Cozy One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This easy one-pot chicken cacciatore transforms frozen chicken into rustic Italian comfort food in 28 minutes. Gluten-free, family-friendly, and ridiculously delicious!

You know those nights when you forget to thaw the chicken and dinner feels impossible? I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit—staring at frozen chicken breasts like they’re some kind of puzzle I can’t solve. That’s exactly how this one-pot chicken cacciatore recipe was born.

Last Tuesday, I had one of those days. The kind where you’re running on fumes and your family’s asking “what’s for dinner?” at 5 PM.

I tossed frozen chicken into my Instant Pot with whatever veggies were lurking in the fridge, added a generous pour of red wine (okay, maybe I had a sip too), and crossed my fingers. Twenty-eight minutes later? Pure Italian magic.

This easy chicken cacciatore is everything you need on a busy weeknight. It’s a rustic tomato chicken stew that doesn’t require you to be a master chef or even remember to defrost your protein.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, finding convenient gluten-free meals that the whole family enjoys can be challenging—but this one-pan Italian chicken proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.

The best part? It makes enough sauce to freeze for later, so you’re essentially cooking two meals at once. Now that’s my kind of efficiency.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This rustic tomato chicken stew checks every box for busy families navigating gluten-free living. You literally dump everything into one pot and walk away—no browning, no sautéing, no standing over the stove.

The one-pan Italian chicken comes out tender and practically falls apart when you shred it. Meanwhile, the sauce gets rich and deeply flavored from all those herbs and vegetables mingling together under pressure.

I love that this easy chicken cacciatore uses frozen chicken breasts straight from the freezer. No more “oops, I forgot to thaw” panic moments. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free when you pair it with gluten-free pasta, making it perfect for celiac families or anyone avoiding gluten.

Ingredients

For the One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore:

• 2 frozen chicken breasts
• Generous salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 celery rib, diced
• 1 large red pepper, diced
• 4 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 can (28 ounces) oregano and basil tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 cup red cooking wine
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• 2 boxes Modern Table Penne (or your favorite gluten-free pasta)
• Fresh basil for garnish, if desired

Instructions

Making Your Easy Chicken Cacciatore:

1. Pour the olive oil into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place those frozen chicken breasts right on top and season them generously with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy here—the chicken needs that flavor boost.
2. Now comes the fun part. Dump all the remaining ingredients on top of the chicken (except the pasta, obviously). Yes, just pile it all in there. This one-pot chicken cacciatore is beautifully forgiving.
3. Secure the lid and slide that valve to “seal.” Double-check that your Instant Pot is set to “high” pressure. Hit the “manual” button and adjust to 28 minutes using those plus and minus buttons.
4. When you’ve got 15 minutes left on the timer, start your pasta. Cook according to package directions, drain it, and set it aside. This timing works out perfectly—trust me.
5. Once the cooking time finishes, carefully move the valve to “release” for a quick release. Stand back a bit because that steam is hot! This rustic tomato chicken stew is almost ready.
6. Open the lid and lift out those tender chicken breasts. Shred them with two forks (they’ll practically fall apart), then return the shredded chicken to the pot and give everything a good stir.
7. Taste your easy chicken cacciatore and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Every palate is different, so make it yours.
8. Ladle that gorgeous sauce and chicken over your cooked penne. Scatter fresh basil on top if you’re feeling fancy. Dinner is served!

Substitutions & Swaps

This one-pan Italian chicken adapts beautifully to whatever you have on hand. If you don’t have frozen chicken breasts, fresh ones work perfectly—just reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes.

For the vegetables in this rustic tomato chicken stew, feel free to swap in zucchini, eggplant, or even spinach added at the end. My friend tosses in sun-dried tomatoes sometimes, and it’s absolutely divine.

No red wine? Use chicken broth or beef broth instead. The depth of flavor won’t be quite the same, but your easy chicken cacciatore will still be delicious. I’ve even used balsamic vinegar in a pinch (about 2 tablespoons mixed with broth).

For a dairy-free version, this one-pot chicken cacciatore already qualifies! Just make sure your pasta is both gluten-free and dairy-free if needed.

If mushrooms aren’t your thing, leave them out or double up on the peppers. This recipe is incredibly flexible.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes your rustic tomato chicken stew might seem a bit watery when you first open the lid. Don’t panic! Let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid off, and the sauce will thicken up as it cools slightly.

