Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken is a cheap and easy dinner to throw together. A keto, low carb high protein meal packed with flavor even your kids will love.

Yes you can make it with chicken breasts too but I find that thighs are highly underrated. Way more tender than any other part, and typically the cheapest pieces in the meat section too.

• Feel free to follow the same instructions if you have a Crockpot Express, Mealthy or Ninja Foodi pot too.
• This might be our favorite Instant Pot chicken recipe yet.

We made this with pasta once where we cut up the chicken into little pieces. That Instant Pot lemon chicken casserole is another great dinner choice too for a one pot meal.

Instant Pot lemon chicken

1. Pressure cooker
   1. I always HIGHLY suggest getting this non stick pot if you don’t already have one
2. Skinless chicken thighs
   1. we used chicken thighs bone-in
   2. if you used boneless I would probably keep the timing the same
   3. using frozen chicken thighs in Instant Pot is possible too, timing is just adjusted
3. Fresh lemons
   1. or lemon juice
4. Minced garlic
5. Olive oil
6. Onion
7. Salt and pepper
8. Chicken broth or stock
9. Butter
10. Cornstarch to thicken sauce at end if you’d like

To make lemon chicken thighs you’re going to want to set your pot to saute and add your olive oil. Then add your meat and sear or brown the chicken on all sides, then remove.

No they won’t be cooked through as of yet but not to worry, they will when you pressure cook them. 

1. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Now add a bit of your chicken broth with onions, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. Use a wooden spatula to deglaze your pot, to scrape the stuck on bits of meat off the bottom off.
   1. THIS is when you really want that non stick pot (for cleaning and sticking purposes)
4. Turn off saute and add the chicken back in, overlapping as little as possible.
5. Pour in the rest of your broth, melted butter and add lemon juice.
6. Close lid and turn steam valve to seal.
7. Set to high pressure for a 10 minute cook time
   1. timing is for thawed, medium size thighs
8. Do a quick release, set chicken aside, and set pot to saute again if you want to thicken the sauce.
9. In a small bowl add some of this hot liquid + your cornstarch and whisk until smooth.
   1. this cornstarch slurry will thicken the sauce
10. Add this back in and stir allowing sauce to get thicker, cook for 1 minute, then turn off and serve on top.

Lemon chicken Instant Pot recipe

So quick and easy right? The chicken turns golden brown and perfectly seasoned in under 30 minutes which is great. 

• Of course you can add more seasonings like garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings if you want.
• If you wanted a creamier sauce at the end you could whisk your cornstarch with some heavy cream too.
• This is a keto friendly meal you could serve as is or with a side dish of mixed vegetables if you wanted.

Now you could use either bone in skinless chicken thighs like you see here, or chicken breasts. That is your choice but I personally prefer dark meat because it turns out so tender. This cut is the least expensive as well and I think it tastes best.

Chicken thigh recipes

1. Instant Pot teriyaki chicken thighs
2. This is how to cook Instant Pot chicken thighs bone in
3. We have made great air fryer chicken thighs too
4. You could use thighs to make our chicken marsala Instant Pot recipe

Are chicken thighs bad for you?

Yes they are dark meat which means there is more fat content than white meat. Yet like avocados, this fat is considered healthy monounsaturated fat.

Thighs are much more affordable than skinless chicken breasts. All around I prefer them since you save money AND get a more flavorful and tender cut of meat!

Why are chicken thighs so cheap?

Legs and thighs are cheaper because they’re dark meat. Some people have it in their minds that dark meat will make you fat so they aren’t bought as often. Kept in moderation, like everything else, this is not true.

Chicken breasts are considered healthier, so they are normally in higher demand which drives the prices up.

Can you substitute bottled lemon juice for fresh?

• The average size lemon will give you about 2‒3 tablespoons of juice and personally I think tastes better. If you do use bottled, you’d add the same amount as you would if using fresh.
• Bottled preserved lemon juice can be used in many recipes if that is all you have.

1. If you need instructions for frozen chicken thighs in Instant Pot I have that too

Does cooked chicken freeze well?

Yes, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. Then use it in a leftover chicken recipe. After that, it’s best to freeze it for up to three months, just be sure to write the date on the bag with a marker.

• If you don’t have containers, freezer bags in quart or gallon sizes work great. I have a bunch of these on hand at all times.

Easy lemon chicken recipe

• We have Crockpot lemon pepper chicken directions for you too if you’d like to try that method as well.

Want to receive more easy pressure cooker recipes like this one delivered to your email inbox weekly? Sign up for our free newsletter now!