Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

AMAZING Instant Pot chicken cacciatore, adapted from my Italian mother-in-law’s recipe! The Instant Pot considerably cuts down on the time without sacrificing any of the flavor! 

AMAZING Instant Pot chicken cacciatore, adapted from my Italian mother-in-law's recipe! The Instant Pot considerably cuts down on the time without sacrificing any of the flavor!

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I am finishing Share the Love month with a recipe for AMAZING chicken cacciatore in the Instant Pot AND another great giveaway too.

Chicken cacciatore is my favorite dish that my mother-in-law makes, and that’s saying a lot because she’s a great cook and makes a lot of really tasty dishes. But, given the chance, it’s her chicken cacciatore that I specially request.

My mother-in-law is Italian, her mother arriving at Ellis Island in 1905, having immigrated here from northern Italy.

I married into a family of garlic lovers where the answer to the question of whether there is enough garlic is always unanimously “no”.  I learned about the glories of fresh pasta from my mother-in-law, and perhaps most importantly, learned the invaluable skill of cooking from the hip.

This chicken cacciatore is how her mother, Nonnie, made it– laden with herbs and don’t forget the wine. Together they give a powerhouse of flavor. 

Nonnie's photos-2

Nonnie, my husband’s Italian grandmother

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciotore

My mother-in-law’s method is low and slow, but the Instant Pot makes it possible to enjoy chicken cacciatore in less than an hour on any weeknight. 

As with all my favorite recipes, it also only calls for ingredients I always have on hand. Pssst: use fresh rosemary if at all possible!

Keep going for a short recipe video, the printable recipe, AND A CHANCE TO WIN AN INSTANT POT!!!

YEP. You guessed it. My big finale giveaway is an Instant Pot. What better way to share the love than with a family favorite recipe and an appliance that never has a chance to gather dust?!

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Necessary Equipment ::

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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 25 reviews
  • Author: Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes under pressure
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 8 chicken thighs 1x
  • Category: main dish
  • Method: pressure cooker

Description

 

AMAZING Instant Pot chicken cacciatore, adapted from my Italian mother-in-law’s recipe! The Instant Pot considerably cuts down on the time without sacrificing any of the flavor! 


Ingredients

Scale

Herb Rub: 

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 3/4 tsp ea: granulated garlic, dried marjoram, dried oregano, thyme, fresh rosemary (chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp ghee or oil
  • 8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on)
  • 1 large onion, sliced thin into 1″ strips
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 C white wine
  • 1 C chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium)
  • 1 Tbsp flour


Instructions

  1. Turn the Instant Pot on to saute and add 1 Tbsp ghee or oil. Heat until the screen reads “HOT”. Combine the ingredients for the herb rub in a small dish. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle half of the herb rub on the skin side of the thighs, about 1/2 tsp per thigh.
  2. When the IP is hot, place four of the chicken thighs into the pot, skin side down. Sprinkle the tops of the thighs with half of the remaining herb rub. Brown the thighs for 3 minutes, then flip them and brown on the second side for another 3 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat this process for the 4 remaining chicken thighs.
  3. With all the chicken thighs set to the side on a plate, the bottom of the Instant Pot should be full of browned bits. This is FLAVOR! Add the onions to the pot and sauté them for about 5 minutes, only stirring a couple of times. After they have softened and begun to brown, add the minced garlic, and then the wine. Use a wooden spatula or spoon to deglaze the bottom of the pot and loosen up any browned bits that are still stuck. You want nothing to be stuck to the bottom before moving on.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Nestle the chicken thighs on top of the onions and liquid skin side up, stacking them so they overlap and do not rest directly on top of each other. Put the lid on the Instant Pot, turn the valve to sealing, and set the time to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
  5. After the chicken has cooked for 8 minutes on high pressure, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure. Use a pair of tongs to remove the chicken from the pot. Set on a plate and tent with foil.
  6. Turn the Instant Pot back on to saute and ladle out about a cup of the cooking liquid. Whisk a tablespoon of flour into the hot liquid, then return the mixture into the pot. Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer, and heat for about 3-5 minutes until it thickens into a sauce.
  7. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken, then serve extra sauce with the chicken. Enjoy!

 

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AMAZING Instant Pot chicken cacciatore, adapted from my Italian mother-in-law's recipe! The Instant Pot considerably cuts down on the time without sacrificing any of the flavor!

Share the Love Month! Win a 6qt Instant Pot DUO!

For the final giveaway of Share the Love month, you have the chance to win a 6qt Instant Pot DUO!  

