Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

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 Time15

Cook Time20

(plus time to come to pressure and natural release)10

Total Time45

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

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)
½ cup Chicken Broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ cup Black Olives (pitted and sliced)
2 Tablespoons Capers (drained) optional
Fresh Parsley (chopped) for garnish

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.

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