Instant Pot Lamb Chops

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This Instant Pot Lamb Chops recipe is tender and juicy, just like braised lamb chops, but in much less time!

We are loving these pressure cooker lamb chops in our house! They’re sweet, savory and spicy, and the addition of chickpeas and broth essentially makes it a one pot meal.

Overhead view of Instant Pot lamb chops in a black bowl garnished with herbs and lemon slices.

Enjoy these chops with a side of crusty bread, or serve them over some coconut jasmine rice!

We love lamb chops prepared in other ways, like these teriyaki marinated grilled lamb chops and these sous vide lamb chops. But, I’ll be honest, this Instant Pot recipe is having a moment in our house right now!

Once you try these lamb chops, be sure to check out some other Instant Pot lamb recipes like these Instant Pot lamb shanks and this Instant Pot lamb curry.

Check out the Instant Pot lamb chops story!

Why this recipe works

This is a time saving recipe! The lamb chops take just 2 minutes to cook on high pressure.
The recipe cooks these lamb chops to medium rare, which results in perfectly juicy, tender chops. There’s no chewy or tough lamb chops around here!
With the addition of chickpeas, this could really be a one pot meal. You can also add some rice or a side salad to make it go further.

Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

You’ll need 1 pound of lamb chops for this recipe. That’s about 4-6 lamb chops depending on their size. You can buy different types of lamb chops such as loin chops or rib chops. Just go with what is readily available at your local grocery store or butcher shop.

The lamb chops are browned in coconut oil. Paired with the coconut milk, this adds a subtle coconut flavor. Feel free to use butter or oil instead.

Speaking of coconut milk, it adds a sweet flavor to the lamb that cools the heat from the harissa paste. You can use light or full fat coconut milk.

Harissa paste is a North African spicy chili paste containing different types of roasted chilies and spices such as caraway, coriander and cumin. It's amazing and we also love it in this spicy chicken pasta!

If you don’t have harissa paste, you can substitute with sriracha or sambal oelek to add some heat.

The recipe calls for a ½ cup of chicken stock. You can use store-bought or make your own like this crockpot chicken broth or Instant Pot chicken bone broth.

You’ll want a can of chickpeas to add to the lamb chops as they cook. Make sure they’re canned and not dried and uncooked. You’ll also need to drain and rinse them well.

Step by step instructions

Season the lamb chops with the salt and pepper and let sit in the fridge, uncovered, overnight.

Heat the coconut oil in the Instant Pot insert on the sauté setting (use a non-stick insert if possible).

Add the lamb chops and brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Lambs chops browning in the Instant Pot insert.

Remove the lamb chops and add the remaining ingredients (except lemon) and stir to combine.

Broth, coconut milk, chickpeas and other ingredients in the Instant Pot.

Add the lamb chops back in, trying to cover them with the sauce as much as possible.

Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.

Release any remaining pressure, remove and serve with fresh squeezed lemon. It's also amazing drizzled with this mint chimichurri!

Close up view of lamb chops and chickpeas in a bowl.

They are also great served with this air fryer halloumi as an appetizer or side dish!

Experts tips

For the best sear, pat the lamb chops dry with a paper towel before browning them in the Instant Pot.
Don’t skip the step of browning the lamb chops first as this helps lock in their juices.
Make sure your lamb chops are roughly the same size in thickness so they cook at the same rate.
Depending on how many lamb chops you’re cooking, you may need to brown them in two batches.
If your lamb chops are overly thick they will take longer to cook. Check for doneness by using a meat thermometer.
If you don’t have a can of chickpeas, feel free to substitute with canned white beans.
Be sure to let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes as the lamb chops will continue cooking during this time.
While the cooking time is just 2 minutes on high pressure in the Instant Pot, you’ll also need to factor in time for pressure to build and release.
I used a 6 quart Instant Pot for this recipe. If you have a larger 8 quart Instant Pot, it will take longer to pressurize.

Lamb chops served in a bowl with chickpeas and lemon slices and herbs on top.

Common questions

Why do you need to season the lamb chops and let them sit in the fridge overnight?

Dry brining helps the lamb chops brown and creates a nice sear. If you’re short on time, you can just let them sit for a few hours.

How do you know when lamb chops are cooked?

Like beef, you can cook lamb to varying temperatures to achieve your preferred level of doneness. For the best flavor and texture, I recommend cooking lamb to medium rare, or about 125F-130F degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Why are my lamb chops tough?

Lamb usually has a tough texture when it is overcooked. That’s why I don’t recommend cooking lamb to well-done. Lamb can also turn out chewy, however, if it is undercooked. I find medium rare is the sweet spot and produces tender and juicy results.

What can you serve with lamb chops?

We love serving these Instant Pot lamb chops with truffle mashed potatoes or Instant Pot basmati rice with a side of sous vide green beans.

Close up view of a cooked lamb chop topped with chopped herbs.

Storage and reheating

You can store leftover lamb chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat, place the lamb chops with any remaining sauce and chickpeas in a shallow baking dish, cover with foil and warm in the oven on 350F degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. If you don’t have any sauce left, you’ll need to add a little broth or water so the lamb doesn’t dry out.

More lamb recipes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!