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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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