If your easy chicken cacciatore tastes a little acidic from the tomatoes, that tablespoon of sugar helps balance everything out. You can add another half tablespoon if needed—it’s not about making it sweet, just rounding out those flavors.

The chicken not shredding easily? It probably needed a few more minutes. Close the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes on high pressure. This one-pan Italian chicken should be fork-tender every time.

If you’re using particularly thick chicken breasts, you might need to add 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time. Better to check and add more time than to serve undercooked chicken.

Storage & Meal Prep Magic

Here’s where this one-pot chicken cacciatore really shines. The recipe makes a ton of sauce—I’m talking enough for at least two meals, maybe three if you’re stretching it.

Store the leftover sauce separately from the pasta in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. When you’re ready for round two, just reheat the sauce and pour it over freshly cooked pasta. Seriously, it’s like having a homemade frozen dinner waiting for you.

For longer storage, freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. This rustic tomato chicken stew actually tastes even better after freezing—all those flavors meld together beautifully. According to Harvard Health, batch cooking and freezing meals like this can reduce stress and help families stick to healthier eating patterns.

When you reheat your easy chicken cacciatore, add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. A few minutes on the stove or in the microwave, and you’re back in business.

Serving Suggestions

While this one-pan Italian chicken is perfect over pasta, don’t stop there. I’ve ladled it over creamy polenta on chilly evenings, and it was absolutely heavenly.

Try serving your rustic tomato chicken stew with crusty gluten-free bread for soaking up that gorgeous sauce. You could also spoon it over baked potatoes, cauliflower rice, or even zucchini noodles for a lighter option.

A simple side salad with olive oil and lemon dressing balances the richness beautifully. Sometimes I’ll throw together a quick arugula salad with shaved Parmesan—takes maybe three minutes.

This easy chicken cacciatore pairs wonderfully with a glass of the same red wine you used for cooking. It’s one of those meals that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for Tuesday night.

Kid-Friendly Variations

My kids aren’t huge mushroom fans (shocker, right?), so I often skip them or chop them super fine so they disappear into the sauce. The one-pot chicken cacciatore still tastes amazing without them.

If your little ones are sensitive to herbs, you can dial back the seasonings a bit. Start with half the herbs listed, then let the adults add more to their individual bowls.

For picky eaters who prefer mild flavors, reduce the garlic and skip the capers. This rustic tomato chicken stew is still delicious in its simplified form—sometimes simple is exactly what kids need.

I’ve found that letting kids help shred the chicken makes them way more excited to eat this easy chicken cacciatore. There’s something about using two forks to pull the meat apart that feels like a fun kitchen project.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this one-pan Italian chicken is all about the pressure cooking. Starting with frozen chicken breasts actually helps them stay moist under pressure instead of drying out.

All those vegetables release their moisture during cooking, creating extra liquid that keeps your rustic tomato chicken stew from burning. The wine adds acidity and depth that you just can’t get from broth alone.

The combination of tomato paste, sauce, and canned tomatoes creates layers of tomato flavor without being one-dimensional. That little bit of sugar balances the acidity perfectly.

Cooking the pasta separately prevents it from getting mushy, and it means your easy chicken cacciatore sauce stays concentrated and flavorful. You can control exactly how saucy you want each serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Gluten-Free Family Favorites

If you’re loving this one-pot chicken cacciatore, you’ll definitely want to check out these other easy weeknight recipes from GrainlessLife.com.

My Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Taquitos are perfect for busy nights when you need something the kids will actually eat without complaint. They’re crispy, protein-packed, and disappear faster than I can make them.

And if you’re looking to up your bread game, this Easy Protein Gluten-Free Bread has been a total game-changer in our house. It’s soft, holds together for sandwiches, and doesn’t taste like cardboard (which, let’s be honest, is a win for gluten-free bread).

Final Thoughts on This Easy Chicken Cacciatore

This one-pan Italian chicken has honestly saved dinner more times than I can count. There’s something so comforting about a rustic tomato chicken stew that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.

Whether you’re new to gluten-free cooking or you’ve been at it for years, this easy chicken cacciatore is one of those recipes you’ll return to again and again. It’s forgiving, flexible, and actually tastes better the next day.

So grab those frozen chicken breasts from the depths of your freezer, pour yourself a small glass of that cooking wine, and let your Instant Pot do the heavy lifting. You’ve got this, and dinner is going to be delicious.