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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Instant Pot / Instant Pot Lemon Chicken

    Instant Pot Lemon Chicken

    Published: May 22, 2020 by Anna 18 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken is an easy and affordable weeknight dinner made with chicken thighs, lemon and garlic. The chicken is juicy and flavorful and the whole dish is done in under 30 minutes!

    I serve it with mashed potatoes because the gravy is absolutely delicious. You can also make quick Instant Pot Green Beans to serve on the side.

    Chicken thighs in the Instant Pot with lemons.

    One of the most affordable cuts of chicken and one of the easiest to cook are thighs. They are more flavorful than chicken breast and easier to remain juicy once cooked. This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken is a perfect way to use them and make an easy dish that is bursting with flavor. After browning the thighs on both sides, you cook them in the pressure cooker for 7 minutes. The gravy is a delicious bonus too! Just add cornstarch to thicken it and pour over each chicken thigh when serving.

    Ingredients:

    • boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • lemon
    • garlic
    • chicken stock
    • Italian seasoning
    • olive oil
    • salt and pepper
    Chicken, seasoning and lemons on a white board.

    How to make Lemon Chicken in the Instant Pot?

    • Start by trimming fat off the chicken thighs.
    • Mix oil, lemon zest, seasoning and rub on chicken.
    • Heat up oil in the Instant Pot on saute setting (set to normal).
    • Brown chicken on both sides. Set on a plate.
    Season and brown chicken in the pressure cooker.
    • Add half chicken stock. Scrape any cooked-on bits from the bottom of the pot. Add remaining stock.
    • Place trivet in the pressure cooker. Arrange chicken on the trivet.
    • Close the lid, press "manual" or "pressure cook" and set timer to 7 minutes.
    • Once the cooking cycle is done, press "cancel/off" and let the IP release pressure naturally.
    • Open the lid away from your face and remove chicken onto a plate. Remove trivet.
    • If you want to make gravy, mix cornstarch with water and add to liquid in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Stir until it thickens or simmer on saute setting.
    • Serve chicken with gravy.
    Cooked chicken thighs in Instant Pot.

    Can I use chicken breast in this recipe?

    Absolutely! You can use 2 chicken breasts, cut lengthwise. Follow the recipe as written below.

    Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?

    Yes! If you are using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, you will need to add more minutes to cooking time. I suggest setting the timer for 12 minutes.

    Storing:

    Any leftovers should be store in a container with lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days.

    What to serve with this chicken dinner?

    I love to serve this dish with mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower. Rice or pasta works perfectly too! Any vegetable side dish pairs wonderfully with this chicken. Here are some of my favorites:

    • Roasted Asparagus
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Perfect Caesar Salad
    • Sauteed Spinach
    • Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
    • Quick Radish Salad
    Chicken thighs in a white bowl.

    More Instant Pot chicken recipes:

    • Chicken Marsala
    • Sweet Garlic Chicken
    • Chicken Thighs with gravy
    • Chicken Cacciatore

    For more recipes using the digital pressure cooker, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category.

    Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

    Chicken thighs in the Instant Pot with lemons.

    Instant Pot Lemon Chicken

    Author: Anna
    This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken is an easy and affordable weeknight dinner made with chicken thighs, lemon and garlic. The chicken is juicy and flavorful and the whole dish is done in under 30 minutes!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    natural pressure release 7 mins
    Total Time 24 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 199 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 5 to 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • 1 lemon zested and juiced
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 cup chicken stock

    Instructions
     

    • Start by trimming fat off the chicken thighs.
    • In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, seasoning and rub on chicken.
    • Heat up oil in the Instant Pot on saute setting (set to normal).
    • Brown chicken on both sides. It won't be cooked through. Set on a plate.
    • Add half chicken stock to the Instant Pot. Scrape any cooked-on bits from the bottom of the pot. Add remaining stock and lemon juice.
    • Place trivet in the pressure cooker and arrange chicken on top.
    • Close the lid, switch the pressure valve to "sealing" position (newer models do it on their own). Press “manual” or “pressure cook” setting and set timer to 7 minutes. Make sure the IP is set to cook at HIGH pressure.
    • Once the cooking cycle is done, press “cancel/off” and let the IP release pressure naturally.
    • Once the pressure pin drops, open the lid away from your face and remove chicken onto a plate. Remove trivet.
    • If you want to make gravy, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and add to liquid in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Stir until it thickens or simmer on saute setting.
    • Serve chicken with gravy.

