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You only need a few ingredients to make these succulent Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken thighs! It’ll be your new favorite Instant Pot chicken recipe.
How’s everyone’s week been?
I think I jinxed myself a little last week by thinking to myself that we were settling nicely into a new “normal”. It didn’t feel all that abnormal to be only at home, only with each other. But then this week happened…
Among other things, Wally got a hold of a Sharpie pen and proceeded to scribble all over the wall, and then everyone else he felt like scribbling. In case you were wondering, Sharpie does not come off the wall. Commence the painting.
On the same day, someone tried to steal our truck from the back alley! In the middle of the day, in broad daylight. The alarm went off and Etienne ran outside, but unfortunately the culprit had run away, leaving us with $300 in damage to the door handle and lock. OH, and also Wally colored himself in red lip chap.
So, my friends, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, in need of a break, and back to wishing I could take my kids somewhere public, to play with other kids and blow off some steam.
BUT, I will persevere.
AND I will continue to bring you delicious, easy dinner recipes. Like these lemon garlic chicken thighs!
What are lemon garlic chicken thighs?
Simply put, these chicken thighs are an Instant Pot chicken recipe that consists of moist, succulent chicken thighs served with a creamy, garlicky, lemony sauce. It also happens to be keto and low-carb friendly, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless and skinless, depending on your preference.
Other than the chicken thighs, for this recipe you’ll need:
- garlic powder, salt and pepper
- unsalted butter
- garlic (3 cloves)
- lemons (juice and zest)
- chicken broth
- cornstarch and water to thicken
How do you make lemon garlic chicken thighs?
Start by rubbing some seasoning into your chicken thighs to ensure they’re super flavorful! I like to include lemon zest in the rub to really get that lemon flavor to pop. Heat up some olive oil in your Instant Pot, then brown the chicken thighs for a few minutes. Remove them to a plate, and be sure to scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Melt the butter, then add the garlic, juice of a lemon and the chicken broth. Continue to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add the lemon zest, then place the chicken thighs back into the pot. Cook on high for 6 minutes, allowing things to release naturally for 2 minutes. If you’re using bone-in chicken thighs, cook for 7 minutes instead.
Once you take that lid off, you can serve the chicken immediately, or you can thicken up the sauce a bit with some cornstarch mixed into water. This is what I prefer! Plate the chicken, then serve it on top of a bed of rice or veggies, spooning some of that delectable sauce on top.
What do you serve these chicken thighs with?
I love, love the lemon garlic sauce all over some crisp green beans, but you could also serve this over rice, quinoa or some veggies. Or try some of my favorite sides:
Whatever you choose for your side, you’ll love the star of the show. These lemon garlic chicken thighs are so good!! I hope you give them a try.
And let’s hope next week is a little less crazy.
Cheers!
And some other easy dinner ideas for you:
PrintInstant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
You only need a few ingredients to make these succulent Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken thighs! It’ll be your new favorite Instant Pot chicken recipe.
Ingredients
- 6–7 chicken thighs*
- 1 lemon, juice and zest (divided)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- optional: 1 tsp cornstarch (+2 tsp water)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, and combine together the zest of 1/2 the lemon, the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Rub the seasonings into the skin of the chicken thighs.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and add the olive oil. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes, then add the chicken, skin (meaty) side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until browned. Use tongs to remove the thighs to a plate.
- Add the butter and allow it to melt, then add the minced garlic, followed by the lemon juice and chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the bits that might be stuck to the bottom of the pot. Turn the Instant Pot off, and add the chicken thighs back into the pot. Close the lid of the Instant Pot, being sure the valve is turned to sealed. Cook the thighs on high pressure for 6 minutes (7 for bone-in). The Instant Pot will take 10 minutes or so to come to pressure before starting the countdown. Once the timer beeps, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 2 minutes before performing a quick release for the remainder of the steam.
- Remove the lid, and either serve immediately, or turn the Instant Pot to saute and stir in the cornstarch slurry, stirring to allow the sauce to thicken up. Serve over rice, vegetables or just on their own!
Leftover chicken and sauce can be kept in an airtight container, in the fridge, for 3-4 days.
Notes
*You can use boneless, skinless or bone-in, skin-on. If using bone-in, increase cooking time to 7 minutes.
Recipe originally adapted from The Recipe Critic.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: instant pot
- Cuisine: american
I say it every time I see a recipe like this….I need to get an Instant Pot! You can’t beat chicken thighs – so tender! And the lemon makes them extra delicious!!
Yes you do, Annie! I love my Instant Pot and I wish I hadn’t waited to so long to get one 🙂 Thanks my friend!
Sorry you had such a rough week Katherine. I’m not sure what would make me cry more – damage to our vehicle or sharpie walls?! Thankfully it’s almost the weekend. I suggest you get your hubby to make this tasty chicken, make yourself one of those margs you shared the other day and find time to relax this weekend. It’s Mother’s Day weekend after all. You deserve it! 😉
I know, it was a double whammy that day. Thanks Leanne – I definitely got to relax today and wind down from that full-moon week we had! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
These chicken thighs look fantastic! And that lemon sauce looks incredibly delicious as well, I will definitely be putting that over everything single thing on the plate! And I’m so sorry to hear about this week, I really hope next week will be full of blessings to make up for it.
Thank you Catherine! The lemon sauce is amazing, we’re big fans of it!! I have high hopes that next week will be much better. Cheers my friend!
Oh noooooo! Well, I hope next week is better for ya…it has to be! What you need is a nice relaxing weekend 😉 This chicken and perhaps a glass of vino would be lovely! You can’t go wrong with lemon, garlic and chicken, if you ask me! Delish, my friend!
It definitely has to be. I have high hopes for it! Thanks Dawn, I’m currently enjoying a glass of wine as we speak! Happy weekend!
You need a break! I hope next week will be calmer. Scary about the car and that it happened in broad daylight! This looks like a fantastic dinner, and I love all the side suggestions!!
It was unsettling for sure, but thankfully it was just a bit of damage and everyone is ok! Thanks Thao!!
I hope that next week goes a lot better, Katherine! You deserve a little R&R and pampering! Happy Happy Mother’s Day!
You’re definitely making me want an instant pot, Katherine! This chicken looks SO juicy!
Thank you Marissa! I was lucky enough today to have a very relaxing day, and I barely had to lift a finger 😉 You should definitely consider an IP Marissa, we love ours! XO
Oh no Katherine! What a week! I guess if we didn’t have a bad day once in a while, we wouldn’t appreciate the good ones, right? This meal…never met a chicken thigh dinner I haven’t loved, and this one will be no exception. Can’t wait to give your recipe a try! Hope you have a better week this week!
That’s a great way to think of it, Mary Ann! I’ve certainly enjoyed these past couple of days – nothing crazy! Chicken thighs really are the best, aren’t they? Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!!
Oh girl!!! What a week! Hopefully you can have a relaxing Mother’s Day! Definitely pinning this one as Mr. two sugar bugs absolutely loves chicken thighs!! Sending love and hugs!
Such a crazy week! Thanks girl! If your hubby loves chicken thighs he will definitely dig into this recipe. It’s great!!
Where in the recipe do you add the lemon juice? I don’t see that part.
Hi Regina! Thanks for the heads up on that, I’ve fixed it now. You add the lemon juice along with the chicken broth. Sorry about that!
Hi,
Do you brown both sides or the chicken? Or just one side?
Thanks!!!
Hi Joyce! Just one side, the skin side (if your thighs have skin)!