Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
Bright, buttery, and brimming with zesty flavor, this Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe is a weeknight dinner hero that truly delivers. In just 30 minutes, you get tender, ultra-juicy chicken bathed in a luscious lemon-garlic sauce that tastes like you’ve been braising all afternoon. This dish brings together the comforting richness of butter with the sunny freshness of lemon, creating an irresistible balance that keeps everyone reaching for seconds. Whether you’re making a speedy meal for the family or trying to impress weekend guests, this Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe turns pantry staples into a glorious main course you’ll want on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of simple ingredients can transform into such a flavorful, crave-worthy meal. Each component in this recipe does its part—some add zing, others richness, and together they create a colorful plate you’ll love digging into.
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs are wonderfully juicy and soak up the sauce, but bone-in thighs work too with a little more cook time.
- Salt: Essential for drawing out the chicken’s savory flavor—don’t skip it!
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth that contrasts beautifully with the lemony brightness.
- Garlic Powder: Gives subtle depth; a perfect base seasoning for chicken.
- Olive Oil: Used for searing, it helps the chicken get that irresistible golden edge.
- Unsalted Butter: The star for richness, melting into the sauce for velvety body and flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for punchy aroma—fragrant and essential!
- Chicken Broth: Builds the base of the sauce, adding savory depth without overpowering the citrus.
- Lemon (juice and zest): The bright, tangy heart of the dish; zest intensifies the lemony aroma.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that complement lemon and chicken perfectly.
- Fresh Parsley: A fresh finishing touch that brightens the plate and pops with color.
How to Make Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by generously seasoning your chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on all sides. This quick step ensures every bite is packed with flavor and sets the stage for that irresistible savory goodness throughout the Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Press Sauté on your Instant Pot and add the olive oil. When it’s shimmering hot, lay in the chicken thighs in batches. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side until they’re lightly golden and fragrant. Don’t rush this—you want those lovely browned bits for flavor! Set the chicken aside as you finish each batch.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Add the butter straight into the pot. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for just 30 seconds. Now pour in the chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Use your spoon to gently scrape up all those caramelized bits; this magic is what gives the sauce its depth in the Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the sauce so they’re nearly submerged. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to Pressure Cook (Manual) on high for 8 minutes if you’re using boneless, or 10 minutes for bone-in. This hands-off step keeps the chicken exceptionally juicy while infusing it with all those bright flavors.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
After the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining steam. Remove the chicken and hit Sauté again to let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Spoon the gorgeous sauce over the chicken, then scatter with fresh parsley and serve right away!
How to Serve Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
Garnishes
A generous shower of chopped fresh parsley brings pops of green and a hint of herbal brightness to the Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe. For extra flair, add a few slices of fresh lemon on the side to let folks squeeze even more citrusy goodness onto their plate.
Side Dishes
This lemony butter sauce absolutely begs for a starchy side to soak up every precious drop. Serve over tender rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a twirl of al dente pasta—the choice is yours. For a lighter plate, try with steamed asparagus or roasted green beans.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling fancy? Plate each chicken thigh on a pillow of whipped mashed potatoes and drizzle with extra sauce. Or make open-faced sandwiches by piling the lemon butter chicken and sauce onto slices of toasted sourdough for a rustic, comforting twist on this delightful Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, let any leftover chicken and sauce cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will keep beautifully for up to 3 days—just enough time for a lunch upgrade or a quick repeat dinner!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe for future meals. Place cooled chicken and sauce in freezer-safe bags or containers (removing as much air as possible) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce together in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra broth if the sauce looks too thick. Microwave reheating is quick, too—just be sure to loosely cover to lock in moisture and prevent splatters.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work well but watch your cook time: reduce the pressure cooking to 6-7 minutes to keep them juicy. The texture will be a little less rich but still deliciously infused with lemon-butter flavor.
How can I make the sauce creamier?
Add a splash of heavy cream after pressure cooking when simmering the sauce on Sauté mode. It thickens and mellows the citrus for a velvety finish that’s irresistible in the Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe.
Can I double the recipe in my Instant Pot?
As long as you don’t fill past the “Max Fill” line, doubling is a breeze! Sear the chicken in batches for the best browning and note it may take a bit longer to come to pressure with a larger volume.
What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
No need to panic! Mix together dried basil, oregano, thyme, or parsley—whatever you have on hand works. The blend will still highlight the bright lemon flavors in the dish.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not at all—the flavor profile is more bright and buttery than hot. If you love a touch of heat, feel free to sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauté step!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a comforting meal that’s exceptionally fast yet guaranteed to impress, don’t miss this Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe. Simple ingredients, zesty flavors, and that irresistible buttery sauce—there’s a reason this will become your go-to chicken dinner. Give it a try and watch it disappear from the dinner table in no time!
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Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a delicious weeknight meal. The combination of zesty lemon, savory garlic, and rich butter creates a mouthwatering sauce that pairs perfectly with tender chicken thighs.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode, add olive oil, and sear the chicken thighs until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add butter to the pot, sauté garlic, then add chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, and Italian seasoning. Return chicken to pot.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Allow natural release, then quick release.
- Finish and Serve: Switch to Sauté mode, simmer the sauce, then serve chicken topped with sauce and parsley.
Notes
- Delicious over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.
- For bone-in thighs, increase pressure cook time to 10 minutes.
- Add cream to sauce for a richer version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
