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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore sounds fancy but it is really an easy meal to prepare. The instant pot makes it super fast and the chicken is tender and flavorful with lots of bell peppers, tomatoes and more.

Close up image of Chicken Cacciatore on a wooden spoon
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Dinner time can be a little hectic but fast meals like this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore really take the stress out of feeding a family.

Toss everything into the pressure cooker and in less than 30 minutes, dinner is ready for your family to enjoy. Check out more quick and easy instant pot recipes.

If you prefer you can also make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe.

Table of Contents

What is Chicken Cacciatore?

This Classic Italian dish is loaded with flavor. Cacciatore means to have your chicken hunter style which is cooked in a tomato based sauce. The chicken is so tender and the tomato sauce is loaded with veggies for amazing flavor.

Serve it all over pasta or rice for a simple meal idea your family will absolutely love.

Ingredients

Chicken Cacciatore ingredients - chicken thighs, salt and pepper, olive oil, onion, bell peppers, garlic, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, black olives, capers, fresh parsley
  • Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • Onion
  • Bell Peppers (any color)
  • Garlic
  • Mushrooms
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Chicken Broth
  • Dried Oregano
  • Dried Basil
  • Black Olives
  • Capers (optional)
  • Fresh Parsley

Scroll to see the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Chicken – We used chicken thighs in this recipe, but you can also use chicken breasts.
  • Seasoning – Feel free to add or change seasoning to what you prefer. You can add in ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or black pepper for extra flavor of spice. Fresh herbs are a great options such as thyme, cloves garlic, or fresh basil.

Step by Step Instructions

  • Step 1 – Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Placing chicken thighs in the instant pot

Step 2 – Turn the Instant Pot to saute function and heat the olive oil. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and brown for about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate and set aside.

Placing the peppers, onions and mushrooms in the instant pot

Step 3 – In the pot, add the bell peppers and onion, sautéing until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

Pouring sauce and seasoning in the instant pot

Step 4 – Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and basil.

Topping the sauce with cooked chicken in the instant pot

Step 5 – Return the chicken to the pot. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to ‘Manual’ or high pressure for 10 minutes to pressure cook.

  • Step 6 – After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
  • Step 7 – Open the lid, add black olives and capers (if using). If the sauce is too thin, simmer using ‘Sauté’ until it thickens.
  • Step 8 – Garnish with parsley before serving.

Recipe Tips

  • Cooking Chicken – Brown the chicken thighs on the sauté option in the pressure cooker to brown the outside. Then remove to continue cooking the veggies tender. You can serve the chicken whole or shred it.
  • Cooking Time – Cooking time will vary based on your instant pot and size of chicken. We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through.
Close up image of cooked chicken cacciatore in the instant pot

Serving Suggestions

This chicken cacciatore is delicious served with your favorite pasta or over white rice. We have even made zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb option.

When serving with spaghetti or fettuccini noodles, we like to make our homemade breadsticks to make sure we every last drop of the sauce.

Chicken cacciatore on a plate with spaghetti noodles

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Thicken Sauce

If you need a thicker sauce, you can add in a cornstarch slurry to the tomato sauce mixture. This can be made with 2 tbsp of cornstarch and water combined together in a bowl. You may add a can of tomato paste to help thicken the sauce.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last about 4 days and taste even better the next day. The tomato sauce marinates into the chicken leaving the chicken tender and juicy.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop depending on how much you have leftover.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this chicken cacciatore instant pot recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Review Pin Print

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

5 from 2 votes
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore sounds fancy but it is really an easy meal to prepare. The instant pot makes it super fast and the chicken is so flavorful.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
(plus time to come to pressure and natural release) 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Italian
Course Main Course
Calories 793
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 Bell Peppers (sliced) any color
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup Mushrooms (sliced)
  • 1 can Crushed Tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives (pitted and sliced)
  • 2 Tablespoons Capers (drained) optional
  • Fresh Parsley (chopped) for garnish
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Instructions

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Turn the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and heat the olive oil. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and brown for about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  • In the pot, add the onion and bell peppers, sautéing until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and basil.
  • Return the chicken to the pot. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' on high for 10 minutes.
  • After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
  • Open the lid, add black olives and capers (if using). If the sauce is too thin, simmer using 'Sauté' until it thickens.
  • Garnish with parsley before serving.

Recipe Notes

Chicken Preparation: Patting the chicken dry is crucial for achieving a good sear. Moisture on the chicken can steam it rather than brown it, which affects both texture and flavor.
Browning in Batches: If your Instant Pot isn’t large enough to brown all the chicken thighs at once without overcrowding, do it in batches. Overcrowding can prevent proper browning.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 793kcal, Carbohydrates 18g, Protein 51g, Fat 58g, Saturated Fat 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat 11g, Monounsaturated Fat 27g, Trans Fat 0.2g, Cholesterol 284mg, Sodium 1428mg, Potassium 1178mg, Fiber 5g, Sugar 9g, Vitamin A 2396IU, Vitamin C 89mg, Calcium 101mg, Iron 4mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    Judy – I’m sorry for the confusion. This recipe has recently been updated and I have corrected the recipe to reflect the updated instructions. I recommend browning the chicken with the vegetables and then pressuring cooking for 10 minutes. I hope you try and enjoy the recipe!

  2. Judy says:

    The description says to brown the chicken & saute the veggies in the insta pot, add all together & pressure cook 10 minutes, but the instructions say to put everything in the pot at once & pressure cook for 25 minutes. Please explain! Thank you, Judy

  3. Carrie says:

    Yes, I used frozen when I made this recipe but you can use fresh too just reduce the cook time by 1 hour on low.

  4. John says:

    Did you use frozen chicken?
    Thanks