Name: Instant Pot Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes); 1 tsp kosher salt; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 2 Tbsp olive oil (divided); 2 Tbsp minced garlic; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 Tbsp butter (melted); Fresh parsley or thyme (for garnish)

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Need a quick, flavorful dinner your family will love? This Instant Pot garlic chicken is the perfect weeknight staple! Aromatic garlic and tender chicken come together for a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. For more Instant Pot favorites, try our healthy chicken, bone-in chicken breast, or chicken tenders.

When I first made this Instant Pot garlic chicken, I wasn’t sure if it could deliver restaurant-quality flavor so fast—but one bite proved me wrong. Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken with rich garlic flavor? Absolutely sold. If you're feeling down, just eat this. Trust me, it helps. For more easy meals, try our frozen chicken crock pot or Blackstone chicken breast.

This instant pot garlic chicken recipe requires minimal prep work but delivers maximum flavor. The pressure cooking method ensures that every piece of chicken is tender and infused with the delicious garlic seasoning, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You'll Love About This Recipe

Quick and effortless - From start to finish, this meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
Flavor-packed - The combination of fresh garlic and savory spices creates depth of flavor that tastes like it took hours to develop
Versatile - This chicken works beautifully as a main dish, in pasta, on salads, or in wraps for easy meal prep throughout the week

Recipe Ingredients

This instant pot garlic chicken recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that create an extraordinary flavor combination:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
Kosher salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Black pepper
Smoked paprika
Olive oil
Fresh minced garlic
Chicken broth
Butter
Optional fresh herbs for garnish

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken thighs vs. breasts - While both work beautifully in this recipe, thighs tend to stay more tender and juicy in the pressure cooker. If using breasts, you may want to reduce the cooking time by 1 minute.
Fresh garlic - Don't substitute garlic powder for the minced fresh garlic in the sauté step. The fresh garlic creates a more aromatic and complex flavor base that's essential to this dish.
Smoked paprika - This adds a subtle smoky depth that elevates the entire dish. Regular paprika works in a pinch, but the smoked variety really makes the flavors pop.

How to Make Instant Pot Garlic Chicken

For the complete recipe with exact measurements, scroll down to the printable recipe card. Here's a quick overview of how to make this delicious instant pot garlic chicken:

instant pot garlic chicken - mix ingredinets with chicken

instant pot garlic chicken - chicken on instant pot

Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and coat with seasoning mixture and olive oil
Sauté fresh garlic in olive oil using the Instant Pot's sauté function
Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom
Add seasoned chicken to the pot
Pressure cook for 5 minutes, followed by 10 minutes natural release
Stir in melted butter and garnish before serving

Pro Tips

For the absolute best instant pot garlic chicken, follow these simple tips: Allow your Instant Pot to fully preheat before adding the oil and garlic to prevent sticking. Don't skip the step of deglazing the pot with broth after sautéing the garlic—this prevents the dreaded "burn" notice and captures all that wonderful flavor. Finally, the natural release period is crucial for tender chicken, so resist the urge to quick-release immediately.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration - Store leftover instant pot garlic chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing - This chicken freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing in portion-sized containers for easy meal prep solutions.
Reheating - For best results, reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth, or microwave at 70% power with a damp paper towel covering the chicken to retain moisture. Learn more about how to store and reheat Instant Pot chicken dishes.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

Add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms when sautéing the garlic for an earthy flavor dimension
Stir in ½ cup heavy cream after cooking for a rich, creamy sauce
Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes before pressure cooking for a burst of acidity and color
Mix in 2 cups of fresh spinach after cooking (while still hot) for added nutrition

Substitutions:

Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth or white wine for a different flavor profile
Swap butter for coconut oil to make this recipe dairy-free
Use Italian seasoning instead of the individual spices for a different flavor direction
Substitute chicken with firm tofu (adjust cooking time to 2 minutes) for a vegetarian version

FAQs About This Instant Pot Garlic Chicken

Why is my chicken tough in Instant Pot?

Chicken can become tough if overcooked or if quick release is used immediately after cooking. Allow for a natural release of at least 10 minutes to ensure tender meat.

How long should you cook chicken in an Instant Pot?

For cubed chicken as in this recipe, 5 minutes at high pressure with a 10-minute natural release is perfect. Whole chicken breasts typically need 8-10 minutes, while bone-in pieces require 10-12 minutes.

Can you cook chicken in sauce in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! The Instant Pot is excellent for infusing chicken with sauce flavors. Just ensure your sauce isn't too thick to prevent the "burn" notice, and add dairy components after pressure cooking.

What Can I Serve With This Instant Pot Garlic Chicken?

This versatile instant pot garlic chicken pairs beautifully with so many sides! Try serving it over fluffy rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious garlic sauce. It's also wonderful alongside roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or with pasta for a complete meal.

If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below or tag me in your food photos on social media. Your feedback helps me create even better recipes for you!

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