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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is the easiest, most delicious approach to the Italian classic dish! This recipe is goof-proof and results in the most tender fall-off-the-bone chicken in an amazing herby red sauce. Serve it over rice or pasta for the most comforting meal that you’ll surely put on repeat.

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore - easy chicken cacciatore recipe made quick and easy in the pressure cooker. Tender, amazing chicken with hardly any effort!

Chicken Cacciatore is a family favorite…a timeless classic my mom and her partner make regularly, and therefore a dish my siblings and I make for our own households. 

It wasn’t until recently that I had the bright idea of preparing Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot. For years, I’ve been making it in my slow cooker, but the thought of whipping it out quicker than what the crock pot could produce was very attractive to me. 

WELL. You’ll never believe how amazing this healthy chicken recipe is until you try it! It’s so easy to make and produces a crazy comforting dinner recipe that the whole family will love. 

Quick and Easy Pressure Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. Make the Italian classic chicken cacciatore in an Instant Pot for a flavorful, healthy dinner

In case you aren’t familiar…

What is Chicken Cacciatore?:

A little google search tells me “Cacciatore” translates to “Hunter” in Italian, and “Alla Cacciatore” means “Hunter-Style.” Hunter-style is a braised chicken or rabbit dish all done up with onion, garlic, tomatoes, bell pepper, wine, and fresh herbs. This type of dish is either served with pasta or rice (most typically pasta).

While there are many renditions on a classic cacciatore, some without wine, some without bell pepper, some with olives, some with mushrooms, some with capers, I find the combination of ingredients in this recipe right here to be a classic approach and also so scrumptious!

What does chicken cacciatore taste like? A sweet, tangy, tomato-y, herby delight with the most succulent chicken to ever grace your mouth.

Let’s make it happen!

Easy Chicken Cacciatore made in the Instant Pot - chicken stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and carrots for a healthy, flavorful dinner recipe

Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore:

Chicken: while chicken cacciatore can easily be made using boneless chicken pieces, I’ve always found it turns out extra amazing when using  bone-in skin-on chicken. The added fat and the bone ensures you end up with mega flavorful, tender chicken that basically shreds and falls off the bone once it’s out of the Instant Pot.

Vegetables: Onion, garlic, carrots, and bell pepper (I use yellow bell pepper but you can use any color you like) are the vegetables I consistently use for chicken cacciatore. The combination results in rich, bold flavor with added sweetness, which is a nice offset to the acidity of the tomato sauce. Some people add celery, whole olives, and/or capers, so feel free to toss any of these in if they’re interesting to you!

Sauce: The sauce for this chicken cacciatore recipe consists of crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and white wine. If you have it on hand, you can substitute 28 ounces of your favorite pasta sauce for the crushed tomatoes, and/or omit the wine if you don’t use it in your cooking. 

Seasonings: Dried Italian seasoning, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper are all we need to make this easy dinner recipe taste nice and herby and amazing! If you love dried oregano, and/or parsley, toss it in! You can also incorporate fresh herbs if you have them on hand.

Optional Add-Ins: 

  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 cup whole black olives
  • 2 Tbsp capers
  • ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore in less than an hour. This simple Italian classic of chicken stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and carrots is a true delight and so easy to make

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore:

Sprinkle the chicken pieces with paprika, sea salt and pepper and set aside.

Plug in your Instant Pot and press the ‘Sauté’ button. Add the avocado oil and allow the pressure cooker to heat up for a couple of minutes, then add the chopped onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to turn translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Onion sauteeing in an Instant Pot

Place the chicken pieces in the Instant Pot, fat-side down and allow them to brown 3 minutes per side – depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you may need to do this step in two batches.

how to make chicken cacciatore in an instant pot
Browning chicken in the instant pot

Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, wine, garlic, and Italian seasoning, and stir everything around.

Add the broth, tomato sauce and seasonings to the instant pot

Add the bell pepper and carrots and allow them to rest on top.

Add the bell pepper and carrots to the instant pot

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure the steam vent is sealed, then press the Manual button and adjust the time for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure cooker to run its course. When finished, allow it to naturally release (or go into Keep Warm mode) for 10 minutes (up to 50). 

Manually release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Give everything a big stir and taste the sauce for flavor. Add sea salt to taste.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Cacciatore - an easy recipe for the Italian classic dish made in the pressure cooker

Serve with choice of rice or noodles and enjoy!

For a slow cooker version of this recipe, make my Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore!

More Healthy Chicken Recipes:

Easy Chicken Cacciatore made in the Instant Pot - chicken stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and carrots for a healthy, flavorful dinner recipe

Enjoy!

xo

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If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore - easy chicken cacciatore recipe made quick and easy in the pressure cooker. Tender, amazing chicken with hardly any effort!

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is mouth-wateringly tender and delicious and is SO easy to make!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 1/2 to 4 lbs bone-in skin on chicken pieces
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, or color of choice

Instructions

  • Sprinkle the chicken pieces with paprika, sea salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Plug in your Instant Pot and press the ‘Saute’ button. Add the avocado oil and allow the pressure cooker to heat up for a couple of minutes, then add the chopped onion. Saute, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to turn translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Place the chicken pieces in the Instant Pot, fat-side down and allow them to brown 3 minutes per side – depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you may need to do this step in two batches.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, wine, garlic, and Italian seasoning, and stir well. Add the chopped carrots and bell pepper and allow them to rest on top.
  • Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure the steam vent is sealed, then press the Manual button and adjust the time for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure cooker to run its course. When finished, allow it to naturally release (or go into Keep Warm mode) for 10 minutes (up to 50).
  • Manually release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Give everything a big stir and taste the sauce for flavor. Add sea salt to taste.
  • Serve chicken with choice of rice or noodles

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 31gFat: 21gFiber: 6gSugar: 8g
Course: Main Course, Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bell pepper, chicken, instant pot, pressure cooker
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Author: Julia
Instant Pot Easy Chicken Cacciatore - tender chicken stewed in tomato sauce with peppers, carrots and herbs for a comforting, healthy dinner
Recipe Rating




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Liz

Thursday 5th of November 2020

Hi there, what are your suggestions for making this recipe for the slow cooker? Backing off the liquid a little? I really love the way your version comes out and it looks different than your “slow cooker cacciatore” on your site. I would love to make this but I don’t have an instant pot. Thank you!

Julia

Thursday 5th of November 2020

Hi Liz! I just added the slow cooker version :) Let me know if you have any other questions! xoxo

Laura Mead

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

Hello, I am making this recipe today I I don't see tomato paste in the ingredients or the amount. the only place I see tomato paste is int how to make , the instructions. so I added a couple of tablespoons.

Julia

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

Hi Laura, You nailed it - two tablespoons is perfect!

Liz H.

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

Hi there! Would you be able to provide the slow cooker instructions? Thank you! Can’t wait to make this?

Shirley

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

The Italians in the family are already planning on which bread to serve with this dish!

Julia

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

Woop woop! Let me know how you like it!! xoxoxox

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