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This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe has tender, fall-apart chicken and a slow cooked taste without using your oven or stove! Easy, simple, rustic Italian comfort food at its best.

close-up of Instant Pot chicken cacciatore in a bowl with a spoon

I’ve made this electric pressure cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe twice already… the first batch of photos weren’t my favorite, so I decided to redo them. The decision wasn’t too tough since I really didn’t mind eating it a second time. The depth of flavor in the Chicken Cacciatore’s sauce is just fantastic.

Searing the chicken right in the Instant Pot helps seal that flavor in. Like I’ve mentioned before, that’s one of my favorite features of the IP. 🙂

We’ve got a delicious combination of herbs in this classic dish along with garlic, carrots, a rich tomato sauce, and Kalamata olives. Can’t go wrong.

Prefer to make this on the stove? I’ve got you covered with my Easy Chicken Cacciatore.

What cut of chicken do you use in Chicken Cacciatore?

I wanted this boneless Chicken Cacciatore recipe to be a no-fuss, family-friendly recipe, so I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You could use bone-in chicken thighs or chicken breasts if you wish. Chicken breasts are typically drier than chicken thighs when you cook them in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, so I generally prefer using chicken thighs for recipes like this.

ingredients for chicken cacciatore inside an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker

How to make Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot (summary):

Sauté the onions in your Instant Pot and then add the chicken. Add the remaining ingredients (except for olives, fresh basil + parsley, and salt & pepper) and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. I then let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes prior to doing a manual pressure release. The chicken is tender, juicy, and falls apart.

plate of Instant Pot chicken cacciatore with a sprig of herbs and a cloth napkin

What to serve with Chicken Cacciatore

Italian Chicken Cacciatore is great with mashed potatoes or rice. You could also serve it over polenta, pasta, or egg noodles.

Looking for more easy Instant Pot chicken recipes? Try my Instant Pot Coq au Vin, this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe or my Instant Pot honey garlic chicken recipe.

close- up of Instant Pot authentic chicken cacciatore in a bowl

Will you give this easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe a try? Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or comments.

Yes, you can make authentic Italian Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot! This electric pressure cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe is healthy, easy, and has that delicious traditional taste. You can make it with boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts if you wish. You will love this classic rustic chicken recipe!
4.94 from 15 votes

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe has tender, fall-apart chicken and a slow cooked taste without using your oven or stove! Easy, simple, rustic Italian comfort food at its best. 
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 17 minutes
Inactive time: 25 minutes
Total: 52 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire roasted crushed tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 large carrot sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • Leaves from 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions 

  • Add the olive oil and onion to your Instant Pot. Sauté for 3 minutes.
  • Add the chicken to the Instant Pot and cook for 2 minutes/side.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper, carrot, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Close the lid and set the valve on "sealing". Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes (it'll take 10-15 minutes for it to get up to pressure). 
  • Once the countdown has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. You can then manually release the rest of the pressure. 
  • Season with salt & pepper and stir in the olives, basil, and parsley. 

Notes

  • Serves 4-6.
  • Inactive time indicates the time is takes the Instant Pot to get up to pressure then release pressure.
  • I use this 6-quart Instant Pot.
  • Check out the stovetop version of this recipe.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 514kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 166mg, Sodium: 601mg, Potassium: 1180mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 4356IU, Vitamin C: 64mg, Calcium: 117mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

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49 Comments

  1. Sharon Kime says:

    Hi,
    In the second step when you say “cook” the chicken, what setting is the InstaPot on? Is it still on Sauté, or pressure cook? I’m actually cooking it right now!
    Thanks,
    Sharon

    1. Natasha says:

      Hi Sharon! It would still be on sauté. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  2. Beth says:

    5 stars
    This is the second time I’ve made this and it is SO delicious and easy. My family loves it! I even make vegetarian version with plant based chicken in a separate instant pot for my daughter and it works out great. Thanks for posting!

    1. Natasha says:

      Thank you so much, Beth!! I’m thrilled to hear that!! 😀