instant pot chicken cacciatore

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instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot!  this Recipe for Later! this post may contain affiliate links for products i use on…

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instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! 

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it goes without saying, italian food is kinda my thing.

i honestly have no idea how many times i’ve said this, but pasta is my faaaaaavorite food, & the honesty & simplicity of italian cooking is an approach that i fall more & more in love with as the years go by.

i mean…highlighting high-quality, fresh ingredients with really simple, approachable recipes? yes please. sign me up for that all day long.

if you’ve been around here for a while, you probably know that i took a few years off after college to work at a fine dining italian restaurant in the heart of downtown milwaukee. it was one of the best experiences of my life, & caused me to really, really fall in love with italian food & wine.

but first falling for italian food? it happened many years before then, when i first had chicken cacciatore in the north end of boston. instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

chicken cacciatore is a braised chicken dish that’s quintessentially italian. simple ingredients (chicken thighs! peppers! garlic! tomatoes!) get treated with a little love & patience, & they transform into something totally rich, comforting, & incredible.

& to this day, chicken cacciatore is one of my favorite meals of all time.

the bummer part of making chicken cacciatore, though? it takes a little bit of time. i mean, we’re talking about coaxing major flavor out of pretty humble ingredients. that kinda thing takes some time. nothing crazy or hard, but not always weeknight-friendly.

until now, of course. ?this instant pot chicken cacciatore from my friend erica’s new cookbook is totally changing the weeknight chicken cacciatore game!

the electric pressure cooker cookbook for two by erica acevedo: instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

i recently was able to meet my majorly talented friend, erica, who runs the food blog the crumby kitchen, IRL at a food blogging conference out in salt lake city. & i’m so excited to share with you today her brand new cookbook, the electric pressure cooker cookbook for two!

i first got my instant pot a few years back, but if i’m being honest with you, it sat on a shelf in my kitchen for the longest time because i had no idea how to use it. ??? true story!

this year, i really have been trying to learn how to use it, & the more i do, the more it honestly becomes one of my favorite appliances in my kitchen.

it’s not that it’s a huge time-saver, as most instant pot dishes take about as long to make as making it on your stovetop when you factor in letting the pressure build up, but i love that it’s a set-it-&-forget-it type of appliance. dinner may still take 40 minutes to cook, but the instant pot does all of the work for you & you can unload the dishwasher, or fold laundry, or just sit down with a glass of wine (??) while it does its thing.

if you don’t have an instant pot yet, i definitely recommend it. i have this 6-quart version, but they also recently came out with a 3-quart version that’s the perfect size for anyone who regularly cooks for two (plus, it’s cheaper!).

& if you do have an instant pot already, chances are you miiiight not know quite what to do with it yet. (??i mean, i’ve totally been there!) that’s when erica is really swooping in to save the day with her cookbook the electric pressure cooker cookbook for two.

the electric pressure cooker cookbook for two is filled with 125 amazing recipes that you can make in your instant pot. the recipes erica has included in her book are incredible – we’re talking tonkotsu ramen, stuffed squash, & even mini white chocolate cherry bundt cakes – & they all come with foolproof instant pot instructions!

& i’m so excited about this book that i’m giving a copy away on instagram right now – so be sure to enter for your chance to win!

how to make chicken cacciatore in an instant pot:instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

thanks to erica, making chicken cacciatore in your instant pot seriously couldn’t be easier. instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

  • brown the chicken: just like any braised chicken dish, most of the flavor in this instant pot chicken cacciatore comes from the couple of minutes you take to braise the chicken thighs. because the instant pot has a saute function, you can sear the chicken off right in the instant pot itself! no other dishes or stovetop cooking required. this is, hands down, my favorite feature of the instant pot!
  • add some aromatics: once the chicken is nicely browned, you add in the rest of the flavor: shallots, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, & wine. ??? SERIOUSLY people, what’s not to love about that?!

  • pressure cook! let the instant pot do its thang! you’ll set the instant pot to cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes. it’ll take about 5 minutes or so for the pressure to build up in the pot, at which point the 12-minute timer will start counting down. once the timer goes off, you’ll do what’s called a natural release. you’ll let the instant pot sit for another 10 minutes (another timer will start automatically, don’t worry!), before flicking the pressure valve on the top of the pot & removing the lid. this helps this instant pot chicken cacciatore get to the perfectly fall-apart tender texture.

the last step? obviously piling chicken cacciatore on a mountain of swirly noodly goodness (along with some olives & crushed red pepper flakes!) & dying a happy death…especially since you don’t even have to wash any dishes since the instant pot is dishwasher safe. ?? instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

