Instant Pot Rustic Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Rustic Garlic Chicken is a quick and easy pressure cooker recipe with whole garlic cloves, chicken thighs and a homemade gravy that you’ll want to lick off the plate.

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Instant Pot Rustic Garlic Chicken

Sometimes the best dinners are the simplest. That is the case with this Instant Pot garlic chicken dish. This creamy garlic chicken recipe is super fast and easy and it is full flavored with lots of protein. Don’t worry that it will taste too “garlicky” the garlic flavor is sweet and subtle. The peeled garlic cloves are browned in a little oil and it brings out the rustic flavor. This chicken and gravy tastes wonderful served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles or even a side of fresh bread. You’ll definitely want something to sop up all that addicting gravy! 

What’s in Rustic Garlic Chicken?

• 1 Tbsp olive oil–to brown the garlic cloves
• 1 head of garlic, broken into cloves and peeled–because it’s garlic chicken!
• 1 cup chicken broth–to bring the pot to pressure and as a base for the gravy
• 3 Tbsp white vinegar–for a splash of acidity
• 1 bay leaf–to flavor the gravy
• 8 small to medium boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)–you can also use bone-in chicken pieces (same cooking time) or breasts. If you use breasts they won’t turn out as tender but will still taste good. 
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme–for flavor
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary–for flavor
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt-for flavor
• 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper–for flavor
• 2 Tablespoons melted butter–to make the gravy
• 3 Tbsp flour–to thicken the gravy

Garlic Chicken Instructions

1. Saute the peeled garlic cloves: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and the garlic cloves. Saute for about 3 minutes, until the garlic starts to brown. Turn off Instant Pot.
2. Add in ingredients: Pour in the broth and vinegar. Add in the bay leaf, chicken, thyme rosemary, salt and pepper. 
3. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
4. Mash garlic cloves: Use tongs to place the chicken on a plate. Use a potato masher to mash the garlic into the gravy.
5. Make a roux: Stir the flour into the melted butter a little at a time until it is creamy and smooth. Stir a half cup of the broth from the pot into the butter/flour mixture and whisk until smooth. 
6. Thicken gravy: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Scrape the butter/flour mixture into the pot and whisk well. Let the flour thicken the gravy a bit and cook out the raw flour taste. Then cancel off the saute setting.
7. Enjoy: Serve the chicken with gravy over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. This tastes great over mashed potatoes or egg noodles or rice.  

Tips 

• I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can also use your 3 or 8 quart pot. 
• You can buy pre-peeled garlic cloves. I usually see them jarred in the produce section. I have also seen them in a big package at Costco. 
• I haven’t tried this recipe with minced garlic. However you can probably make this recipe if you only have a jar of minced garlic. I would use 3 Tbsp of minced garlic and saute it for only 30 seconds in the oil so that it doesn’t burn. 
• For bone-in chicken, boneless thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts you will use the same cooking time of 12 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release. For chicken tenders only pressure cook for 5 minutes. Use the same times for frozen chicken.
• If you’d rather you can use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy instead of flour. Combine equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Then add the mixture into the gravy and saute until thickened. 
• Serve this chicken and gravy alongside a carbohydrate and a side of steamed broccoli or some other steamed veggies

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More quick and easy, tender chicken recipes

Instant Pot Apple Cider Chicken–A tangy cider glaze gives the chicken and sweet potatoes a sweet and savory finish.

Instant Pot Chicken a la King–a rich, creamy sauce with chicken and vegetables.

Instant Pot Man Pleasing Chicken–the easiest chicken recipe that will please your family’s taste buds!

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Vegetables–-bites of chicken, carrots, green beans and potatoes in a sweet and savory sauce. An easy dump and go, one pot meal.

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.