This Low-Carb Chicken Cacciatore is a classic and comforting dish rich in tomato flavor. Make this easy recipe in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Serve it with zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly, paleo, and Whole30 dinner.

low-carb chicken cacciatore served with zucchini noodles.

While a traditional chicken cacciatore is often served with pasta, this version is made low-carb. It has tons of flavor and I promise you won’t miss the carbs.

Serve your cooked Chicken Cacciatore with low-carb noodles like zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or hearts of palm noodles (my new favorite)! If you’re not on a low-carb diet, you can serve the chicken with cooked spaghetti noodles.

Whether you’re meal prepping or you just want a simple chicken recipe full of flavor, then you’ve got to try this recipe.

Contents hide
1 Key Ingredients
2 Recipe Steps
3 Recipe Tips
4 Recipe FAQs
5 Other Low-Carb Recipes You Might Like
6 Low-Carb Chicken Cacciatore

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for instant pot chicken cacciatore including bell pepper, tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken broth, and chicken cutlets

You’ll need chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe.

Mushrooms, bell pepper, garlic, and onion add substance, flavor, and texture.

Broth, crushed or chopped tomatoes, and wine help make a nice sauce.

Recipe Steps

Let me show you how easy it is to make this classic Italian dish using an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.

process photos for making chicken cacciatore in instant pot.

Step One

Set your Instant Pot to sauté, or heat up the oil in a large saucepan or skillet.

If it’s your first time using the Instant Pot, then you just press the Sauté button and let the pot heat up for a few minutes. Don’t miss my guide on How to Use the Instant Pot for Beginners.

Add the olive oil, chicken, garlic, onion, oregano, and salt and sauté for 3-4 minutes, turning once. This extra step of sautéing the chicken with the onion and garlic helps build flavor.

Step Two

Cancel the Sauté button and add the wine, broth, bell peppers, mushrooms, and crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. You can leave out the wine if you’re on a Whole30 diet.

Cancel the sauté function and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape off any bits from the bottom of the pot.

See the full recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post for exact measurements, nutritional information, and substitutions.

Step Three

Lock on the lid and cook the Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore at high pressure for a cook time of 8 minutes.

When the cooking time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 5 minutes. Then, release the remaining pressure using the quick release.

Or, if you’re using the stovetop, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

Step Four

Remove the lid and stir in the balsamic vinegar and black pepper (or red pepper flakes). Serve hot, over your choice of noodles, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or cauliflower mash.

I hope your family loves this Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe as much as mine does!

cooked chicken cacciatore served over steamed zucchini noodles.

Recipe Tips

  • STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and let it heat up. Add the chicken, garlic, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and use a spoon to deglaze the pan. Add the broth, bell peppers, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste, and stir to combine. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately. 
  • The nutrition info does not include any zucchini noodles.
  • For Whole30, leave out the wine and use all chicken broth instead. 
  • Don’t skip sautéing the chicken as this really helps to build flavor.
  • You can use chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat before serving.
  • For low-carb, serve the cooked chicken with veggie noodles, cauliflower rice, or cauliflower mash.

Recipe FAQs

I don’t like mushrooms, can I leave them out?

Yes, absolutely! Just leave out the mushrooms if you want to. Or, you could also replace the mushrooms with chopped zucchini or celery.

Can I use white wine instead of red wine in this recipe?

Yes, you can use either.

What does “Cacciatore” mean?

Chicken Cacciatore translates from Italian as a “hunter’s meal.”

Other Low-Carb Recipes You Might Like

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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instant pot chicken cacciatore served over zucchini noodles

Low-Carb Chicken Cacciatore

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
Print Recipe

This Low-Carb Chicken Cacciatore is a classic and comforting dish rich in tomato flavor. Make this easy recipe in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Serve it with zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly, paleo, and Whole30 dinner.

  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken cutlets, cut into large chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup red wine (leave out and replace with extra chicken broth for Whole30)
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 (14-ounce) can crushed or chopped tomatoes, with the juices
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Select Sauté on your Instant Pot and add the oil to the inner pot. Once hot, add the chicken, garlic, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Press Cancel and pour the wine into the pot. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the broth, bell peppers, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste, and stir to combine.
  3. Lock the lid into place. Select Pressure Cook or Manual, and adjust the pressure to high for 8 minutes. Make sure the valve is in the sealed position. 
  4. After the cooking time is complete, naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir in the vinegar.
  6. Serve immediately, over your choice of noodles, rice, or potatoes.

Equipment

Notes

  1. STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and let it heat up. Add the chicken, garlic, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and use a spoon to deglaze the pan. Add the broth, bell peppers, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste, and stir to combine. Cover the pot and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately. 
  2. The nutrition info does not include any zucchini noodles.
  3. For Whole30, leave out the wine and use all chicken broth instead. 
  4. Don’t skip sautéing the chicken as this really helps to build flavor.
  5. Substitute the dried oregano with Italian seasoning, if you prefer.
  6. You can use chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
  7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat before serving.
  8. For low-carb, serve the cooked chicken with veggie noodles, cauliflower rice, or cauliflower mash.
    • Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 8 minutes
    • Category: Main dish
    • Method: Instant Pot or Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Italian
    • Diet: Gluten Free

    Keywords: low carb chicken dinner, italian dinner with zucchini noodles, instant pot chicken cacciatore

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