Instant Pot Whole Chicken

whole chicken on serving board with parsley and lemon garnish

5 from 13 votes

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.

Prep Time10

Pressure cooker total time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Dinner Recipes, entree

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Calories: 250kcal

Author: Traci

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

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!

Video

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.

Nutrition