Enter the giveaway using the entry form below. The giveaway will be open from February 22 through March 1, for residents of the continental US. A winner will be announced on  Friday, March 2nd!

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120 Comments

  1. This was delicious! No way would I have attempted the old way, too much time for me! So thankful for an easy way to make this traditional dish!

  2. I saw this question it no answer and I’d like to know also – if I make the chicken cacciatore with skinless boneless chicken cutlets, how is the time affected?

  3. I’m not sure why others are commenting on this post with what their favorite IP recipe is. Comment on this receipe and not another one!
    My husband loved this and requested it again…..I didn’t have rosemary so next time it might taste a bit different but that’s ok.

  4. We don’t have a favorite Instant Pot meal, because we’ve never used an Instant Pot before! This recipe looks amazing, however!

  5. I do not own an instant pot but if I did I would first may a pot roast and potatoes. Many friends have an instant pot and they really like them!

    1. I don’t know what that first part even means on my post? If I can’t figure out how to post a comment, I’m not sure I can work an instant pot;) but I’m willing to try!!

  6. This looks really good! My great grandparents also immigrated from Italy and we have some yummy family recipes too. I have been curious about the instant pot, I keep hearing great things.

  7. Swedish meatballs are always a hit in the house! I imagine it would be wonderful in the Instant Pot!

  8. I love watching your videos and enjoy the recipes that you post. You make it so easy to cook and bake. Keep up the great work.

  9. Love your emphasis on Whole Foods, convenience (via Instant Pot) and family friendly but healthy food. Thanks!

  10. I’ve never used one so I wouldn’t know. But this recipe sounds like something my family would like.

  11. We’ve been loving BBQ beef from cooking chuck roasts in our instant pot. We make hard-boiled eggs and I adapted our southwestern beef stew recipe to cook much faster in the Instant Pot. I started making yogurt in it and now I am hooked – so easy!!

  12. We use ours for broth, beans, and frozen roast when i forget dinner planning! And yogurt making!

  13. A recent favorite of my boys is a ‘goulash’ type meal, pasta, ground beef, etc. I’ve saved many of your recipes and am looking forward to trying them. Thanks for all of your inspiration!

  14. I eat a plant-based diet, but I will be passing this recipe on to my daughter who loves anything chicken!! Thanks so much for all you do. I get exhausted watching you! From one home schooling mother to another, keep up the great work you do for us all!

  15. I still haven’t worked up the nerve to buy one and attempt the learning curve, but after trying (and succeeding!) several other new things after reading your posts, I think I’m getting closer 😀

  16. I love following you on Facebook and now Instagram! I have been hearing a lot about the instant pot and I know you use it for a lot of things! I am looking forward to trying this recipe! ❤️

  17. I am so inspired by this recipe, your family’s story, and your generosity! My family is blessed to have had the opportunity to try a “instant pot” ( we have an off brand) BUT ours is inconsistent with pressurizing and staying pressurized….SO some time soon we will be forced to replace it and id love to just get it replaced before major disappointment occurs? our current fav. In the pot are whole chickens with veggies!? Its just soooo quick and i love the veggies on the bottom in all the juices!!

    I’m crossing fingers, saying a prayer, and hoping i am the lucky winner ?

    Either way-your recipes and cheerfulness will keep me coming back to your blog/site.
    Thank you new friend!

  18. I have two little girls and one boy on the way! Your blog is so relatable and I am always intrigued by whet you are doing next! You are like super mom! Awesome food suggestions with easy to follow recipes and videos. Outlet favorite meals in the instapot is lettuce chicken wraps! Yumm!

  19. This recipe looks awesome and I was so surprised and thrilled at the carb count!!! Can’t wait to try it!

  20. Our favorite instant pot meals are pork carnitas, beef stews, and soups. This recipe sounds delicious. I’m putting it on the menu next week. Thank you for sharing the love!

  21. I love the instant pot and wish I had a second. I use mine everyday, often a couple times a day. I love your recipes because I love to use whole foods. Whenever cooking feels overwhelming to me, I watch a video of you cooking with four young children with an infant tied around you, cooking with ease as if it is fun, and it motivates me that surely I can cook also. And it is fun. Especially with an instant pot. I can’t wait to try your mother in law’s adapted recipe! It looks delish!

  22. WE love French Onion Soup, Chicken noodle soup, broths, and Hibachi Fried Rice in the Instant Pot.

  23. Thank you for the opportunity to enter to possibly win the IP. Putting off buying one for ages but it would be great to win one!

