This easy Instant Pot Lemon Chicken recipe is bursting with fresh flavors and can be made in 30 minutes! The perfect weeknight meal to make in your pressure cooker. The sauce is just amazing!
Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Tortellini Soup, and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese are all fan favorites!
Table of Contents
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
We think we found a new favorite Instant Pot Recipe!! Hello, delicious Instant Pot Lemon Chicken! Families just adore this recipe because of the buttery lemon sauce that accompanies the tender chicken. If you’re a sauce person, definitely give this recipe a try.
Wow, the flavor! And wow, the ease!
We love recipes like this and Instant Pot Butter Chicken because they have so much flavor and take little time to cook. Like, just 30 minutes!
The Instant Pot is made for recipes like this and busy weeknights!
If you want a baked lemon chicken recipe, we have that too!
Ingredients for Lemon Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Chicken Thighs – you can leave the skin on or off.
- Sea Salt – wonderful for cooking and adding just the right flavor.
- Garlic Powder – it sticks to the chicken nicely.
- Paprika – a delightful spice that adds a hint of flavor.
- Red Chili Flakes – optional if you like a little heat.
- Butter – to cook the onions and fresh garlic.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – for sauteing the chicken in the Instant Pot.
- Onions – chopped into pieces.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves – sliced or minced.
- Italian Seasoning – the perfect seasoning for this dish.
- Lemon – you’ll use both the juice and zest to give the chicken a citrus kick.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth – the base of your delicious sauce.
- Fresh Parsley – optional for garnish
How To Pressure Cooker Lemon Chicken
Ok, it’s time to start making dinner and have it DONE in about 30 minutes!
Step 1
Grab your chicken and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and chili flakes on both sides.
Step 2
Now, put your Instant pot to the sauté function and add olive oil into the pot. Let it get nice and hot.
Step 3
Once it’s hot, place chicken in the instant pot and brown the chicken on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. You will likely have to work in batches depending on the amount of chicken you are making. I always do since we have so many mouths to feed!
Once browned, remove the chicken from Instant Pot and set aside.
Step 4
Add the butter to Instant Pot and melt. Now, stir in the savory onions and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze the pot. Make sure you get all the little bits, so you don’t get the burn notice.
Cook for 1 minute and then add Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and chicken broth.
Step 5
Put chicken back into the Instant Pot with the other ingredients, lock the lid, and turn the valve to seal. Select the “pressure cook” button (on newer models) and set a timer to 7 minutes.
(Note: It takes 5-10 minutes to get to pressure and start counting down.)
Step 6
When done, allow the chicken to naturally release for 2-3 minutes. Then, push the value for a quick release.
Step 7
If you like a nice thick sauce, remove chicken from Instant Pot and take cornstarch and mix it in a small bowl with water and add it to Instant Pot. Press sauté and allow the sauce to thicken and boil. Add chicken back into the pot to get coated with the yummy sauce and heat back up.
Serve chicken with sauce spooned over top (lots of sauce) and garnished with parsley and sliced lemons if desired.
What Sides go with Instant Pot Lemon Chicken?
Enjoy this Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Soooo, good! It would also be great with roasted or steamed asparagus or cauliflower.
You may also like a side of quinoa to go with your chicken.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
- So, if you’re going a little healthy leave the skin off the chicken. If you don’t mind the extra fat, leave the skin on to get a nice crisp.
- If you can’t get enough lemon, double the amount of lemon zest listed.
- You can put lemon slices in the instant pot when the chicken is cooking. The whole slice becomes soft and edible–and quite delicious. For presentation add fresh lemon slices at the end. However, the flavor bonus is worth doing both if you’d like!
- Most importantly, if you have issues with the “burn” error, make sure you scrape/deglaze really well after you sauté the chicken.
Can You Freeze Lemon Garlic Chicken?
Yes, you can freeze this Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe.
- Once cooked, let the chicken cool completely.
- Place in an airtight container. Label and date and then store in the freezer for up to two months.
Follow our Tips for Preventing Freezer Burn and you’ll always serve great tasting food from the freezer.
When it’s time to use your Lemon Chicken thaw overnight in the refrigerator or thaw slowly in the microwave. Then, place in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. It can also be reheated in the microwave until the desired temperature.
Supplies Used to Make Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
This post contains affiliate links. Disclosure policy here.
We like the 6-quart Instant Pot Ultra, but the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo is also an awesome choice.
We Love to Hear From You!
If you try this Instant Pot Chicken Recipe or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it went in the comments below, we love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.
You can also FOLLOW US FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food, fun crafts + DIYs!
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 6-8 boneless chicken thighs (skin on or off)
- sea salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
- 4-5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- juice and zest of one lemon (more if desired)
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth (see notes)
- chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Sauce Thickener (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and chili flakes on both sides.
- Select the sauté function on your Instant Pot and add olive oil into the pot.
- Once hot, place chicken in the Instant Pot and brown on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. You will likely have to work in batches depending on the amount of chicken you are making. Once browned, remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
- Add butter to Instant Pot and melt. Now stir in onions and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze the pot. Cook for 1 minute and then add Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and chicken broth.
- Put chicken back into the Instant Pot with the other ingredients, lock the lid, and turn the valve to seal. Select the "pressure cook" button and set time to 7 minutes. (Note: It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to get to pressure and start counting down.)
- When done, allow the chicken to naturally release for 2-3 minutes. Then, push the value for a quick release.
- If you like a thick sauce, remove chicken from Instant Pot and take cornstarch and mix it in a small bowl with water and add it to Instant Pot. Press sauté and allow the sauce to thicken and boil. Add chicken back in to coat it with sauce and heat back up.
- Serve chicken with sauce spooned over top and garnish with parsley and sliced lemons if desired.
Video
Notes
- If you're looking for a healthier option, leave the skin off the chicken. If you don't mind the extra fat, leave the skin on to get a nice crisp.
- If you can't get enough lemon, double the amount of lemon zest listed.
- You can put lemon slices in the instant pot when the chicken is cooking. The whole slice becomes soft and edible--and quite delicious. For presentation add fresh lemon slices at the end. However, the flavor bonus is worth doing both if you'd like!
Nutrition
Other Delicious Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Butter Chicken – our fav!
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese – the kid’s fav!
Instant Pot Tortellini Soup – an all-around favorite.
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – another simple, but delicious meal.
