Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic

This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic is an easy low carb / keto-friendly meal for spring. Best of all, this pressure cooker chicken recipe cooks up tender, juicy and full of flavor! 

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With the busy spring season, easy one pot  and Instant Pot meals are always on rotation around here.

A few of our favorites include:

• Harvest Chicken with Vegetables
• Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
• Balsamic Chicken

YOU CAN FIND MORE POPULAR INSTANT POT RECIPES HERE:

This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic is tender, juicy and full of bright and sunny flavors.

The best part is that dinner can be on the table in just 30 minutes with the help of a trusty pressure cooker. And if you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, I’ve even included instructions for the stove-top below or in this Lemon Garlic Chicken POST HERE.

The chicken cooks up tender and juicy with a delicious buttery lemon garlic sauce. It’s made with simple ingredients and packed with so much flavor.

I chose to serve this with roasted asparagus since it’s my favorite spring vegetable but broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans or any steamed or roasted vegetables you prefer would be great too!

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT LEMON CHICKEN WITH GARLIC

1. You start off by seasoning the chicken with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and red chili flakes for some heat. Feel free to leave out the chili flakes if you are sensitive to heat.
2. I used chicken thighs here because I love that they stay tender but I have also made this a number of times with chicken breasts and it still comes out super flavorful.
3. Next, you’re going to brown the chicken in the Instant Pot using the sauté function.

   

   

   
   
4. Searing the chicken helps  to seal in those amazing juices and gives the chicken that extra layer of flavor. Transfer to [amazon_textlink asin=’B00F39GAMK’ text=’plate’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’lifmadswe09-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c9ba5c48-3d03-11e8-9800-a5b8cf1bf96f’] then add the butter, onions, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice,  Italian seasoning, chicken broth and heavy cream.
5. Seal the lid on and let your pressure cooker do the rest.

**NOTE: I have the 6 Quart Instant Pot Duo and have NEVER HAD an issue with adding the amount of liquid called for in this recipe but if you do get that “burn” message, you can certainly try adding more liquid.

IS THIS INSTANT POT LEMON CHICKEN WITH GARLIC PALEO FRIENDLY?

For a paleo and Whole30 friendly version, swap use ghee or olive oil instead of butter and swap the heavy cream with coconut cream.

WHAT ELSE CAN I SERVE WITH INSTANT POT LEMON CHICKEN?

This instant pot lemon garlic chicken would go well with so many sides.

I chose to serve it it alone with some roasted asparagus to keep it low carb and keto friendly but if you are looking for a heartier non/low carb meal, it would go perfectly over a plate of pasta, Instant Pot quinoa or this Instant Pot rice.

This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic is a quick and easy dish bursting with bright and fresh flavors.

It’s also low in carbs and perfect for spring and any busy weeknight!

More Instant Pot recipes you might like:

Over 16 Pressure Cooker Chicken Recipes

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style

Instant Pot Rice with Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables

Chicken Cacciatore (Instant Pot)

Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Pin here for later and follow my boards on Pinterest for more Instant Pot recipes

5 from 109 votes

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Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic

Prep Time

9 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

29 mins

 

This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic - the perfect easy meal for spring. Best of all, this chicken cooks up tender, juicy and full of flavor with instructions for the pressure cooker and stovetop.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken, dinner, garlic, Instant Pot, Instant Pot chicken recipe, lemon, one pot, stove

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 366 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 6-8 boneless chicken thighs , skinless or with skin*
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes optional or to taste
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons butter (swap with ghee for paleo OR Whole30)
• 1/2 small onion chopped
• 4 garlic cloves sliced or minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2-4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• zest of half a lemon
• 1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth **PLEASE SEE NOTES BELOW
• 2 Tablespoons heavy cream OR coconut cream
• Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish , if desired

Tools:

• Instant Pot I have the 6 Quart Instant Pot DUO
• OR Cast Iron Skillet

Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and chili flakes.
   

To cook in the Instant Pot:

1. 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)
   

2. 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.

   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.

3. 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.

4. 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 arrowroot starch slurry (or xanthan gum) by mixing 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (arrowroot starch) mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water). Press off and turn Instant Pot to SAUTE function. Cook and allow the sauce to bubble and thicken. Turn off and add chicken back to the Instant Pot to coat with sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with your favorite sides and garnish with lemon slices, if desired.

To cook on the stove:

1. In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat add olive and cook for 4-5 on each side, or until chicken reaches 165 degrees. Transfer browned chicken to plate and set aside.
   

2. Return pan back to heat and melt butter. Stir in onion and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze the 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 arrowroot starch slurry (or xanthan gum) by mixing 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (arrowroot starch) mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water].
   

   Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened up slightly, add the chicken back into the pan until hot. Spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with your favorite sides 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

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 366 Calories from Fat 279

% Daily Value*

Fat 31g48%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Sodium 190mg8%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Protein 18g36%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.