If you're looking for a healthy and tasty chicken breast recipe that comes together quickly and easily, you've come to the right place!
This dish has freshly steamed asparagus and the Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Breast is covered with a thick and creamy lemon sauce. It's all made in your Instant Pot using just one pan! It can't get much easier than that!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Juicy and Tender: The Instant Pot ensures perfectly cooked, succulent chicken every time.
- Bright and Creamy: The lemon brings a refreshing zestiness, balanced by the creamy sauce.
- Effortless Elegance: This dish offers sophisticated flavors with minimal prep and cooking time.
📋 Ingredients
You have two separate sets of ingredients. The first is for the Chicken breast and the second for the creamy lemon sauce.
Ingredients For The Chicken Breast
- Basil: Adds a sweet, peppery flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the chicken.
- Garlic Powder: Provides a robust, aromatic element that complements the chicken's natural flavors.
- Onion Powder: Gives a mild, sweet onion flavor that adds depth to the dish.
- Oregano: Imparts a warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with the lemon and chicken.
- Parsley Flakes: Contribute a fresh, slightly bitter note that balances the richness of the dish.
- Chicken Breasts: The main ingredient, lean and tender, they absorb the flavors of the herbs and lemon beautifully.
- Red Pepper Flakes: An optional ingredient, adding a spicy kick to contrast the creamy, tangy sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a strong, pungent flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Chicken Stock: Adds a rich, savory base to the creamy sauce, making the chicken more flavorful.
- Asparagus/Vegetables: Adds color, texture, and nutritional value, complementing the creamy chicken.
- Fresh Lemon: Adds a bright, tangy note that cuts through the creaminess and enhances the overall flavor.
Ingredients For Creamy Lemon Sauce
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is best!
- Parmesan Cheese: This is 28g in weight or just under 1 oz.
- Heavy Cream: This is needed to make the sauce thick and creamy. If you don't want to use heavy cream then add either some olive oil, chicken stock or chicken broth instead.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Greek Yogurt Substitute for Cream: Replace the cream in the recipe with Greek yogurt for a tangy and slightly lighter alternative, maintaining the creamy texture while adding a different flavor profile.
- Lime Instead of Lemon: Experiment with lime zest and juice instead of lemon for a citrusy twist. This substitution brings a unique flavor while maintaining the bright and zesty essence in your creamy chicken dish.
- Add Garlic: Add garlic powder to create an Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken variation.
- Add Parsley: Add fresh parsley to your Instant Pot Chicken recipe for bright and fresh flavors.
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Lemon Chicken?
- Step 1: Add to your instant pot your Italian seasoning, Red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and chicken stock. Whisk together.
- Step 2: And your chicken breasts in a single layer to your instant pot. Coat them in the stock mixture, and then flip to the other side so that they are evenly covered.
- Step 3: Close the lid on your Instant Pot and close the ceiling valve. Pressure cook on high for 12 minutes, followed by a quick release. Remove your cooked chicken breast. Set aside.
- Step 4: Turn your Instant Pot on to sauté mode. Allow it to heat up, which should take about two minutes. Add in the rest of your ingredients: heavy cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to reduce and simmer for about seven minutes. Serve your chicken, and use the sauce to pour over each breast.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Zest and Juice Balance: To achieve a vibrant lemon flavor, balance the use of both lemon zest and juice. Add freshly grated lemon zest for a burst of citrus aroma and use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright and tangy taste.
- Cream Addition Timing: To prevent curdling, add the cream towards the end of the cooking process. Once the chicken is cooked through, stir in the cream and let it heat through without boiling to maintain a smooth and luscious texture in your creamy lemon chicken breast.
💭 FAQs
Asparagus cooks super fast in an Instant Pot and you only need to build up the pressure for this superfood to be cooked. In fact, if you set your Instant Pot to zero, the asparagus will be cooked by the time the pot has come to pressure. All you need to do then is release the pressure as a quick release and serve with your creamy lemon sauce and chicken.
This is a super versatile recipe and you can use any meat of your choice. We have used chicken breast but you could try this recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. You will need to adjust the timing for cooking from 12 minutes to 14 minutes in order to get perfectly cooked chicken.
Yes, you can use a stove top instead of the Instant pot to cook your creamy cheese lemon sauce. Simply use a pot large enough to fit the ingredients and saute over the stove.
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Breast recipe with asparagus is very versatile. You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or even drumsticks if you prefer them over white meat. For a dairy free alternative just replace the cheese with olive oil or avocado oil and omit the cream.
Allow creamy lemon chicken breast to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Label the container with the freezing date. Freeze for up to 2-3 months to maintain optimal quality.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve lemon chicken breast with anything you like:
- You can try parmesan Asparagus, cheesy asparagus, Steamed Green Beans, Broccoli Salad or a green salad if you want to keep it light. Don't forget to make sure everyone gets their fair share of lemon sauce!
- If you're looking for carbs, add some Instant Pot Rice or mash to the side. We have a great instant pot Mashed Potatoes recipe or you may want to serve with a Loaded Baked Potato. I personally love this creamy lemon chicken dish with mashed potatoes!
This Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breast Recipe is easy and delicious. It's a keeper! Enjoy!
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breast With Asparagus
Ingredients
- tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 4 tablespoon Garlic minced
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 2 Chicken Breasts
Ingredients For The Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ⅛ Cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly Grated
- ¾ Cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Add to your instant pot your Italian seasoning, Red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and chicken stock. Whisk together.
- Add your chicken breasts To your instant pot. Coat them in the stock mixture, and then flip to the other side so that they are evenly covered.
- Close the lid on your Insta pot and close the ceiling valve. Set your instant pot on high pressure for 12 minutes. Once the timer is done, do a quick release by bringing the sealing valve towards you.
- Remove your chicken. Set aside.
- Turn your instant pot on to sauté mode. Allow it to heat up which should take about two minutes. Add in the rest of your ingredients: heavy cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese.
- Allow the sauce to reduce and simmer for about seven minutes.
- Serve your chicken, and use the sauce to pour over each breast. Add more or less to your liking. Enjoy!
Notes
- Zest and Juice Balance: To achieve a vibrant lemon flavor, balance the use of both lemon zest and juice. Add freshly grated lemon zest for a burst of citrus aroma and use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright and tangy taste.
- Cream Addition Timing: To prevent curdling, add the cream towards the end of the cooking process. Once the chicken is cooked through, stir in the cream and let it heat through without boiling to maintain a smooth and luscious texture in your creamy lemon chicken breast.
Nutrition
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