Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is a great recipe when you're looking for a quick and delicious family dinner, made easily in your pressure cooker!
Simple ingredients, fast, and delicious. Those are the three main things I look for when it comes to family-friendly recipes for busy weeknights.
If those are things you look for in new recipes to try, then you will love this Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe. It's an easy dish that the whole family will love!
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❤️ Why you'll love this chicken dinner
- Simple ingredients - It's made with ingredients we usually have on hand in our refrigerator and pantry.
- Easy recipe - The recipe to make these lemon garlic chicken thighs is SO simple and easy to follow.
- Fast recipe - Like most Instant Pot recipes, cooking time is faster thanks to pressure cooking.
- Flavorful recipe - With pressure cooking, the bright lemon garlic flavor is infused throughout the juicy chicken meat.
- Family-friendly - This is a chicken recipe that is truly family-friendly, with no unusual ingredients and allergy-free ingredients that most people can enjoy.
Ingredient notes
To make this easy Instant Pot chicken recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients you can find at any local grocery store.
- Chicken - you need 4-6 chicken thighs. I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Olive oil - Use your favorite extra virgin olive oil to brown the chicken in the Instant Pot.
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice adds refreshing acidity.
- Butter - I like to use butter to add some extra flavor and fat to the dish.
- Aromatics - Use onions, minced fresh garlic, and minced fresh ginger.
- Basil - Fresh chopped basil adds nice bright herbaceousness to the dish.
- Chicken stock - You can use homemade chicken broth or homemade chicken stock, or store-bought chicken stock.
- Seasonings - Season chicken with simple kosher salt and ground black pepper.
Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon slices.
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions
A complete ingredient list with more detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here are some step-by-step photos and quick instructions to show you how to make this easy Instant Pot recipe.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Press the Sauté function, then sauté chicken pieces for about 2-3 minutes on each side, just until they've browned.
- Remove chicken and add fresh lemon juice and butter to deglaze the pot. Gently scrape any chicken bits off the bottom of the inside of the pot. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and basil, and sauté for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken back to the pot. Slowly pour in the chicken stock. Seal the top and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow natural release for 5 minutes before venting with quick release for the remaining pressure.
🍽️ Serving ideas
My favorite way to enjoy this lemon garlic chicken recipe is to serve it over a bed of Instant Pot Basmati Rice or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
It's also great served with a side of Instant Pot Green Beans, Corn and Quinoa Caprese Salad, or
This is an easy dish with fast cook time that is versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are other delicious ideas for serving this Instant Pot chicken recipe:
- Serve it with pasta for a lemon garlic chicken pasta dish.
- Cut up the chicken to make chicken sandwiches.
- Shred the chicken, spice it up with some paprika and turmeric, and enjoy it with naan bread, tabouleh and tzatziki sauce for lemony chicken shawarma.
🍷 Wine pairing for lemon garlic chicken
The acidic citrus and the tangy ginger in this healthy chicken recipe calls for a bright white wine pairing. I've paired this with DePonte Cellars Melon de Bourgogne from Oregon.
This pressure cooker chicken recipe would also be delicious with a crisp dry Riesling or a silky Sauvignon Blanc.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Chicken thighs tend to work better for this recipe, but in a pinch, you can also use juicy chicken breasts to make this Instant Pot lemon chicken.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
🍳 Equipment Tools
Ready to make this easy Instant Pot chicken recipe? You'll need an electric pressure cooker, such as a Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot.
🍗 More easy chicken recipes
Want more great chicken dinner ideas? You can browse our entire Chicken Recipe Collection. Or try making one of these yummy recipes:
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-6 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
- salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely minced
- 1 tbsp garlic cloves (about 2 large cloves), minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 tbsp chopped basil
- ½ cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Season both sides of chicken with salt & pepper.
- Turn your pressure cooker on to SAUTE and add olive oil. Sauté chicken until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken and add fresh lemon juice and butter to deglaze the pot. Gently scrape any chicken bits off the bottom of the inside of the pot.
- Add onions, garlic, ginger, and basil, and sauté for about 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken back to the pot. Slowly pour in the chicken stock. Seal the top and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Allow natural release for 5 minutes before venting with quick release.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Chicken recipe says
Your chicken always looks so perfect and mouth watering. I always tend to over cook mine, but I hope next time will be good.
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
This instant pot recipe looks super yummy Marlynn! I love that you added in some ginger for an unexpected twist!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks, Erin! :)
Hillary Knudsen says
Lemon and garlic are two of the biggest staples in our house, so this recipe was calling my name!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's one of my favorite combos, too! Thanks, Hillary! :)
Juana Noris says
It came out great I added a little extra garlic because we are big fans of garlic. It is so yummy!!!!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad to hear that, Juana! Hope you enjoy this recipe for years to come! :)
Vicky says
You had me at Instant Pot, but you kept me at lemon garlic. This dish has all my favorite flavors cooked in the easiest way possible. The Instant Pot is a lifesaver and I am always excited to try new recipes.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! I love my instant pot! Thanks so much!
Vicky says
The timing of me coming across this post could not be better - I literally just took out some chicken to defrost in hopes of making an instant pot chicken recipe for dinner tonight! Looks like this is what I'll be making : ))
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Yay! I hope you love it! Thanks, Vicky!
Jillian says
This was an instant hit in my home! I love the flavors and serving this dish over jasmine rice is the perfect pairing!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Glad to hear it! Thanks, Jillian!
kim says
So much flavor and I love that this is made in the instant pot! So delish!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I love a quick and easy meal! Thanks, Kim! :)
Michelle Cannon says
I love anything lemon! Lemon and garlic together is perfect! Loved it.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! One of my favorite combos! Thanks so much, Michelle!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Your chicken looks so moist and tender - love easy dishes like this for those busy nights!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I do, too! Thanks so much, Shashi! :)