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Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/instant-pot-lemon-garlic-chicken-recipe/