You’ve found the best and easiest Instant Pot whole chicken recipe. This recipes for cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot takes less than 45 mins and produces a moist and flavourful rotisserie style chicken – total perfection.
Suitable for Gluten Free, Paleo, Keto, Low Carb and Whole 30 diets. Weight Watchers points included.
This Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is a super easy weeknight supper. On the table in just about 45 mins and it is soooooo good.
And the chicken broth you’ll create from this pressure cooker whole chicken is so, so flavourful. Use it for soups, stews, or even for cooking up more Instant Pot Chicken. Yeap, you can have a ‘chicken cooking marathon’ day and cook up all sorts of chicken dishes one after another.
The beauty of Instant Pot Whole Chicken is that it is also extremely versatile. Pair it with a simple green salad for a quick and healthy supper. Or serve it as the main course for a special occasion, such as Easter Sunday brunch.
Whether you dress it up or down, it is truly delicious either way.
Cook an Instant Pot whole chicken, save the stock, then cook Instant Pot chicken breast or Instant Pot Chicken Thighs in your lovely stock. Time saving, problem solving… pretty awesome.
Have a regular pressure cooker but not an Instant Pot? I’ve included a section with modifications to make regular pressure cooker chicken. (Or you can buy an Instant Pot here and be very, very happy.)
No pressure cooker at all? If you don’t have a pressure cooker of any kind, I’ve included a few non-pressure cooker whole chicken recipes below so you can still make a delicious chicken supper tonight. (See above note about Instant Pot and happiness.)
Instant Pot owners, are you ready to make amazing whole chicken? Soooo am I. Let’s get started.
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe Materials
KITCHEN TOOLS, UTENSILS & APPLIANCES NEEDED
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my disclosure.
Here are some of the items you will need to make this recipe.
- 8 qt Instant Pot.
- I use and love the 8 qt, extra Instant Pot Insert & sealing ring.
- 3 qt Instant Pot or 6 qt Instant Pot depending on family size.
- Trivet.
- Tongs.
- Measuring jugs or cups.
- Measuring teaspoons.
- Bowls with covers.
- For storing your leftover food.
- Meat thermometer
- Use please this awesome thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
How to Make This Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe in 8 Simple Steps
There are a lot of modifications that can be made to this whole chicken recipe – changing the seasonings, cooking from frozen (yeap, you can throw a whole, frozen chicken in the Instant Pot) – but if you want a done-for-you perfect Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe, here it is. (For modifications, keep reading.)
- Step 1. Mix spices, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 2 tbsp chicken stock to create a paste.
- Step 2. Rub the paste all over the chicken, including in the cavity.
- Step 3. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn it on the sauté setting. Brown whole chicken on each side (about 4 mins each side). Remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
- Step 4. Add the rest of the chicken stock to the Instant Pot, and scrape any bits that were stuck to the bottom of the pot from frying.
- Step 5. Insert trivet and add the whole chicken to the top of the trivet.
- Step 6. Cover Instant Pot, move valve to sealing position, and select the manual setting. Make sure the pressure is set to high and set timer for 25 mins.
- Step 7. Let the steam release naturally, about 10-15 mins, before opening.
- Step 8. Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a thermometer (guidelines are that the meat is done when the internal temperature reaches at least 74C (165 F). If the temperature is right, let the chicken rest for 10 mins before serving. If it hasn’t reached the ideal temperature, cook for a further 5 mins.
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Why Use A Natural Pressure Release?
Allowing for a natural pressure release (NPR) is the best way. Your Instant Pot whole chicken will smell amazing and you may find yourself tempted to push the steam valve over and do a quick release (‘buuuuuut it’s just a few minutes, how bad can it be?’)… but you really, really shouldn’t.
Not only will a natural pressure release lock in the moisture, but the cooking continues during a natural release. A quick release will require a longer time under pressure.
Tips For Making Rotisserie Style Chicken in The Instant Pot
- Make sure the chicken fits inside your Instant Pot. What size whole chicken will fit? This recipe calls for a 1.75kg (3.85lb) chicken, which easily fits inside a 6 qt Instant Pot. If you want to cook a chicken that is over 5lb, you will need to move up to the 8 qt Instant Pot.
- To reduce the time it takes for your chicken to get to pressure, preheat the liquid first in the inner pot using the sauté setting on high. Do this before you place the lid on the Instant Pot and before you select the manual setting. (This is a life-changing Instant Pot tip.)
And even more tips….
- Cook your whole chicken breast side down. Flipping the chicken and cooking it with the breast side facing down (where the majority of the meat resides) will ensure that tender white meat stays perfectly moist and juicy.
- Do remember to check the internal temperature of the chicken using an awesome Meat thermometer .
How To Get Extra Crispy Skin?
The sauté step in this recipe will give your whole chicken a nice brown finish. But if you are looking for that extra crispy skin you get with your Instant Pot rotisserie chicken just follow these steps:
- Cook the whole chicken in your pressure cooker following the steps in this recipe.
- Once cooked, take the rotisserie chicken out and place it on top of a baking sheet.
- Coat the chicken skin with oil or butter, then broil for 2-4 mins, making sure to keep a close eye on it (you don’t want your delicious chicken to burn!).
Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe Variations
This easy pressure cooker whole chicken recipe really is sooooo versatile. It works perfectly as is, or you can follow any of the tips below to suit your preferences and needs. Because no recipe is truly perfect until it’s perfect for you, right?
