Introducing the ultimate comfort meal to make your weeknights more enjoyable – our easy and nutritious Instant Pot chicken cacciatore recipe! Prepared in an instant pot with tender, juicy chicken and mushrooms, this one-pot meal comes together effortlessly and is perfect for potluck parties and get-togethers.
Discover the joy of delicious and simple weeknight dinners with this flavorful dish.
What’s more comforting than a heaping bowl of warm pasta topped with braised chicken smothered in a flavorful tomato sauce? Sounds yum, right ~ it’s downright delicious!
But hold on! This isn’t any bowl of chicken – it’s chicken Cacciatore!
It is one of my family’s favorite dinners, as this hearty and satisfying dish is a cinch to whip up, even on busy weeknights, and has a permanent place in our family meal rotation, especially in winter.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
The Italian term ‘Cacciatore’ translates into ‘hunter.’ ‘Alla cacciatora’ in Italian refers to dishes cooked ‘in hunter’s style’ as it was hunters who first ate this dish during the Renaissance period.
Earlier, this recipe was often cooked over an open fire with whatever the hunter caught, like rabbits or birds.
Reasons You’ll ♡ Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
This traditionally slow-cooked fare is translated into an intensely flavorful quick one with this recipe. Apart from that, it —
- Comes together quickly with simple ingredients
- Is a dump-and-cook meal
- Perfect for your potluck parties or get together
- Tastes amazing and never fails to delight you!
One Pot Chicken Cacciatore is such an easy dish to make and is packed with so much flavor. Though it is made in an instant pot, it tastes like it was simmered for many hours.
Plus, you only need your Instant Pot and 30 minutes to cook this out-of-this-world-delicious meal. And the best part is yet to come – cleanup is a breeze!
Now, that’s a win-win situation.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Ingredient List
Chicken Breasts — You can use any cut of chicken. I prefer chicken breasts as they don’t fall apart during cooking and don’t dry out. When using other cuts, the cooking time will vary; therefore, note the cooking time and cook accordingly. My next best cut after the chicken breast would be chicken thighs. If you are using frozen chicken, add five minutes more for the cooking time.
Flour — Using flour for coating the chicken serves many purposes. First, it can help the chicken brown quickly, making it less prone to sticking. On top, they can add a starchy quality to the dish.
Italian Seasoning — The Italian seasoning I used contains the following: the combo of these herbs adds a ton of flavor to this dish. It contains oregano, marjoram, thyme, basil, rosemary, paprika, red chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.
Olive Oil — Adding olive oil to this quick and easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe makes the fare silkier and more luscious.
Onion and garlic — A must-have ingredient for this Easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe. They act as the base of the curry and add flavor to the oil. This way, the taste is better absorbed by the cooked chicken. Likewise, they also help to perk up the texture of the dish.
Mushrooms — I have used sliced mushrooms for this recipe. Mushrooms lend an earthy, rich, and savory flavor while providing an intense depth to this dish.
Marinara Sauce — Use high-quality tomatoes as they form the sauce base. The store-bought sauce can also be used. If the tomatoes are acidic, you might need to add sugar to balance them.
Crushed Red Pepper — Added to the dish for the much-needed heat and bite. Furthermore, the spice gives it a nice color.
Bay Leaf — Added to enjoy another layer of flavor from the dish. Though it only adds a mild distinctive flavor, it can enhance the flavor of the other spices superbly well.
White cooking wine — Do not skip using wine, as it elevates the dish’s flavor to another level. During cooking, the alcohol will burn away, and the taste of the sauce intensifies. This, in turn, complements and brings out the dish’s flavor.
Chicken Broth — As chicken broth has a concentrated flavor; it instantly lends richness and smoothness to the Chicken Cacciatore dish. The soup’s foundation, made of aromatics and seasonings, comes out perfectly when the liquid chicken stock is added.
