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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

by Traci · Published: 01/23/2023 · Updated: 01/23/2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

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5 from 8 votes
1 hour 10 minutes

Instant Pot whole chicken pressure cooks a mouthwatering dinner in an hour! Deliciously seasoned and so juicy, it tastes like it was roasted in a rotisserie.

whole chicken on serving board with parsley and lemon garnish
Table of Contents hide
1) Why you'll love this recipe
2) Ingredient notes
3) How to cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot
4) How to brown the chicken skin
5) Is it faster to pressure cook whole chicken?
6) How long to cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot
7) Recipe tips
8) Recipe variations
9) Must-have sides for chicken dinner
10) Recipes that use chicken leftovers
11) More Instant Pot dinner ideas
12) Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Why you'll love this recipe

  1. minimal ingredients - You only need the chicken and a few spices to make a deliciously seasoned chicken dinner.
  2. 4 easy steps - Toss chicken seasoning together, coat the chicken, lower it into the cooker, and press a button.
  3. quicker than roasting - You can pressure cook whole chicken in nearly half the time it takes to roast.
  4. perfectly cooked - This recipe gives you the exact steps to cook poultry to the proper temperature without overcooking.
  5. crispy skin option - I've included a few simple methods to make the chicken look like it came from a rotisserie.
  6. makes great leftovers - Grab my list of chicken recipes below to turn your pressure cooked whole chicken into family-loved dinners.

Ingredient notes

Ingredients amounts are listed in the printable recipe below.

  • whole chicken - Usually weighs between 3 to 6 pounds. My chicken is 5 pounds and the 6-quart Instant Pot easily accommodates this, as you'll see in my photos below.
  • olive oil - Or other cooking oil
  • paprika - I used sweet paprika for this recipe. Use hot paprika for a spicy kick.
  • granulated garlic - I recommend this over garlic salt since we're adding salt to this chicken seasoning.
  • salt and black pepper
  • chicken broth - or plain water
Instant Pot whole chicken ingredients measured and ready to use

How to cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot

Enjoy these step-by-step photos with abbreviated instructions. You'll find the expanded recipe instructions in the printable recipe card below.

Step 1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Whisk OLIVE OIL, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, and PEPPER in a mixing bowl. Coat the whole chicken with this mixture.

Chicken seasoning is whisked in glass mixing bowl
Season whole chicken on trivet next to bowl of chicken seasoning

Step 2. Add the broth or water to the Instant Pot and place whole chicken on the trivet inside the cooker. Secure the lid and pressure cook whole chicken on HIGH for 30 minutes, then allow a 15-minute natural pressure release (NPR).

Season for chicken on trivet in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot lid is in position for pressure cooker cycle

Step 3. Once the lid is off, confirm an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer inserted next to the breast bone. Note: The chicken will reach the minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit through carryover cooking during final steps.

pressure cooked whole chicken on trivet in the Instant Pot

Step 4. Transfer cooked chicken out of the Instant Pot and proceed with optional crisping instructions (see footnotes). Then rest the chicken for 5 minutes to lock in moisture.

Note: You'll end up with about 2 cups of liquid gold that can be used for pan-dripping gravy or other recipes, if desired.

chicken drippings in Instant Pot next to whole chicken in pan

How to brown the chicken skin

The Instant Pot steams whole chicken, so pressure cooking, by itself, does NOT produce crispy skin. If you want a crispy, roast chicken experience (who doesn't), visit the recipe card below for browning instructions using an additional appliance. You can see in the photo below how a quick 10 minutes under my air fryer lid makes the skin so crispy and mouthwatering – rotisserie style!

whole chicken on serving board with parsley and lemon garnish

Is it faster to pressure cook whole chicken?

Yes! In fact, whole roasted chicken takes nearly two hours in a regular oven. But, in one hour, the Instant Pot makes juicy, perfectly cooked chicken that tastes like it was roasted in a rotisserie, especially if you brown the skin.

How long to cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot

Chicken sizes vary, so 6 minutes per pound is a calculation to gauge how many minutes it should take to pressure cook any whole chicken. To do this, multiply weight by 6 and use this number to set your pressure cooker. My 5-pound chicken requires 30 minutes of pressure cooker time, which doesn't include the 15-minute natural pressure release.

IMPORTANT: The ultimate indicator of properly cooked chicken is when a meat thermometer inserted next to the breast bone indicates a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe tips

  • There is no need to rinse raw, whole chicken. Doing so only contaminates kitchen surfaces. Adhering to a use-by date and cooking chicken to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is the most effective way to kill bacteria.
  • A trivet with hinged handles makes it easier to lower and raise the chicken in and out of the pressure cooker.
  • I recommend adhering to the recipe weight/time calculation for pressure cooker whole chicken to prevent overcooking the breast meat. Once chicken becomes the opposite of juicy, the Instant Pot won't reverse it.
  • There is no reason to flip the chicken over at any point while it's in the pressure cooker. In fact, leaving chicken breast-side up preserves the integrity and appearance of the skin.

Recipe variations

  • Substitute the chicken seasoning in this recipe with Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or make your own blend. The sky is the limit!
  • Stuff the chicken cavity with lemons or oranges for fresh aroma subtle citrus flavor in your chicken.
  • Chicken broth can be substituted with plain water and you'll still get juicy and delicious results.
  • I do not recommend adding vegetables to whole chicken in the cooker – unless your goal is to make overly soft veggies.

