adding a bright, peppery note that refreshes the palate.

How to Store Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains moist and flavorful.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken cacciatore to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, it will maintain quality for 2-3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Microwave Reheating: Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Stovetop Reheating: Pour chicken cacciatore into a skillet, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Q&A

• Why use herbes de Provence in this recipe?

Herbes de Provence adds a classic Mediterranean flavor profile with its blend of dried herbs like thyme, basil, rosemary, and oregano, enhancing the traditional Italian chicken cacciatore taste.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts work, but thighs are more flavorful and tender. If using breasts, reduce cooking time to 8-9 minutes to prevent drying out.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your bouillon cube and tomato paste are certified gluten-free, as some brands might contain gluten additives.

• How spicy can I make this dish?

Control heat by adjusting red pepper flakes.

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 42-47 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty instant pot chicken cacciatore brings rustic Italian countryside comfort directly to dinner tables with minimal effort. Succulent chicken simmers in rich tomato sauce, infusing bold herbs and tender vegetables into a one-pot meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin-on

Vegetables:

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Optional: Red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Instant Pot by activating Sauté mode and heating olive oil until shimmering. Deeply brown chicken thighs for approximately 6 minutes per side, creating a rich golden crust. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. Introduce mushrooms, celery, and onion into the pot, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender, roughly 5 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and continue cooking until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
3. Carefully return browned chicken to the pot. Pour in diced tomatoes and tomato paste, generously sprinkling herbes de Provence over the mixture. Add water and dissolve the bouillon cube throughout the liquid.
4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring proper locking. Program the device to high pressure, allowing 10-15 minutes for pressure accumulation. Cook at high pressure for 11 minutes to ensure thorough chicken preparation.
5. Cautiously perform a quick-release method to reduce pressure. Verify chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety. If desired, remove chicken and reduce sauce on Sauté mode until reaching optimal thickness.
6. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper. Plate the chicken and generously coat with the rich, concentrated sauce.

Notes

• Chicken Selection: Opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness during pressure cooking.
• Moisture Management: Pat chicken completely dry before browning to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior that seals in juices.
• Spice Flexibility: Customize herbes de Provence with fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a personalized herbal profile.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap chicken for firm tofu or tempeh to create a delicious vegetarian version that maintains the rich, savory essence of the traditional recipe.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 32-37 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg