Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish that’s quick to prepare. The combination of zesty lemon, garlic, and Italian seasoning creates a bright and savory meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 6-8 boneless chicken thighs, skinless or with skin (sea salt and pepper, to taste, divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• Juice and zest of one lemon
• 1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth
• Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Step 2: Press the Sauté function (Normal setting) on your Instant Pot and add the olive oil.
3. Step 3: Place the chicken in the pot and sear each side for 2 minutes until golden brown. Work in batches if needed. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Step 4: Melt butter in the Instant Pot, then stir in the chopped onion and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze the pan and cook for 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Add Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken to the pot. Lock the lid and set the valve to SEAL.
7. Step 7: Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode and set the timer for 7 minutes.
8. Step 8: After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 2-3 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to RELEASE and remove the lid.
9. Step 9: (Optional) To thicken the sauce, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water. Stir into the pot, press Sauté, and cook until sauce thickens.
10. Step 10: Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices. Serve hot with your favorite sides and spoon the sauce over the chicken.

Tips & Variations

• Use skin-on chicken thighs for extra flavor and crispy texture if desired.
• Fresh garlic adds more aroma, but garlic powder works well if you’re short on time.
• Try adding a splash of white wine when deglazing for deeper flavor.
• Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through. The sauce may thicken in the fridge—add a splash of broth or water when reheating if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used but cook time may need to be reduced slightly to prevent drying out. Keep an eye on the texture when pressure cooking.

Do I need to brown the chicken first?

Browning the chicken helps seal in juices and adds flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. The dish will still be tasty but with a less caramelized exterior.

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 60 reviews

This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken thighs infused with zesty lemon and rich garlic flavors. Quick and easy to prepare, this dish features a beautifully seared chicken base that simmers in a fragrant lemon-garlic sauce, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, this meal pairs wonderfully with rice, vegetables, or pasta.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 6–8 boneless chicken thighs, skinless or with skin
• Sea salt, to taste, divided
• Black pepper, to taste, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced

Seasoning and Broth

• 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• Juice and zest of one lemon
• 1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth

Garnish

• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring all surfaces are covered for balanced flavor.
2. Start Sauté Mode: Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot set to Normal. Add the olive oil to the pot and allow it to heat up.
3. Sear the Chicken: Place chicken thighs into the hot Instant Pot and sear for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. This seals in the juices and enhances tenderness. Depending on the amount, sear in batches if needed. Remove the seared chicken and set aside.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in the Instant Pot. Add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Pour in lemon juice to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits for extra flavor. Cook for about 1 minute.
5. Add Seasonings and Broth: Stir in Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and chicken broth into the pot, mixing well with the aromatics and pan drippings.
6. Return Chicken to Pot: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are partially submerged in the liquid.
7. Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to SEAL. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook function and set the timer for 7 minutes. It will take approximately 5-10 minutes for the pressure to build before cooking starts.
8. Pressure Release: When cooking completes, allow a natural pressure release for 2-3 minutes. Then carefully move the valve to RELEASE to fully release pressure and remove the lid.
9. Optional Thickening: If desired, prepare a slurry by whisking 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water. Stir this into the Instant Pot, select Sauté mode, and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and bubbles.
10. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken. Serve hot, spooning the lemon-garlic sauce over the thighs, and garnish with lemon slices if preferred.

Notes

• For best flavor, searing the chicken before pressure cooking is essential as it locks in juices and adds color.
• Use low sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
• You can use chicken thighs with skin for extra richness, but skinless works well too.
• If you don’t have an Instant Pot, this recipe can be adapted to a stovetop skillet with longer cooking times.
• The cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce; skip this step if you prefer a thinner sauce.
• Pair this dish with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Instant Pot, Lemon Garlic Chicken, Pressure Cooker Chicken, Quick Chicken Dinner, Easy Chicken Recipe, One Pot Chicken