Pasta — You can use any pasta to serve the Instant Pot chicken cacciatore recipe. You can use Penne Pasta or any pasta of your liking. I prefer Spaghetti, Penne, or Farfalle as their ridges hold the sauces better, making them more flavorsome. You can also opt for Rotini pasta.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe Tips and Variations
Can use any chicken cut — You can prefer any chicken cut to prepare this super delicious recipe; the choice is yours. However, chicken breasts stay juicy and hold on together without falling apart during the cooking and simmering, and I recommend using them.
Varied cooking time for a different chicken cut — Chicken breasts cook faster than the other chicken cut. For example, bone-in chicken takes a little longer to cook, with 15 minutes in an instant pot. Likewise, different cuts will have slight variations in the cooking time.
If using chicken thighs — Both skin-on-bone and skinless chicken thighs are great for this recipe. It is entirely your preference to use either.
Flavorsome addition — Marinara sauce adds tons of flavor and saucy creaminess to this traditional Chicken Cacciatore dinner. You can use the store-bought marinara sauce for this recipe or churn a freshly prepared homemade marinara sauce to kick it up a notch.
Veggie variations — Any veggies of your choice can go into preparing this nutritious Chicken Cacciatore. However, bell peppers and broccoli will work great. So, if you are not a mushroom lover, consider substituting mushrooms with other veggies.
The magic of adding wine — Wine enhances the delectability of this recipe manifold by adding a depth of flavor to it. The alcohol burns away while cooking, but the taste of the sauce intensifies with its addition, elevating the overall deliciousness of the dish. Therefore, always take advantage of wine when preparing this recipe.
Browning chicken is essential — Browning helps seal the chicken’s juices, which aids in adding extra flavor to the dish. Therefore, this part of the cooking process should not be skipped.
Pasta options — Although any pasta or cooked Spaghetti will work well when preparing this chicken delicacy, angel hair pasta or capellini is an excellent option to consider.
Adding the umami wonders — Consider adding soya sauce and fish sauce if you have an affinity for umami flavors. These sauces will bring a flavorsome twist to the dish.
A quick deglazing — Deglazing the dish after cooking is recommended as it aids the browned bits sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot to come off quickly.
Olives for more appeal — Olives added to the Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe at the end will bring more magical flavor and appeal.
Remedy for a runny sauce — A watery sauce can be set right by adding two tablespoons of tomato sauce to it while simmering. The other way to bring the runny sauce to a thicker consistency is to boil it for a while. Take the chicken from the pot and bring the sauce to a boil while sautéing it for a few minutes. It will take a few minutes to come to the desired consistency. Add the chicken back to the pot and mix well.
Bringing glamour to the dish — Garnish your freshly prepared Chicken Cacciatore with capers or with parsley and lemons, and add a hint of glamour to this delicacy.
For wine connoisseurs — If you are serving this delicious dish with wine, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris is an excellent choice to consider.
Deglazing is a must — When cooking in the Instant Pot, always remember to deglaze the insert, as any burnt food bits stuck to its base will cause the BURN message. Continuous deglazing and scraping of the food from the bottom of the Instant Pot Insert will prevent the burn message from flashing.
Gluten-free recipe — The only gluten content in this recipe comes from the pasta. So, if you plan to make this dish gluten-free, swap the pasta with white rice, and you are sorted.
Varying spiciness — This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore is perfectly spiced for those who prefer spiciness in moderation. But if you love spicier food, add more chili flakes or try cayenne peppers instead of the chili flakes and dig into the hot spicy delicacy.
Interesting substitutions — This dish can be customized according to your choice. Here is how you can bring in a few customizations:
- This recipe uses mushrooms. But if you want to try some other veggies of your choice, feel free to go ahead. Instead of mushrooms, try some bell peppers, potatoes, artichokes, and broccoli. All of these make excellent alternatives.
- Shallots can replace onions in this recipe, which will taste great.
