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This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore delivers the same savory, rich flavor of the classic without the all day simmer. With tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and sweet peppers braised in a tangy tomato sauce, this easy Instant Pot recipe is perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying.
Kristen's Keys for Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
A few small details make a big difference here. Paying attention to these tips will help the sauce stay rich, the chicken stay tender, and your Instant Pot stay happy.
- Opt for skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are a bit richer in flavor than chicken breasts, yet they still cook up fast, making them perfect for this Italian dish. But to keep the dish from being overly greasy, use skinless chicken thighs. I have provided cooking times for both bone-in and boneless.
- Don't skip the sauté. Browning the chicken and vegetables adds depth and keeps the final dish from tasting flat.
- Layer carefully. Tomatoes go on top and are not stirred into the other ingredients before pressure cooking. This helps to prevent a dreaded burn notice.
- Natural pressure release matters. Letting the pressure drop naturally for at least 10 minutes keeps the chicken tender.
5-Star Reader Review
I tried this today with 8 chicken thighs, some smaller and some larger, but they all cooked perfectly. Followed recipe exactly and it was EXCELLENT! Husband says "it's a keeper" so you know it was good...We will be making this again. Thanks Kristen for your wonderful website and videos!! You rock!! -Debbie L.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Whether you are just learning to use your Instant Pot or a seasoned pro, this section will walk you through the steps of how make chicken cacciatore in the Instant Pot with ease.
Step One: Sauté Chicken
Start by heating a bit of oil using the sauté function. While the oil is heating, season the chicken thighs, then sear them briefly on each side. Once lightly golden, remove them from the Instant Pot.
👉🏻Work in batches if needed. It is best to give the chicken a bit of room to brown, rather than steam.
Step Two: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the onions and peppers to the inner pot and let them cook until softened, letting their natural sweetness develop. Once nearly cooked through, add the mushrooms and garlic and briefly toast.
Step Three: Deglaze Inner Pot
With the sauté function still on, add in the wine (or broth). Use a spoon or spatula to scrape every browned bit from the bottom of the pot.
👉🏻Don't skip this step! Scraping up those browned bits prevents a burn notice and builds flavor at the same time.
Step Four: Layer
Stir in the chicken stock and seasonings into the vegetable mixture. Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the sauce. Pour the tomatoes over the chicken thighs, but DO NOT STIR! That can cause a burn notice.
Step Five: Pressure Cook
Lock the lid in place and set to cook on on high pressure for 7 minutes for boneless chicken thighs and 8 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs. Once the cooking time has elapsed, it is important to let the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes, to keep the chicken super tender and juicy.
Step Six: Thicken if Desired
Add in the balsamic vinegar to wake the sauce up and then if desiring a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce using the sauté function for a few minutes.
👉🏻This is optional. The sauce is already packed with flavor at this point, thickening is purely about texture and personal preference.
Step Seven: Serve
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is best served over something to soak up the sauce. Think pasta, rice, spaghetti squash, creamy grits, polenta, or even mashed potatoes. And of course, a little freshly grated parmesan cheese never hurt anything!
👉🏻Mom Tip: If your kids are opposed to vegetables, olives, and capers in their tomato sauce, as mine are, blend the sauce before serving with the chicken. Same flavor, kid-approved texture.
Recipe Modifications
- Omit the Wine: Use additional chicken stock in its place.
- Olives: Use Kalamata or black olives, or omit them if you don't care for olives.
- No Crushed Tomatoes? Use canned tomato puree or blended diced tomatoes for similar results.
- No Balsamic Vinegar? Feel free to use red wine vinegar if you don't have balsamic on hand.
More Instant Pot Italian-American Recipes
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons olive oil, + more if needed
- 6-8 skinless chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 medium green pepper, diced
- 1 medium red pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup dry white wine, or additional stock
- ½-¾ cup low-sodium chicken stock , see recipe for exact amounts
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons capers
- ½ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot to sauté, add 1 tablespoons olive oil, and let heat for a minute or two. While the oil is heating, pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and liberally season with salt and pepper on both sides. Add the chicken thighs to the oil, in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Cook the chicken until golden on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Once golden, remove the chicken and place it on a plate.
- If the inner pot is dry, add in an additional ½ tablespoon of olive oil and then add in the minced onion and diced peppers and sauté for 2-4 minutes, or until onions begin to soften. Once the onion has softened, add in the mushrooms and 1 tablespoon minced garlic and sauté for another 30-60 seconds.
- Add in ½ cup dry white wine (or additional stock) and deglaze Instant Pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Let the wine cook off for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot OFF by hitting cancel.
- To the inner pot, add chicken stock (½ cup for 3 or 6-quart OR ¾ cup for 8-quart). Season with 2 teaspoons dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons capers, ½ cup kalamata olives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and then nestle the seared chicken thighs into the sauce. Sprinkle chicken with a bit of salt and pepper. Pour 28 ounces crushed tomatoes tomatoes over the chicken thighs and DO NOT STIR!
- Close the lid on the pressure cooker, being sure the vent knob is placed towards the sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes for boneless chicken thighs and 8 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs.
- Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. After pressure has naturally released, open the Instant Pot and remove the cooked chicken to a new clean plate.
- Turn the saute function back on the Instant Pot (hit cancel and then saute). Stir in the 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and then simmer the sauce to thicken, for 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust the sauce with more salt and black pepper.
- Serve chicken with sauce over noodles or rice topped with fresh basil and parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe. My go to favorite.
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing Mark!
Easy recipe to make in instant pot. This is an excellent, flavorful dish to make with little effort and little clean up. Thank you for sharing. Valerie
I am so glad this meal checked so many boxes and was enjoyed Valerie!
Do you know the appropriate weight of the chicken thighs in this recipe? I bought chicken leg quarters to use and I’m concerned they may be too large. I will cut them apart.
Hi Susan! I would suggest cutting them apart myself and proceeding with the recipe as stated. I hope you enjoy.
I used about 2 1/2 pounds of chicken leg quarters cut apart, measured after removing skin. I’m guessing they would have weighed about 3 1/2 pounds with skin on. My chicken pieces were on the large side so I used 3 leg quarters. Turned out great!!
I am so glad you enjoyed Susan!
So good - I just like you said cooks up fast and packed with flavor!
I am so glad you enjoyed Melissa!
This is a great recipe. It's quick and easy and really good. I'll be making it again for sure.
I am so glad you found this to be so easy and enjoyable!
I am always on the hunt for easy delicious instant pot recipes and this was a winner!
So glad you enjoyed Andie 🙂
This dish is sooooo delicious!! We're obsessed! Thanks for sharing!
That is what I LOVE hearing!!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.