Description
This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts recipe is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned, seared, and cooked under pressure with a zesty lemon garlic sauce infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of heat from red chili flakes and Sriracha. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3-4 skinless chicken breasts (or slice 2 chicken breasts horizontally)
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Sauté the Chicken: Turn on the Instant Pot to the Sauté function (Normal setting). Add olive oil to the insert. Place the chicken breasts in the pot and sear each side for 2 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside. Work in batches if needed.
- Prepare the Sauce: Melt butter in the Instant Pot insert. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring until fragrant. Pour in lemon juice to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Cook for 1 minute, then add Italian seasoning, red chili pepper flakes, Sriracha, and low sodium chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the Instant Pot, nestling them in the sauce. Close the lid and set the valve to SEAL. Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode and set the timer for 7 minutes. Wait for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and cook.
- Release Pressure and Serve: Once cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 2-3 minutes. Then carefully turn the valve to RELEASE to release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid and transfer chicken to plates. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemon juice and freshly minced garlic.
- Adjust red chili flakes and Sriracha amount to control heat level according to preference.
- To keep chicken moist, do not overcook; adhere closely to pressure cooking time.
- You can slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets that cook faster.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
