Preparing a delicious meal can often feel like a daunting task, especially on busy weeknights. But with the Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs, you can turn dinner into a simple and quick endeavor. This recipe is a favorite in my kitchen for its vibrant flavors and the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of the chicken. Perfectly zesty and savory, this dish is sure to impress your family or guests. Plus, it’s versatile enough for various occasions – whether you’re hosting a family dinner or whipping up something special for a weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love Making It

So, what sets this Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs recipe apart? For starters, it’s packed with fresh, bright flavors that awaken your taste buds. The zesty lemon paired with savory garlic and herbs creates a delightful contrast that elevates the chicken.

This dish is perfect not only for its taste but also for its convenience. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal. With minimal prep time and a cooking process that takes under 30 minutes, you’ll be savoring this dish in no time.

"I made this for my family dinner, and everyone raved about the flavor! The chicken was juicy and tender, and I loved how easy it was to make. It’s definitely going into our regular rotation!" — Satisfied Cook

Your Easy Cooking Guide

Making Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs is a breeze. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:

You’ll start by seasoning and searing the chicken for that golden-brown crust.
Next, the zesty lemon, sautéed garlic, and chicken broth come together to create a savory sauce.
After combining the ingredients, the Instant Pot does its magic, tenderizing the chicken to juicy perfection.
Finally, you’ll finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for garnish.

In just a few straightforward steps, you’ll have a delicious meal that tastes as good as it looks!

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Gather Your Ingredients

For this mouthwatering recipe, you’ll need the following:

2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skinless)
2 large lemons (zest and juice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Feel free to swap the honey for maple syrup if you’re looking for a different sweetener. And if you prefer, you can also replace fresh parsley with cilantro for a unique twist!

Step-by-Step Directions

Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
Sear the Chicken: Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat the olive oil. Once hot, add chicken thighs to the pot, skin-side down if using skin-on. Sear them for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown, then remove and set aside on a plate.
Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey if you’re using it.
Pressure Cook: Return the chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Secure the lid, set the valve to ‘Sealing,’ and cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ for 8 minutes (boneless) or 12 minutes (bone-in).
Release Pressure: After cooking, allow for a 5-minute natural release before performing a quick release of any remaining pressure.
Serve or Thicken Sauce: Carefully transfer the chicken to a serving platter. For a thicker sauce, you can set the Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté’ and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh parsley and additional lemon zest. If you’d like, sprinkle red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

Tips for Serving

This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it over fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. You might also enjoy it alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad to balance the meal.

For a special touch, serve the chicken on a large platter garnished with lemon slices and sprigs of parsley. This not only adds visual appeal but also invites your guests to dig in!

Best Way to Store Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs

If you find yourself with leftovers (if you can believe it!), store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for a quick weeknight meal that’s just as tasty as when you first made it.

Pro Chef Tips

Marinate for Added Flavor: Allow the chicken to marinate in the lemon juice and seasonings for a few hours or overnight before cooking. This deepens the flavors remarkably!
Alternative Cooking Methods: If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can also make this dish in a slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
For Extra Crispiness: If you prefer crispy skin, you can use the broiler for the last couple of minutes after pressure cooking to achieve the perfect texture.

Creative Twists

Feeling adventurous? Try adding different herbs like thyme or rosemary for a unique flavor profile. For a spicier kick, incorporate jalapeños or fresh chili peppers into the sauce. Additionally, you can swap out the chicken for other proteins like fish or tofu for a vegetarian twist.

Your Questions Answered

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but chicken breasts will cook faster, requiring less time in the Instant Pot – about 6-8 minutes on high pressure.

2. What can I substitute for honey?
Maple syrup or agave syrup work well as alternatives if you’re looking for a vegan option.

3. How long does this dish last in the fridge?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to cooking, this Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs recipe is bound to become a staple. Full of flavor, easy to prepare, and perfect for any occasion, it deserves a spot on your dinner table!

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs

Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free

Description

A quick and delicious dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with zesty lemon and garlic in the Instant Pot.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skinless)
2 large lemons (zest and juice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Prep the chicken by patting the thighs dry and seasoning them with salt, pepper, and oregano.
Sear the chicken in the Instant Pot set to ‘Sauté’ mode with olive oil for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
Sauté minced garlic in the pot for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and stir in lemon juice, zest, and honey if using.
Return the chicken thighs to the pot, secure the lid, set to ‘Sealing’, and cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ for 8 minutes for boneless or 12 minutes for bone-in.
After cooking, allow for a 5-minute natural release before quick releasing any remaining pressure.
Transfer the chicken to a platter. If desired, thicken the sauce by simmering in ‘Sauté’ mode for 2-3 minutes and serve over the chicken, garnished with parsley and additional lemon zest.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Marinate chicken for deeper flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pressure Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Instant Pot, Chicken, Lemon, Quick Dinner, Easy Recipe