  24. I made this tonight for dinner in my Instant Pot Ultra 6 qt. and it was amazing. I followed the recipe, the only change I made was to use left over champagne instead of white wine. I didn’t need to change anything, at all, it turned out exactly as promised. The kitchen smelled so good while it was cooking, and we both loved it. Husband isn’t crazy about thighs, but said that these were very very good. I will make this again.

  25. Love your recipes and my instant pot! I don’t really have room for two so if I win I am going to share the love and gift it to my mother-in-law!!

    1. Oops! Didn’t see that I was supposed to leave our favorite meal! We loooove making kalua pork and use it for bbq, tacos, on top of sweet potatoes, basically for everything!!!

  26. I made this tonight and THANK YOU!!! Thank you, your mother in law and Nonnie!!! This was SO GOOD, easy and THE FIRST meal I have made in the IP (and I’ve done many!!) that the entire family loved!! It was awesome and i was really happy to find a version with no tomatoes. I really appreciate you sharing this and your site! THANK YOU!!!! 🙂

  27. I don’t have an Instant Pot yet, but I’ve already decided the first thing I’ll make when I get one is meatloaf.

  28. My dads family is 100% Italian so I identify with that very much. My grandma was big on homemade sauce, sausage and meat pies. Never chicken cacciatore though – I will definitely try this recipe though.

    I’m glad you mentioned the rating feature on your recent video because I hadn’t noticed that before. I surely go rate all the great things I’ve tried.

  29. Hi there girl I just love watching your blog but I am not to smart on how to enter your giveaways I have tried but not sure if I am even doing it right could you please tell me the computer illiterate how to do it right thank you and God bless

  30. We love chicken breast made in the instant pot with Caribbean jerk marinade and a little bit of water w/ it. They come out flavorful and moist!

  31. I’m on the fence about an Instapot. I’ve made it this long baking every week without a KitchenAid mixer, so I’m always skeptical of new fangled cooking contraption fads. Hahaha! The truth is, I think both the KitchenAid and the Instapot would make my life easier, I just can’t justify spending the money.

    1. Elise, I understand not wanting to jump at every kitchen gadgets or appliance that is popular. But, I really do think the Instant Pot is worth the investment. Now, you could totally go the rest of your life without one and be fine, but we use ours almost daily and sometimes multiple times a day. (Which, incidentally is way more than I use my Kitchen Aid). Its your call, but I do think the popularity over the last few years does say something for how useful it is. ?

  32. Excited yo try this version of Chicken Cacciatore. I have only ever had tomato based versions. This looks winderful!

  33. We dont have an instant pot so I cant tell you our favorite instmat pot recipe. But, if you pick me to win, I will let you know ?

  34. Cannot wait to try this recipe! Thanks for a chance to win an Instant Pot….I love mine and. 2nd one would be even better!

  35. Love all your recipes but especially the Instant Pot! Butternut Squash and Apple soup is frequent option. Just had it last night!

  36. This sounds amazing. I used to make it for our family when it was my turn to cook growing up. This recipe brings back great memories.

  37. I am definitely going to try this recipe, thank you so very much for sharing your family recipe with us! I have never had chicken cacciatore before, what do you serve it with? What kind of White wine do you use? My best friend lives in Lexington Massachusetts and I have been raving about my Instant Pot to her it has certainly peaked her interest. I would love to win this for her!?

    1. I almost forgot… My favorite recipe for the instant pot is beef stew. I love to make beef stew during winter months. The beef stew I made in the instant pot rocked my world! It is with your guidance and the confidence you give us That allowed me to try new things in the instant pot. Creating my recipes as I go. Thanks Lisa!

  38. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Looks amazing! I love watching your videos and can’t wait to try this recipe!!

  39. Sounds delicious..I am vegan and my favorite recipe is mushroom stroganoff, but….the rest of my family are real chicken eaters and I will definitely try this recipe.

  40. I so love that you will share family recipes…it makes it mean so much more when I try them..And thanks for the love!!

  41. That looks delicious 🙂 If I happen to win I am going to gift it to my friend at church with 8 kids since I already have one 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity.

  42. I have never had Chicken Cacciatore. Will have to give this a try. Love how you have incorporated a recipe from your mother-in-law to the modern ways of cooking.

  43. This might be a sacrilege to even think about using chicken breasts in this recipe, but we don’t care for chicken thighs. Will that ruin the recipe? Otherwise, it looks delish!

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