    Notes

    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 403mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Geri says

      October 24, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      This is a must try recipe! The flavors blend together so good. The fresh lemon zest and juice make the chicken taste so bright and yummy. It takes so few common ingredients, but the flavor is unbelievable. The gravy is very delicious. It only takes a few minutes to thicken. After I made it , I dropped the chicken in it. I used bone in chicken thighs, after browning I set my IP for 15 min. The meat was so tender! We toasted some rustic ciabatta bread to dip the gravy in. Beans and cabbage go so good with the chicken. My teenagers told me is their favorite chicken recipe! This recipe will go on the very front of my cookbook. Can't wait to try some more of your recipes Anna. Thank you for making our dinner a great celebration 🎉
      Just trust me everyone it's a must try recipe with the gravy😀

      Reply
    2. Dawn says

      February 24, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      Hi. If I want to use more these just 2 chicken breasts, how do I adjust the time and just double ingredients?? Thanks.

      Reply
    3. Peggy says

      February 05, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      Planning on making this tonight, unfortunately, the type of seasoning is missing from the recipe. Is it poultry seasoning?
      5 to 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
      1 lemon zested and juiced
      2 teaspoons olive oil
      1/2 teaspoon salt
      1/4 teaspoon black pepper
      1/2 teaspoon ????
      2 teaspoons minced garlic
      1 tablespoon olive oil
      1 cup chicken stock
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 05, 2021 at 7:22 pm

        Hi Peggy! It should say Italian seasoning. I am not sure why it's not showing. Can you send me a screenshot to my email?

        Reply
    4. Julie says

      June 02, 2020 at 4:31 pm

      Could I make this with frozen chicken breasts? If so, how should I adjust the time?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 05, 2020 at 11:44 pm

        Hi Julie! If you use frozen chicken, you won't be able to brown it. The flavors won't be the same. The cooking time would be at least 14 to 16 minutes.

        Reply
    5. Astra says

      June 01, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Can i cook it in a crock pot?

      Reply
    6. Sue says

      June 01, 2020 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night. It was very tasty and we both liked it. I’ll make it again. The gravy was so good too!

      Reply
    7. Sue says

      May 25, 2020 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      I made this last evening for supper. We really enjoyed the subtle taste of lemon. The gravy was so delicious too! Thanks!

      Reply
    8. Susan says

      May 24, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      The photo looks like there are red peppers or something else not on the ingredient list. Is the ingredient list complete?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 24, 2020 at 10:35 pm

        Nope, no red peppers here. It's the browned garlic, lemon zest and seasoning.

        Reply
    9. Ashley F says

      May 22, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      We love how easily chicken is to cook in the Instant Pot! So tasty and delicious!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 23, 2020 at 10:48 pm

        Exactly! Thanks, Ashley!

        Reply
      • Kathy says

        July 12, 2020 at 10:51 pm

        Hi! This sounds great! But why do you put the chicken on the trivet? Can you just place it in the liquid and pressure cook? Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Chelsea says

      May 22, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of our favorite weeknight dinners! So simple and so delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 23, 2020 at 10:48 pm

        Thank you, Chelsea!

        Reply
    11. Trang says

      May 22, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is just what I need! I've been making lemon chicken on the skillet and then in the oven and it's been a bit time consuming and messy. Love how easy this Instant Pot recipe is!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 23, 2020 at 10:48 pm

        It's the best! Thanks, Trang!

        Reply

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    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

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