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!
This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is the perfect low carb & keto friendly meal for spring. Best of all, this recipe is super simple and the chicken cooks up tender, juicy and full of flavor with instructions for the pressure cooker and stovetop. Serve with roasted asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, cauliflower or your favorite vegetable. Great for meal prep Sunday to make ahead for work or school lunchboxes & lunch bowls.
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
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and chili flakes.
To cook in the Instant Pot:
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)
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.