Creamy Lemon Chicken with Steamed Broccoli

Serves 6 in about 30 minutes. Tsp thyme leaves goes in first, and rice finishes the pot.

Ingredients

• 3-4 chicken breasts (or boneless thighs)
• ½ tsp salt (to season chicken)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 sm onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1-2 tbsp corn starch
• 1-2 tbsp cold water
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 8-10 oz cooked pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Cooked rice
• Steamed broccoli

Method

1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning both sides of each breast with salt and pepper. keep it nearby.
2. Turn the pot on Sauté setting. When the display reads "Hot" add the olive oil, then the chicken. You may need to brown the chicken in two batches.
3. Simmer chicken for about 2 minutes per side (to get some color), then remove to a plate.
4. Tip in the butter and onion to the pot. Cook, while stirring now and then and scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Use a little of the broth if it's hard to get the bits up.
5. Stir in the garlic and thyme. Simmer for 30 seconds, while stirring the whole time.
6. Stir in the broth, lemon juice, and salt. Mix well.
7. Cancel the Sauté setting.
8. Set the chicken in the pot and close the lid. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
9. Press the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button and then the + or - button to choose 7 minutes. When cook cycle ends, let the pot naturally release pressure for 7 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to Venting.
10. When the pin in the lid drops, open the lid and using tongs, remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
11. Turn on the Sauté setting again. Stir the corn starch and water together and when the sauce starts to simmer, stir into the sauce. Mix the sauce as it thickens.
12. Turn off the Sauté setting and stir in the lemon zest and the heavy cream.
13. Slice the chicken breasts and add the chicken back into the pot.
14. If you want to, transfer to a serving dish. Then serve.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.