If you’re searching for a hearty Italian comfort meal that practically cooks itself, you’re going to love this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore. Packed with juicy chicken thighs, sweet peppers, earthy mushrooms, and lush tomato sauce, this dish brings rustic flavors to your dinner table with almost no effort. The classic stew gets a weeknight-friendly makeover thanks to pressure cooking, all while letting your kitchen fill up with delicious savory aromas. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is all about big flavors, minimal fuss, and cozy satisfaction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is how a handful of simple, vibrant ingredients come together for a meal that’s both nourishing and full of soul. Each component adds a unique flavor or texture, and even the smallest sprinkle of herbs plays an important role in bringing that classic Italian flair.
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skinless thighs stay extra juicy and tender under pressure, making them perfect for slow-simmered flavors.
- Olive Oil: Adds rich, silky body to the sauce and helps sauté those veggies to fragrant perfection.
- Onion: Brings mellow sweetness as your flavor base and beautifully complements the tomatoes.
- Garlic: Delivers those classic Italian aromatics, turning up the savory notes in every bite.
- Red Bell Pepper: Offers a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, which brightens up the stew.
- Green Bell Pepper: Brings a slight bitterness and crunch, for depth and balance.
- Mushrooms: Add earthy, umami flavor and soak up all that luscious tomato sauce.
- Dried Oregano: A must-have for Italian stews, adding warmth and a subtle herbal kick.
- Dried Basil: Offers soft, peppery sweetness for a true cacciatore taste.
- Dried Thyme: Lends gentle, woodsy flavor that rounds out the dish.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together—don’t skip it!
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick that perks up the juicy chicken.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For anyone who loves a little heat with their Italian comfort food.
- Dry White Wine: Gives your sauce lovely acidity and depth, lifting all those rich flavors.
- Crushed Tomatoes: A can brings body, tang, and color, tying the whole sauce together.
- Fresh Parsley: Finishes everything with a pop of color and fresh, garden-bright flavor.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and swirl in the olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your diced onion and let it cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often until it turns soft and golden. Add the minced garlic, letting it bloom for another 30 seconds—this is the secret to a deeply aromatic base that makes Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore irresistible.
Step 2: Add the Peppers and Mushrooms
Stir in the sliced red and green bell peppers and the mushrooms. Sauté everything together for 2 to 3 minutes. The goal is to let the veggies soften just a bit while soaking up the garlicky, oniony goodness—these layers of flavor are what make this dish so cozy and vibrant.
Step 3: Season and Deglaze
Sprinkle in your oregano, basil, thyme, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a hint of spice). Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon, loosening all those savory browned bits—they’re flavor gold!
Step 4: Add the Chicken and Tomatoes
Now, press Cancel to turn off the Sauté function. Nestle the chicken thighs on top of your veggie mixture, then pour the crushed tomatoes right over everything. Resist the urge to stir—this helps the chicken cook just right and lets the sauce mingle without sticking.
Step 5: Pressure Cook
Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook mode on High for 12 minutes. When time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. This gentle finish ensures your chicken comes out meltingly tender while the sauce stays rich and thick.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Open the lid carefully and check that your chicken is cooked through—it should be delightfully fork-tender. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish, generously spooning the sauce and vegetables over the top. Shower with freshly chopped parsley and let the colors and aromas announce that dinner’s ready!
How to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Garnishes
No Italian classic is complete without a sprinkle of something fresh. A generous handful of chopped fresh parsley is key; it brings a little burst of brightness that plays off the savory notes. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of good olive oil makes Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore feel like a special night out—right at your own table.
Side Dishes
This saucy chicken is practically begging to be paired with something that will catch all those luscious juices. Pile it over al dente pasta (spaghetti or rigatoni work wonders), fluffy white rice, or even creamy polenta for a truly soul-warming meal. And if you’re a bread lover, crusty Italian bread is your best friend for sopping up every last bit of that tomato-rich sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
When you want to amp up the wow factor, try serving Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore “family-style” on a big platter, scattered with parsley. Or, for a dinner party, set out small bowls with a piece of chicken and spoonfuls of sauce for a rustic Italian tasting experience. For leftovers, shred the chicken and spoon it over toasted ciabatta for an open-faced sandwich you’ll crave all week!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore tastes even better the next day, as all those flavors continue to meld. Simply tuck any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens up a little overnight, making next-day lunches extra satisfying.
Freezing
If you’d like to save a batch for later, this dish freezes like a dream! Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then pack it into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags (removing as much air as you can). It will keep for up to 3 months—just label it so you can remember that little taste of Italy is waiting for you.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first for best results. A splash of broth or water can help loosen the sauce as it reheats. Either way, Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore comes back to life beautifully!
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken instead of bone-in thighs?
Absolutely! While bone-in chicken thighs give the dish classic flavor and tenderness, boneless thighs or even chicken breasts work well if you prefer. Just keep an eye on the cook time, as boneless chicken tends to cook a little faster and can dry out if overdone.
Is there a substitute for the wine?
You can swap the dry white wine for chicken broth or even vegetable stock if you’re avoiding alcohol. The wine adds a subtle tang and depth, but broth keeps the sauce just as rich and cozy.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is wonderfully adaptable. Try adding zucchini, carrots, or even olives for a twist. Chop them into bite-size pieces and add them with the peppers and mushrooms for extra color and flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is naturally gluten-free as written. Just be sure to serve it with gluten-free pasta, rice, or bread if you need to keep the whole meal gluten-free.
How can I make the dish spicier?
If you love a kick, just increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, or even stir in a pinch of cayenne at the same time as your spices. A jarred Calabrian chili paste also stirs in beautifully if you like deep, smoky heat.
Final Thoughts
Bringing Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore to your table means enjoying classic Italian comfort with hardly any effort—and that’s what makes this dish a true weeknight winner. I hope you’ll give it a try, share it with loved ones, and let it become your new go-to for cozy, colorful dinners. Buon appetito!
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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe is a delicious and easy Italian-inspired dish that is perfect for a comforting family meal. Tender chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce with a medley of vegetables, herbs, and white wine, all made conveniently in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquid:
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Cook onion, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Add seasonings.
- Deglaze: Pour in white wine, simmer, and scrape up browned bits.
- Add Chicken and Tomatoes: Place chicken thighs on vegetables, pour crushed tomatoes over. Pressure cook for 12 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Release pressure, check chicken doneness. Serve chicken with sauce and vegetables, garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
