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Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs


  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Description

A quick and zesty meal featuring tender chicken thighs infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs (about 8, bone-in or boneless, skinless)
  • 2 large lemons (zested and juiced)
  • 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, for sweetness)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, and oregano.
  2. In your Instant Pot, set it to ‘Sauté’ mode and add olive oil.
  3. Once hot, sear the chicken thighs on both sides for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove them from the pot and set aside.
  4. Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey (if using).
  7. Nestle the chicken back into the pot, ensuring it’s coated with the zesty sauce.
  8. Secure the lid, set the valve to ‘Sealing,’ and cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ for 8 minutes if using boneless thighs or 12 minutes for bone-in.
  9. After cooking, allow for a 5-minute natural release, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
  10. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate. If desired, set the Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté’ and let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes to reduce.
  11. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra lemon zest, and add red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or a vibrant salad. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.

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

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: chicken, instant pot, lemon, quick dinner, family meal