Must-have sides for chicken dinner

Instant Pot mashed potatoes are well-loved and so easy to make! You can make ahead or, if you have two pressure cookers, make potatoes in one cooker and chicken in the other. Make gravy with the chicken drippings or make gravy without drippings while your chicken cooks. Make it a full meal with this healthy kale salad or strawberry salad.

Recipes that use chicken leftovers

Turn your rotisserie style chicken and mashed potatoes into a everyone's favorite chicken shepherd's pie. If you love rice, use roast chicken for this chicken fried rice recipe or make a comforting, creamy broccoli chicken and rice entree.

More Instant Pot dinner ideas

  • Instant Pot Pulled Pork
  • Instant Pot Corned Beef
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
  • Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti
whole chicken on serving board with parsley and lemon garnish

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Instant Pot whole chicken pressure cooks a mouthwatering dinner in an hour! Deliciously seasoned and so juicy, it tastes like it was roasted in a rotisserie.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 10 minutes
Pressure cooker total time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 10 servings
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 1 (5-pound) Whole Chicken, or other size
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ¾ teaspoon Sea Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth, or plain water

Instructions
 

  • Prep WHOLE CHICKEN by removing any giblets from the cavity and patting surface dry with paper towels.
  • Whisk OLIVE OIL, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, and PEPPER in a mixing bowl. Coat the whole chicken with this seasoning mixture.
  • Add BROTH or water to the Instant Pot and set whole chicken on the trivet inside the cooker.
    *Note: Increase liquid to 2 cups for 8 or 10 quart pressure cooker.
  • Close and lock lid. Set pressure release valve to "Sealing" position.
  • Select "Manual" or "Pressure cook" on HIGH pressure for 30 minutes, or 6 minutes per pound. (Note: The pot takes 15 minutes to pressurize)
  • When pressure cooker cycle is complete, let the Instant Pot sit undisturbed for a 15-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
  • Turn pressure release valve to "Venting" position to release remaining steam, then carefully open the cooker.
  • Insert a quick-read thermometer next to the breast bone to confirm a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (it will reach 165 degrees during carryover cooking).
  • Transfer cooked chicken out of the Instant Pot and proceed with optional crisping instructions (see footnotes) before serving, if desired.
  • Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes to lock in moisture.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

RECIPE VIDEO

Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Notes

* To make the skin brown and crispy (2 options)
  • Air Fryer Lid: Follow manufacturer instructions on your cooker to connect the lid. Broil the chicken breast-side up for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or longer as needed.
  • Oven Broiler or Air Fryer Oven: Set whole chicken breast-side-up on a baking sheet and broil to desired crispness.
To store, allow chicken to cool completely and refrigerate in airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days in freezer-safe packaging.
You can save the drippings and make gravy or make gravy without drippings while your chicken is in the pressure cooker.

Equipment

  • paper towels
  • measuring cup and spoons
  • small mixing bowl
  • wire whisk
  • pastry brush (optional)
  • trivet for Instant Pot
  • 6 quart Instant Pot or other size
  • oven mitts
  • broiling device (optional) oven, air fryer oven, or air fryer lid

NUTRITION

Serving: 0.3pound | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 252IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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Comments

  1. Michelle says

    January 24, 2023 at 7:39 am

    5 stars
    This was delicious. Even my picky eaters enjoyed it! Adding to my monthly rotation.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 24, 2023 at 8:50 am

      Yayy! So glad you enjoyed it and I love when the picky ones approve 🙂 Thanks so much! Enjoy!!

  2. Dannii says

    January 24, 2023 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    What a great way to cook a whole chicken. So quick and easy too.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 24, 2023 at 5:43 am

      Yes!! I really can't believe how easy it really is LOL. Thanks so much. Enjoy!

  3. Charla says

    January 23, 2023 at 11:47 pm

    5 stars
    I've always been intimated by cooking a whole chicken in the IP, but your guidelines seem so straight forward that I am willing to try it.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 24, 2023 at 5:45 am

      I'm so glad to hear it! That's my goal with this one because it IS intimidating, but not with the Instant Pot. It practically cooks itself. Thanks and enjoy!!

  4. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    January 23, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    What a great idea. This will be great for using the chicken in lots of dishes throughout the week as well as a roast dinner.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 24, 2023 at 5:46 am

      Yes exactly! I love to use roast chicken leftovers in so many other dishes. Thanks so much. Enjoy!

  5. Jeff says

    January 23, 2023 at 9:44 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! You're not kidding about how hands-off this is! I already loved the Instant Pot before I cooked a whole chicken in it – now I'm completely sold! I love how the IP does all the work and how juicy this chicken is. Boom!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 24, 2023 at 5:46 am

      Yes! This is the recipe where whole chicken practically cooks itself LOL. It's truly hands-off once it's in the cooker. I'm so glad you love this one. Thanks and enjoy!

  6. Jen says

    January 23, 2023 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    I made this to use the chicken for homemade chicken noodle soup and it worked great! Much faster than roasting it in the oven!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Traci and I'm sharing my easy recipes with everyday ingredients, simple instructions, and ALL the flavor. Read more about me.

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