This Instant Pot garlic butter chicken recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender chicken and a medley of vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce.
It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly from the dinner table, leaving everyone satisfied and asking for seconds. Perfect for busy families, this recipe makes mealtime delicious and stress-free.
Get ready to transform simple ingredients into a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal effort. This Instant Pot creation is designed for ease and maximum taste, ensuring a delightful dinner experience without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Instant Pot garlic butter chicken recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender chicken and a medley of vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly from the dinner table, leaving everyone satisfied and asking for seconds. Perfect for busy families, this recipe makes mealtime delicious and stress-free. Get ready to transform simple ingredients into a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal effort. This Instant Pot creation is designed for ease and maximum taste, ensuring a delightful dinner experience without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken and saute the aromatics: Cut your chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Set your Instant Pot to “Saute” mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2. Deglaze and add chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is crucial to prevent a “Burn” notice. Add the chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the broth.
3. Season the dish: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Do not stir at this point; layering the ingredients helps prevent the burn notice and ensures even cooking.
4. Pressure cook the chicken and vegetables: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
5. Add the vegetables and finish cooking: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Add the broccoli florets and sliced carrots to the pot. Close the lid again, set the valve to sealing, and select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
6. Quick release and stir in creamy elements: After the second cooking cycle, perform another quick release. Open the lid and switch the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode (on low if available). Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
7. Serve and garnish: Turn off the Instant Pot. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the creamy garlic butter chicken and vegetables into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: pressure cooking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: instant pot, chicken, garlic butter, creamy, weeknight, easy, dinner, family, comfort food, one pot
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a game-changer for anyone seeking a delicious, no-fuss dinner solution. It works because the Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, infusing the chicken and vegetables with incredible garlic butter flavor while keeping everything wonderfully tender. It’s perfect for busy parents, new cooks, or anyone who wants a hearty meal on the table fast. Serve it on a bustling Tuesday evening when time is short, or as a comforting Sunday dinner when you crave something warm and satisfying without the extensive prep. The creamy sauce makes it feel indulgent, yet it’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a go-to for family dinners where flavor and convenience are key.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this Instant Pot garlic butter chicken is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way common ingredients come together to create something truly special.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly more forgiving texture. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder can work in a pinch, though fresh is always recommended for the best flavor. Feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a slightly different flavor profile. When it comes to vegetables, frozen broccoli and carrots can be used; just ensure they are added at the appropriate time to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it ideal for those busy weeknights.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes (plus pressure build-up and release time)
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
The Instant Pot significantly cuts down on cooking time, delivering a fully cooked meal in less than an hour, including the time it takes for the appliance to come to pressure and release it.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious Instant Pot garlic butter chicken is a breeze. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the chicken and sauté the aromatics: Cut your chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze and add chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is crucial to prevent a “Burn” notice. Add the chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the broth.
- Season the dish: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Do not stir at this point; layering the ingredients helps prevent the burn notice and ensures even cooking.
- Pressure cook the chicken and vegetables: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
- Add the vegetables and finish cooking: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Add the broccoli florets and sliced carrots to the pot. Close the lid again, set the valve to sealing, and select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Quick release and stir in creamy elements: After the second cooking cycle, perform another quick release. Open the lid and switch the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode (on low if available). Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
- Serve and garnish: Turn off the Instant Pot. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the creamy garlic butter chicken and vegetables into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Instant Pot garlic butter chicken is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces and ensure the broccoli florets are also small. You might also consider adding a touch of mild cheddar cheese along with the Parmesan for a creamier, kid-approved flavor.
If you’re looking to expand the vegetable profile, consider adding sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach during the last few minutes of simmering. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the Italian seasoning.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a bed of egg noodles to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a lighter option, a simple side salad or quinoa works beautifully. It’s also fantastic with crusty bread for dipping. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner, but also elegant enough to serve to guests.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a straightforward recipe like this, a few common mistakes can occur. Being aware of them will help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent issue is getting a “Burn” notice on your Instant Pot. This usually happens when there are food particles stuck to the bottom of the pot, preventing proper pressure build-up. To avoid this, always deglaze the pot thoroughly after sautéing the onions and garlic, scraping up all the browned bits with a wooden spoon before adding other liquids and ingredients. Also, avoid stirring after adding the chicken and seasonings until after the first pressure cooking cycle.
Another common slip-up is overcooking the chicken, which can lead to a dry, rubbery texture. The 7-minute high-pressure cook time for 1-inch chicken pieces is ideal for tender results. If your chicken pieces are larger, you might need to add an extra minute, but generally, less is more with chicken in the Instant Pot.
Finally, adding dairy too early can sometimes cause it to curdle under high pressure. This recipe avoids that by adding the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese after the pressure cooking cycles are complete, during the final simmering stage. This ensures a smooth, creamy sauce without any issues.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Proper storage is key to enjoying your Instant Pot garlic butter chicken leftovers. Once cooled, transfer any remaining chicken and sauce to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, gently warm the chicken and sauce on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through, but be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the chicken. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, you can add a splash of chicken broth or milk while reheating to bring it back to your desired consistency.
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare some components ahead of time to make dinner even faster. You can chop the onion and garlic a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. You can also cut the chicken into pieces ahead of time. However, it’s not recommended to fully cook and then freeze this dish, as the creamy sauce can sometimes separate upon thawing and reheating, and the vegetables might become too soft.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Q: Can I use frozen chicken? A: Yes, you can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. If using frozen chicken, you may need to increase the initial pressure cooking time by 2-3 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the pieces. Ensure they are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
Q: What if I don’t have heavy cream? A: While heavy cream provides the best richness, you can substitute it with half-and-half for a lighter sauce. The sauce might not be as thick or as rich, but it will still be
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
