Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken (Printable Recipe)

Tender chicken and orzo in a creamy lemon-Parmesan sauce, cooked straight from frozen in your Instant Pot.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Base Aromatics

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 8 oz button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
03 - 1 shallot, thinly sliced
04 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)

→ Pasta & Liquid

05 - 8 oz orzo pasta (about 1⅓ cups)
06 - 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - Zest of ½ lemon plus juice of 1 lemon

→ Protein & Finishing

08 - 2 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
09 - 8 cups baby spinach (about 6 oz)
10 - ¼ cup heavy cream
11 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Set a 6-quart Instant Pot to High Sauté. Add butter and let melt. Add mushrooms with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and liquid has evaporated, about 5-6 minutes.
02 - Stir in the shallots and thyme. Cook until shallots are softened, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Do not stir. Gently shake the pot if needed to evenly distribute orzo.
04 - Place frozen chicken breasts on top of the orzo, not submerged. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
05 - Secure the lid. Set to Pressure Cook on High for 10 minutes.
06 - Allow 10 minutes natural release, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure. Open lid cautiously.
07 - Remove chicken and slice or shred. Stir spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan into the orzo. Let sit 2-3 minutes to wilt the spinach and thicken the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with sliced chicken.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Don't stir after adding the broth and orzo to prevent burning. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot after sautéing to release any stuck bits.
02 - For juicier chicken, try slightly larger frozen breasts (7-9 oz) or use fresh/thawed breasts and reduce pressure cook time to 7-8 minutes.
03 - Arborio rice or small pasta shapes like elbows can substitute for orzo, though texture will vary and rice may overcook slightly.
04 - Reduce lemon zest by half or omit entirely if you prefer a milder lemon flavor.
05 - Half and half, light cream, or oat milk work as cream alternatives.

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