Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts

overhead shot of lemon garlic chicken breasts in the instant pot with lemon slices

4.91 from 52 votes

Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts

Instant Pot creamy lemon chicken breasts get a restaurant- quality dinner on the table in under 30 minutes! Juicy chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy lemon parmesan cream sauce. Low carb and gluten-free.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Time to pressurize5

Total Time30

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free

Servings:

Calories: 271kcal

Author: Denise Bustard

Equipment

6 Quart Instant Pot

Ingredients

½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic minced
1 cup chicken stock
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts see note 1

AFTER REDUCING SAUCE:

2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
¾ cup heavy cream see note 2

Instructions

Assemble- In the stainless steel insert of your Instant Pot, add the stock, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Stir until combined, then add chicken breasts. Turn to coat in the sauce.
Cook- Place the lid on your Instant Pot and set the steam release handle to the 'sealing' position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. When the Instant Pot completes its cycle, perform a quick pressure release: carefully transition the steam release handle to the 'venting' position.
Transfer chicken- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and use an instant read thermometer to check that your chicken breasts have reached 165°F. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and allow to rest on a cutting board.
Reduce sauce- Select the 'sauté' function of the Instant Pot, and allow cooking liquids to simmer for 7 or so minutes. When liquids are reduced to about ⅓ of a cup and you can see the bottom of the pot as you stir, they are ready.
Use oven mitts to remove the stainless steel insert from the base of the Instant Pot so it doesn't over-reduce, then stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese.
To serve- Slice the chicken against the grain, and spoon the sauce over the chicken to serve.

Video

Notes

1- Adjusting the recipe:

To increase the serving size- drag the number beside 'serving size' above on the recipe card. Keep the cook time the same.
To swap for boneless chicken thighs- adjust the cook time to 10 minutes high pressure with quick pressure release
To swap for frozen chicken breasts- for frozen separately (not in a block)- 12 minutes high pressure with quick pressure release; check they have reached 165°F
- frozen in a block- cook for 5 minutes, then do a quick pressure release. Pry chicken breasts apart. Cook for another 7-10 minutes with quick pressure release, and check they have reached 165°F.

2- Look for a cream with 33-36% fat; if you're in Canada, use 'whipping cream'. Milk or almond milk will not work for this recipe.

Storage

Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Heat in a frying pan, or in the microwave until steaming hot, and sauce has loosened up a bit.

Freezer Instant Pot Meals

Make sure to label your container with cooking directions.

In a freezer bag, silicone bag or meal prep container, combine the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, garlic and chicken stock.
Add the chicken breasts, turn to coat in the sauce, then squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw completely before cooking as directed above.

Instant Pot size- this recipe has not been tested in an 8 quart Instant Pot. If you try it, drop us a comment below!

Nutrition