- White wine can be substituted with red wine, bringing a beautiful flavor.
- If you don’t prefer broth for any reason, consider adding water.
- Avocado oil makes a great alternative to olive oil in this recipe. You can use either.
Let me know what you think!
So, if this hot bowl entice you, read on to know what it takes to prepare this delicious Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot that will leave your tastebuds wanting more.
It is so easy and flavorsome that you will be tempted to schedule this every day and love to devour it with garlic knots or dinner rolls for a more filling meal!
Should you make this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below.
And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
MORE COMFORTING ONE-POT RECIPES THAT YOU’LL LOVE!
Follow the step-by-step instructions to make the best Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe for Beginner Cooks
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
INGREDIENTS
COATING FOR CHICKEN
- 2½ lbs Chicken Breasts (about 8 pieces)
- ½ cup All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- ½ tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- – – Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 1¼ cups Onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 8 ounces Sliced Mushrooms
- 1½ cups Homemade Marinara Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
- ¾ cup White cooking wine
- 1¼ cups Chicken Broth (Water)
- 1 – Bay Leaf
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Clean and rinse chicken in a bowl. Do not wash under the tap water.
- Combine all the ingredients listed under -‘Coating for chicken’ in a bowl. Mix it well.
- Coat the chicken well in the seasoned flour.
- Dust off the extra flour.
- Start Instant Pot in Saute Mode. Add oil. when oil is hot add the chicken.
- Cook chicken until its golden. Remove from oil and set aside.
- Assemble: ingredients to prepare the sauce.
- Add oil to the Instant Pot. Add diced onions, garlic and bay leaf to the Instant Pot. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the pan. Stir and cook for a minute.
- Stir in Italian seasoning.
- Red chili flakes.
- Marinara sauce.
- White Cooking Wine.
- Water or Chicken Stock.
- Add browned chicken to the sauce. Mix to combine. Cancel the saute mode. Select the ‘PRESSURE COOK OR MANUAL’ mode. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot beeps, do a Quick pressure release (QPR) and when the pin drops, carefully open the Instant Pot. Start the Instant Pot on Saute mode and let the sauce simmer until thickened (3-4 minutes on HIGH).
- Serve over hot pasta garnished with fresh basil.
VIDEO
RECIPE NOTES
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store the leftovers of this dish? Yes, you can store the completely cooled leftovers of this dish in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. They are fit for consumption for the next three to four days. The dish tastes more flavorful the following days as the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens. You can reheat the leftovers in the pan or make a chicken casserole for an altered dish! Can I freeze this recipe for Chicken Cacciatore? Yes, this dish freezes beautifully, storing well for 2 months in an air-tight container. However, please ensure the dish is completely cooled before being transferred to the container for freezing. When needed, thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator a day before. Next day, transfer to a microwaveable dish and reheat it for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can also reheat it in a pan over a cooktop. Bring the dish to room temperature and transfer it to the pan. Simmer it on the stove until thoroughly warm and serve. This scalable recipe can be conveniently doubled or tripled according to one’s preferences. For this, refer to the recipe card. Can I cook this recipe over a Stovetop? You sure can!- Sear chicken in a heavy bottom until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same sauce, prepare the sauce.
- Add the browned chicken along with water/stock and cover it with a lid. Allow it to simmer gently on a low flame for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked.
- Remove the lid and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over noodles and enjoy!
- Freshly baked bread or rustic crusty bread
- Steamed rice
- Mashed potatoes, quinoa, or polenta.
- Or even with whole wheat spaghetti or zucchini noodles to make it healthier.
I had been looking for good chicken cacciatore recipe. Thanks, and I like it the way you have given the stovetop method as well. I don’t have instant pot but have a slow cooker which is also pressure cooker can I use the slow cooker part of this to make this recipe ?
You can cook Chicken Cacciatore in a slow cooker.
For that, assemble everything in a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
I hope you like the recipe.
thanks