& that, my friends, is what i’m pretty sure heaven feels like. ?

if you like this instant pot chicken cacciatore recipe, here are a few other easy italian recipes you’ll love:
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instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot! #playswellwithbutter #chickencacciatore #easychickencacciatorerecipe #instantpotrecipe #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #authenticitalianrecipes #italianrecipeswithchicken

instant pot chicken cacciatore

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  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes (includes inactive time)
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: serves 2 generously 1x
  • Category: pasta, Italian food, comfort food, Instant Pot

Description

instant pot chicken cacciatore will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, & wine, this chicken cacciatore recipe offers all of the rich, traditional flavor of authentic italian “hunter-style” braised chicken, but is made so, so easy by using the instant pot!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 large shallots, diced (about ½ cup)
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced (about ½ cup)
  • ½ cup portobello mushrooms, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon herbes de Provence
  • ½ cup white wine (or stock)
  • 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes (with their juices)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 6-ounce can Kalamata olives, halved
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt & ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces pasta of choice, cooked to al dente according to package directions (see Recipe Notes)
  • for serving, as desired: chopped fresh basil, chopped flat-leaf parsley, grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Brown the chicken: Preheat your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker on its saute mode. While the Instant Pot preheats, wash the chicken thighs, patting them very dry with paper towels. Once the Instant Pot is hot, add the oil, generously season the chicken thighs with Kosher salt and ground black pepper, and add the chicken thighs to the Instant Pot, arranging them in a single layer. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes on each side, or until browned, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Cook the aromatics: Add the shallots, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the Instant Pot and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and herbes de Provence and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  3. Deglaze the Instant Pot: Pour the wine or stock into the pot, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Continue to simmer until the wine is reduced by half. Set the chicken thighs on top of the contents of the pot, then pour in the tomatoes (with their juices) and the tomato paste.
  4. Pressure cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Make the sure valve on the top of the Instant Pot is set to its sealed position! Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release, about 10 minutes. Carefully open the vent on the top of the pot, then remove the lid.
  5. Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, as the chicken cacciatore pressure cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  6. To serve, stir in the Kalamata olives and crushed red pepper flakes, as desired. Serve the chicken cacciatore over pasta. I found it easiest to remove the chicken from the pot, and add my pasta in the pot to toss it in the cacciatore sauce. Finish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of parm, as desired.Enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe is reprinted with permission from The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook for Two: 125 Easy, Perfectly-Portioned Recipes for the Electric Pressure Cooker & Multicooker by Erica Acevedo.
  • Instant Pot: I own & love this 6-quart Instant Pot, but they also recently came out with a 3-quart version that’s the perfect size for anyone who regularly cooks for two (plus, it’s cheaper!).
  • Need to serve 4? No problem! Just double the recipe.
  • Meal prep! I especially love this Instant Pot chicken cacciatore recipe because it’s so low maintenance – the Instant Pot does all the work for you! If you want to do a little meal prep in advance, I always suggest chopping up the veggies you need whenever you have some extra time in the kitchen. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. At dinnertime, you can get right to cooking – so easy!
  • Make it Paleo! For a Paleo version, you can omit the wine and serve over your favorite Paleo-approved carb (see below).
  • Serving: I love serving Instant Pot chicken cacciatore over a long pasta, like the XX shown here. Erica also offers some great suggestions in her book. You can also serve the Instant Pot chicken cacciatore over some polenta (this is super traditional, especially in Northern regions of Italy!) or cooked spaghetti squash.
don’t forget to pin this instant pot chicken cacciatore recipe for later!

Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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Comments

  1. 4.14.20
    Paul Nakayama said:

    Hey jess
    I would like to try this recipe. I love chicken cacciatore.
    I don’t have kalamata olive. Would pitted green olive with pimientos do fine?
    Aloha Paul

    • 4.16.20
      jess said:

      Hey Paul! No worries – the flavor of green olives is a little different, of course, but I think that they will work just fine in this dish!

  2. 11.12.19
    Kiley said:

    I don’t have an instant pot, so I modified this to go in the slow cooker. It was fantastic and flavorful!






    • 1.17.20
      jess said:

      So glad you loved it, Kiley! xx

  3. 6.18.18
    Sheila said:

    Dropping by to say thank you. I was so surprised at how good this chicken cacciatore is. Would love to make one again soon. I just can’t get enough of it.

    • 6.25.18
      jess said:

      oh sheila! i’m so, so glad you tried & loved it!!! xo

  4. 6.13.18

    The dish looks succulent. I can not wait to do it again at home.