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–+ servings
Serine Milo

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken

This Instant Pot lemon chicken combines tangy lemon, savory garlic, and a buttery pan sauce, ready in just 30 minutes for a cozy and comforting dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 pieces)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
  • 1 Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for depth
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (slurry) to thicken
  • 2 tbsp cold butter (optional) for glossy sauce
  • Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
  2. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté, add oil or butter, and sear the breasts 2 minutes per side until golden.
  3. Remove the chicken briefly and add minced garlic to the pot, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  5. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and soy sauce, then return the chicken to the pot.
  6. Secure the lid, set to Pressure Cook (High) for 8 minutes for average-thickness breasts (for very thick breasts, bump to 10 minutes).
Cooking
  1. When cook time ends, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick-release the rest.
  2. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely, then switch the pot back to Sauté.
  3. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce bubbles and thickens in 1–2 minutes.
  4. Stir in cold butter for extra sheen and richness, adjusting salt, sweet, or acid balance to taste.
  5. Slice the chicken and spoon sauce over the top, ensuring the chicken remains tender and juicy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g

Notes

Serve over steamed rice, quinoa, or buttery mashed potatoes. For a cozy one-pot option, toss in quick-cooking orzo after pressure cooking.

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