Tender Pressure Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy and Juicy Dinner Idea
A quick and easy pressure cooker recipe for juicy, tender chicken infused with bright lemon and aromatic garlic flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thighs recommended)
- 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried oregano, thyme, and basil)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Set your pressure cooker to the sauté function and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Place chicken pieces in the pot in a single layer. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes to lock in flavor (optional but recommended).
- Pour in 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Arrange thin lemon slices on top of the chicken.
- Seal the lid and set your pressure cooker to high pressure for 8 minutes (reduce to 6-7 minutes if using chicken breasts).
- Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release to release remaining steam.
- Open the lid and stir in 1 tablespoon butter for richness if desired. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for garnish.
- Serve the chicken with the lemon garlic sauce spooned over, paired with vegetables or rice.
Notes
For best flavor, use fresh lemons and garlic. Browning the chicken before pressure cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time. If the sauce is too thin, use sauté mode after cooking to reduce and thicken. Natural pressure release helps keep chicken tender. Butter can be omitted or replaced with coconut oil for dairy-free version. Chicken breasts require shorter cooking time to avoid drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 o
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: pressure cooker chicken, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken