Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken – a one pot recipe made in the pressure cooker is the perfect easy meal for busy weeknights. Best of all, the chicken cooks up tender and juicy in a buttery lemon garlic sauce.
Easy Instant Pot recipes are my go to during the busy school week. As a busy mom of two little ones, I don’t always have time to prep ahead when it comes to dinner. That’s why I am such a big fan of the Instant Pot and use it regularly at our house.
This Lemon Garlic Chicken is tender, juicy and full of flavor. I just love the combo of lemon and garlic with chicken.
The acidity in the lemon brightens up the flavors so much in this dish. And the best part about this recipe? Dinner can be on the table in just 30 minutes with the help of a trusty pressure cooker.
HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS INSTANT POT LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN
You’re going to off by seasoning the chicken with some salt, black pepper and garlic powder. I used chicken thighs here but this dish would be delicious with chicken breasts as well.
Next, you’re going to brown the chicken in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. Searing the chicken helps to seal in those amazing flavors and gives the chicken that crispy coating. Transfer to plate then add the butter, onions, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning and chicken broth. Swap out the chicken broth for heavy cream for a rich and comforting version of this dinner favorite.
Seal the lid on and let your pressure do the rest.
WHAT SIDES CAN I SERVE WITH THIS LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN?
This chicken would go well with so many sides. I chose to serve it with some asparagus since it’s one of my favorite spring vegetables but broccoli, zucchini or cauliflower would be delicious as well.
This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is quick and easy dish bursting with bright and fresh flavors. It’s also low in carbs, keto friendly and perfect for spring. For a paleo friendly version, use homemade chicken broth and swap out the butter with coconut oil instead.
More Instant Pot recipes you might like:
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli (plus slow cooker)
Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken - a one pot recipe made in the pressure cooker is the perfect easy meal for busy weeknights. Best of all, the chicken cooks up tender and juicy in a buttery lemon garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 6-8 boneless chicken thighs skinless or with skin*
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 4 garlic cloves , sliced or minced
- 2 - 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning (I actually usually use 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoon but feel free to adjust to your liking)
- zest of half a lemon
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/3 cup 1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth **PLEASE SEE NOTES BELOW
- Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish if desired
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Instant Pot (I have the 6 Quart DUO)
- OR Cast Iron Skillet
Instructions
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Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili flakes.
To cook in the Instant Pot:
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Press the Sauté function (Normal setting) on the Instant Pot and add the olive oil to the pot. (I use a 6 Quart Instant Pot DUO)
Place chicken in the Instant Pot and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. This helps to seal in the juices and keep it tender. (You may have to work in batches depending on the size and amount of chicken you are using). Once browned, remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
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Melt butter in Instant Pot and stir in the onions and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze pan and cook for 1 minute. Add Italian seasoning, lemon zest and chicken broth.
Place the chicken back into the Instant Pot, lock the lid, and turn the valve to SEALING.
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Select the Manual (older models) or Pressure Cook (newer models) button and adjust the timer to 7 minutes.
It will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure and start counting down.
When done, release the pressure after 2 minutes, then remove your Instant Pot lid.
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Remove chicken from Instant Pot using tongs and set aside on a large serving plate. Stir in heavy cream (if using) into the Instant Pot.
(**If you like your sauce thicker - you can thicken with a cornstarch slurry (if not low carb) or 1/2 teaspoon of xanthum gum.)
Press off and turn Instant Pot to SAUTE function. Cook and allow sauce to bubble and thicken. Turn off and add chicken back to the Instant Pot to coat with sauce. Sprinkle chicken with chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite sides. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with lemon slices, if desired.
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Serve this Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken with a salad, cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles.
To cook on the stove:
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In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat add olive and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until chicken reaches 165 degrees. Transfer browned chicken to plate and set aside.
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Return pan back to heat and melt butter. Stir in the onions and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze pan and cook for 1 minute. Add Italian seasoning, lemon zest and chicken broth.
Stir in heavy cream (**If you like your sauce thicker - you can thicken with a cornstarch slurry (if not low carb) or 1/2 teaspoon of xanthum gum.). Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened up slightly, add the chicken back into the pan until hot. Sprinkle chicken with chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite sides. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with lemon slices, if desired.
Recipe Notes
*For chicken breasts: use 3 breasts, sliced horizontally in half.
****I use ⅓ cup of broth combined with the juice from the lemon in my 6 Quart Instant Pot DUO with no problems or *burning sign - if needed you can increase the amount of liquid if this combination doesn't work for your Instant Pot model
Natalie says
So good! We used bone in chicken thighs and they came out so flavorful! Thanks!
Vivian says
Mmm, this was so delicious! I used heavy cream and OMG yum!
Wendy says
We made chicken breasts and it was delicious! Thanks!
Melissa says
This was so yummy! Thank you!
Janice says
This was delicious, thank you!
Melissa says
Yum, this was delicious! Thanks!
Vivian says
Yum! This came out so delicious! Thank you!
Jessica says
This is one of the best Instapot chicken recipes I have ever tried! My entire family, including the baby, loved it. Thank you!
* I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs and added a little chili powder to season. The directions said chili flakes even though it wasn’t on the ingredient list, so I took a gamble and the outcome couldn’t have been better. So flavorful!
Addison Ferguson says
The chicken came out amazing! Super tender and flavorful. Instead of boneless chicken thighs I used 2 bone in chicken breasts, and it was great! Instead of fresh lemon because I didn’t have any, I used bottled lemon juice. I paired the chicken with fried potatoes and basil pesto pasta.
Adrienne says
Everybody loved it!!
Michelle Dunn says
This is the first meal my husband and I found to cook in our first six quart instapot. It was wonderful! Easy and delicious. I served with broccoli.