Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Chicken with Peppers and Onions

Square close up shot of Crock Pot or Instant Pot Chicken with Peppers and Onions over pasta in a bowl.

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4.34 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Chicken with Peppers and Onions

Enjoy this easy Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Chicken with Peppers and Onions for a healthy Italian-inspired dinner!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Healthy Instant Pot Chicken, instant pot chicken recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 7

Heating Time (Pressure Cooker) 10

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 219kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 red bell peppers seeded and sliced
1 sweet onion sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
8 ounces tomato sauce
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper add more for a spicy dish or omit entirely for a mild dish
Salt and pepper
Garnish: 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley
For serving: pasta, rice, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice, etc.

Instructions

Season chicken with 3/4 t. salt on both sides. Set aside.
Press “sear” or “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Add oil to the pot. When the oil is shimmering, add peppers, onions, mushrooms, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sauté until soft (about 3-5 minutes). Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 30 more seconds. Turn off sear function.
Add chicken and tomato sauce. Stir. Close the top properly and select “Poultry” or “Manual” setting. Set the time to 7 minutes for fresh chicken breasts (if using large chicken breasts, cut them in half), or 10 minutes for thighs.
When done, release the steam and remove the lid right away to prevent overcooking. Stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley, season with crushed red pepper, and add salt and pepper, to taste.
Use a slotted spoon to serve chicken and vegetablesover pasta, rice, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice, if desired. The meat is also great in hoagies (toasted with melted cheese on top) or as a topping on pizza or flatbread. The sauce is thinner than a typical marinara, so I like to use a slotted spoon when serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Alternative slow cooker method:

If you have time to sear the chicken in a hot skillet for a few minutes per side before placing it in the slow cooker, I think that gives the meat great flavor. If you don't have time to brown the chicken first, that's okay too!

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir to combine.

Cover and cook on “LOW” setting for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve chicken, vegetables, and sauce with a slotted spoon over pasta, rice, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice, if desired. The meat is also great in hoagies (toasted with melted cheese on top) or as a topping on pizza or flatbread. Garnish with fresh herbs just before serving.

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