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Easy Tender Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

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A quick and flavorful chicken cacciatore made in the Instant Pot, perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with herbs, garlic, and a splash of red wine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 28 oz canned diced tomatoes (San Marzano-style recommended)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ cup dry red wine (optional, e.g., Chianti)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • ½ cup black olives (Kalamata), pitted and sliced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat the olive oil. Add diced onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and sliced bell peppers, cooking another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Push the veggies to the sides, add chicken thighs skin-side down, and brown for about 3-4 minutes per side using tongs.
  5. Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let the wine reduce slightly for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Stir in canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, capers, and olives. Mix well.
  7. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ on high for 15 minutes. Ensure the valve is sealed.
  8. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
  9. Open the lid, check seasoning, and if desired, switch back to ‘Sauté’ and simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.
  10. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Brown the chicken before pressure cooking to add flavor and texture. Use natural pressure release for 10 minutes to keep chicken tender. Deglaze the pot well after sautéing to prevent burn warnings. Adjust cooking time if chicken pieces are large. Optional red wine adds depth to the sauce. For dairy-free, skip Parmesan cheese. For gluten-free, no flour or thickeners are used.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken cacciatore, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Italian, pressure cooker, chicken thighs, tomato sauce

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/easy-tender-instant-pot-chicken-cacciatore-recipe-perfect-for-busy-weeknights/