Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore – Easy Dinner

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore – Easy Dinner

Enjoy this easy Instant Pot chicken cacciatore, featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with onions and garlic for a flavorful Italian-classic meal.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons Simply Nature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• Salt, for seasoning
• 1-1.5 pounds Simply Nature Organic Chicken Breasts or chicken thighs
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• one 28 ounce can Simply Nature Organic Diced Tomatoes

Instructions

 

• Dredge the chicken in all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Turn on the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil, and sauté the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
• Add diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Pour in the white wine and let it bubble and reduce for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the browned chicken back to the Instant Pot along with the diced tomatoes. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
• Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine with the sauce.
• Serve the chicken cacciatore over cooked angel hair pasta, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

– Use a good quality white wine for the best flavor, or substitute with chicken broth if preferred.
– Ensure your Instant Pot is properly sealed before cooking on high pressure.
– For an extra flavorful sauce, let the vegetables sauté until well-softened.
– Serve over pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Allergens: Wheat.

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Keyword chicken cacciatore

The technique that makes it

What makes this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore work is the pressure cooking method. By sealing the ingredients and cooking under high pressure, the Instant Pot dramatically reduces cooking time while tenderizing the chicken and melding the flavors. The initial sautéing of the chicken and aromatics is crucial. Dredging the chicken in flour and searing it in olive oil creates a flavorful crust and helps to thicken the sauce as the flour releases its starch during the pressure cooking cycle. Sautéing the onion, garlic, and bell pepper before adding the liquids allows them to soften and release their natural sweetness and aroma, forming a robust flavor base. Deglazing the pot with white wine after sautéing is essential to lift any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pot, which are packed with flavor and contribute significantly to the final sauce. The diced tomatoes provide acidity and liquid, while the mushrooms add earthy depth. The pressure cooking process then forces these flavors into the chicken, resulting in a deeply savory and tender dish in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional stovetop or oven methods.

Troubleshooting

• Failure: Chicken is dry. Fix: Ensure chicken is not overcooked. For breasts, aim for the lower end of the cooking time. For thighs, they are more forgiving. Ensure the Instant Pot reached pressure properly.
• Failure: Sauce is too thin. Fix: After pressure cooking, use the ‘Sauté’ function to simmer the sauce uncovered for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the simmering sauce.
• Failure: Cacciatore is bland. Fix: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. A splash of balsamic vinegar at the end can also brighten the flavors.
• Failure: Burn notice on Instant Pot. Fix: This often happens if there isn’t enough liquid or if food is stuck to the bottom. Ensure you scraped up all the fond when deglazing with wine. If the burn notice appears, carefully release pressure, stir, add a bit more liquid if necessary, and restart the cook cycle.

Substitutions

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless thighs can be substituted for breasts for a richer, more forgiving flavor and texture. Bone-in pieces will require a longer cooking time.
• Mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella mushrooms can be used instead of white button mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor.
• White Wine: Chicken broth or vegetable broth can be substituted for white wine. Reduce the amount of broth slightly if using, as wine adds concentrated flavor and acidity.
• Bell Pepper: Yellow or orange bell peppers can be used interchangeably with red bell peppers, offering a slightly different sweetness profile.

Pro tips

• Use a good quality white wine for the best flavor, or substitute with chicken broth if preferred.
• Ensure your Instant Pot is properly sealed before cooking on high pressure.
• For an extra flavorful sauce, let the vegetables sauté until well-softened.
• Serve over pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Enjoy this simplified yet authentic take on Chicken Cacciatore, a perfect weeknight meal. Feel free to experiment with added herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.

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