Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Every family needs that go to weeknight dinner that can feed everyone happily and be on the table in under an hour. 

This Lemon Garlic Chicken in the Instant Pot is one-pot magic! Simple ingredients; but together they are packed with flavour and zest! 

Adapted from The Recipe Critic, Kelly Kwok.
  

•  6-8 boneless chicken thighs (skinless or with skin) 
  
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste divided 
  
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
  
• 2 tablespoon olive oil 
  
• 3 tablespoon butter divided 
  
• 1/2 small onion, chopped 
  
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced 
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 
  
• Juice and zest of one lemon 
  
• 1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth
• Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish, if desired 

 
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with the salt and pepper.   
  
Using SAUTÉ  function on More (push Sauté button again to change between Less, Normal and More), heat the oil in the inner pot. Add the chicken and brown well on all sides to seal in juices and keep it tender. This may need to be done in batches, depending on the size of the pieces.  Transfer to a plate once done. 
  
Turn the SAUTÉ function down to Less and let the inner pot cool down slightly.  
Melt butter in Instant Pot and stir in the onions and garlic. Add lemon juice to deglaze pan. Cook for 1 minute then add Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and chicken broth. 
 
Place the chicken pieces back into the Instant Pot, secure the lid, and turn the valve up to SEAL. 
 
Select POULTRY pre-set and adjust the time to 7 minutes. It will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure and start counting down. 
 
When done, allow a Natural Pressure Release for 5 minutes then Manually Release the remaining pressure. When valve drops, open the lid and carefully remove the chicken pieces. 
 
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite sides. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with lemon slices, if desired. 
 
 If you want to thicken the sauce – first remove the chicken pieces. Then make a corn starch slurry using 1 teaspoon of corn starch whisked with 2 teaspoons cold water and stir in the Instant Pot. Press SAUTE and allow to bubble and thicken up.