This ain’t your nonna’s Chicken Cacciatore. For one, no one is going to be slaving over this on the stove all dang day, which, if you had an Italian nonna (grandmother), she would most lovingly do. Unless you’re counting your slow cooker/instant pot doing all the work for you. But the best part? We’re not compromising on flavor at all – because let me tell you, this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore (don’t worry, there’s a slow cooker version too) is bursting at the seams with flavor.
If you’ve never had chicken cacciatore before, you’re missing out! It’s a traditional italian meal around the holidays and winter months, commonly called (and translated as) hunter’s chicken. My family is New York/New Jersey “Italian”, so I always grew up eating pasta, pasta, pasta. Then, when I got diagnosed with celiac, that all had to change – because at the time, GF pasta was absolutely GROSS. So at our holiday meals, I started experimenting with more flavorful, less gluten-filled recipes like this one!
When I was trying to do this, I found out – apparently, there are a lot of different versions of chicken cacciatore. Prosciutto or not? Capers or not? Mushrooms, carrots, celery, peppers, or not? The few things the recipes could agree on were – you use whatever parts of the chicken you have (but thighs and legs are the most flavor-packed), you cook and submerge the chicken in a delicious red sauce, simmered for hours on the stove – usually with some wine in there (!), and garnish with some fresh herbs. Usually served over pasta. So I went with that, came up with my own recipe, and just for you guys, made BOTH slow cooker and instant pot versions.
If you do decide to use wine I like to use a Chianti (light red) here – but some people choose to use a light, dry white. A table wine will do just fine. Red or white really just depends on your taste!
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs (4 pieces), skin removed
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large red pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth or wine (see note)
- 6 slices prosciutto (one for each piece of chicken)
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes, drained
- 3 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp italian herb mix (or 1 tsp each oregano, basil, and parsley)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- Optional: 1-2 scoops Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen
- 3 Tbsp capers, drained
- ¼ cup fresh herbs such as basil or parsley
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Combine all the ingredients except chicken, capers and basil in the slow cooker and stir, then nestle the chicken in with the sauce. Set crock pot to LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. When the timer beeps, remove lid and keep the crock pot on HIGH one hour to help it thicken.
- Stir in the capers just prior to serving, and garnish with fresh basil.
- Serve over gluten-free pasta or spaghetti squash for Whole30!
- Coat the bottom of your instant pot with 2 Tbsp oil and turn on the SAUTE function. Sear the chicken on both sides, for about 5 minutes a side, until the chicken isn’t yet cooked through but is nicely browned. Remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a plate.
- Add more oil, if necessary (about 1 Tbsp) and add in the onions, garlic, peppers, and a pinch of sea salt. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, until the onions begin to look translucent.
- Stir in the broth or wine, prosciutto, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, italian herb mix, bay leaf, remaining sea salt, and pepper, until well combined. For more depth of flavor, stri in 1-2 scoops Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen!
- Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Pop the lid on your instant pot and switch to MANUAL - set the timer for 12 minutes. Once the timer has gone off, quick release the pressure valve, remove the chicken from the sauce, and allow the sauce to thicken on the KEEP WARM setting for about 10-15 minutes, if desired.
- Stir in the capers just prior to serving, and garnish with fresh basil.
- Serve over gluten-free pasta or spaghetti squash!
Like this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore? You’ll love these too!
Chicken Saltimbocca
Mediterranean Zucchini Pasta
Pesto Shrimp & Squash Fettuccine
the Ultimate Dairy-Free Pesto
