Enjoy a classic Italian dinner in 30 minutes. This one pot recipe is not only delicious, it’s also healthy and super simple to make. It’s loaded with chicken, whole wheat pasta, and vegetables. This complete meal is perfect for those busy weeknights.
This chicken cacciatore recipe is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is a crowd pleaser! It is a complete meal that is made all at once, which means you don’t have to worry about cooking a side of pasta or rice to go with the meal and clean up is a breeze!
Traditional chicken cacciatore uses bone in chicken pieces and is simmered for at least an hour and served over pasta or polenta. We are busy people and I don’t know about you, but there are days where I don’t have an hour to slave over the stove. This chicken cacciatore doesn’t lack any of the traditional flavors and is made in no time! To cut down on the cooking time, this recipe uses ground chicken. Using ground chicken allows us to cook pasta with it, bone in chicken would turn your pasta into mush… and we don’t want that! Also, I use balsamic vinegar to add a depth of flavor since we are not using wine like traditional cacciatore.
Tips for cooking pasta in the Instant Pot:
- No need to cook the meat completely as it will continue to cook under pressure. This helps keep the meat from drying out.
- Make sure your pasta is covered with the liquid before cooking to ensure all of the pasta is cooked evenly.
- Quick release the pressure once it’s done cooking so that your pasta doesn’t over cook.
Pasta dishes are always a hit with my family, especially with the little noshers. And this one is no different. Seconds were being requested before their bowls were empty and an early morning dance party happened in the kitchen a couple days later when they realized they were taking leftovers of it to school for lunch. Quick, easy, and kid approved! Win-Win!
[Originally posted on January 7, 2019. Updated with new details and photos on December 14, 2020.]
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 4 oz baby bella cremini mushrooms sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat rotini or penne pasta uncooked
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes with basil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake optional
- shredded parmesan, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Add the oil. Once the oil is heated, add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-4 mins.
- Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up into smaller pieces. Cook for about 3 minutes. *It doesn't need to be cooked all the way. Press the “Cancel/Keep Warm Button”.
- Add the pasta, crushed tomatoes, broth, balsamic vinegar, oregano, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, covering the pasta with the liquid.
- Cover and cook on high pressure “Manual” for 7 minutes.
- Quick release, so the pasta does not continue to cook. Remove bay leaf, give it a stir, and serve. Top with parmesan, if desired.