The seasonings and cooking liquid can be changed for a different flavour. Do whatever makes you happy here. Add more seasonings, change them altogether, or use a different cooking liquid. A few ideas:
- For Mexican flavour, cover the chicken in salsa before cooking.
- Cook your whole chicken with orange juice or pineapple juice instead of using chicken stock.
- Swap out the herbs and spices. Try cajun or creole seasoning, smoked paprika, or harissa spice mix.
The browning step is awesome, but it can be skipped. Browning the chicken adds amazing flavour to this main dish, but sometimes you need your ‘Instant’ Pot to be a bit more instant. I
f you need a faster Instant Pot whole chicken, then simply skip the browning step.
For and even juicier pressure cooker whole chicken, don’t use the trivet. If you want to make extra juicy chicken, cook the chicken directly in the stock and do not place on top of the trivet.
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Instant Pot Whole Chicken With Lemon
Want to literally infuse your chicken with even more amazing flavour? One fantastic variation of this recipe is making Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Lemon.
Simply stuff the chicken cavity with the following ingredients, then cook as directed:
- one whole lemon, quartered
- one medium onion, quartered
- 3-5 garlic cloves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Indian Flavour
Cooking your Instant Pot Whole Chicken Indian style gives it a wonderfully bold and complex flavour. To make it, simply create an Indian spice dry rub using 1 tsp each of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and garam masala. Then coat the whole chicken with the rub, place it in the Instant Pot and cook according to this recipe.
Cooking Time For Instant Pot Whole Chicken (Fresh)
Here’s a handy guideline for cooking a fresh whole chicken in the Instant Pot: for each .5kg (1 lb) of chicken, add 6 mins of cook time.
- So for a 1.36kg (3lb) chicken, set the cook time for 18 minutes.
- So for a 1.8kg (4lb) chicken, set the cook time for 24 minutes.
- So for a 2.25kg (5lb) chicken, set the cook time for 30 minutes.
After the chicken is finished cooking, allow for a natural pressure release of 15 mins and then check for doneness.
Important Food Safety Tip: It is critical to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. The chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches at least 74C (165 F).
How to Cook a Frozen Chicken in The Instant Pot
Cooking a whole frozen chicken in the Instant Pot? Yeap, it can be done. It’s also safe to do – unlike putting a whole frozen chicken in a slow cooker. (Peeps, do not do that unless food poisoning is your idea of ‘fun.’)
The ability to cook a whole frozen chicken (or any frozen meat) in no time at all is one of my favourite features of the Instant Pot. I am all for meal planning, but the Instant Pot makes it quite tempting not to meal plan ever again.
Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken Time Per Pound (From Frozen)
When pressure cooking a whole chicken from frozen, I recommend the following: for every .5kg (1lb), you add 10 mins of cook time (e.g., 2.25kg chicken for 50 mins). And always, always allow for a natural pressure release with a frozen chicken.
- So for a 1.36kg (3lb) chicken, set the cook time for 30 minutes
- So for a 1.8kg (4lb) chicken, set the cook time for 40 minutes
- So for a 2.25kg (5lb) chicken, set the cook time for 50 minutes.
After the chicken is finished cooking, allow for a natural pressure release of at least 15 mins and then check for doneness.
And I’ll say it again folks: you must check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. A whole chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches at least 74C (165 F).
How To Freeze Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Yeap, you can store a fully-cooked Instant Pot Whole Chicken in the freezer to thaw and reheat at a later time. Just follow these easy steps for safely freezing your whole chicken:
- Let the chicken cool completely, then wrap well in plastic wrap.
- Place the wrapped chicken inside a large gallon-size Ziploc freezer bag.
- Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bag.
- Label the bag and then place on shelf the freezer, making sure no other items are touching. Once it is completely frozen, it can be stacked with other frozen items.
- Your Instant Pot whole chicken can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Regular Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken – How To
This recipe is also suitable for regular pressure cooker whole chicken if you don’t have an Instant Pot. Use a large skillet or pot to brown the chicken on the stove, then prepare chicken as instructed before putting it in a pressure cooker.
Next, bring the pressure cooker up to pressure, then lower the heat to a point where the pressure can be maintained. Cook for 15-20 mins under pressure*, then turn off the heat and allow the pressure to reduce naturally.
And voila – you have regular pressure cooker whole chicken!
*Note that electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot cook at a lower pressure than regular pressure cookers. Regular pressure cookers cook a bit faster (but you have to babysit them, so it’s a bit of a trade-off).
Can You Make Instant Pot Bone Broth with Whole Chicken?
You can certainly make bone broth using the leftover whole chicken carcass. You would add this to your instant pot, along with broth making veggies and seasonings, and select manual or pressure cook (depending on your IP model) cook at high pressure for 2 hours. Allow a natural pressure release and strain the chicken bone broth before using or storing.
How to Use Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken Broth
You’ve created an extra flavourful pressure cooker chicken broth, so put it to good use. Use this liquid gold to make a quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Soup. You can also store your chicken broth it in an airtight container in the fridge and add it as stock to all sorts of different recipes.
You can even use the chicken broth to cook up more chicken! Cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, save the chicken broth, then cook Instant Pot chicken breasts or Instant Pot chicken thighs in using the very same liquid. This is a great meal prep solution and an excellent time saving trick.
Whole Chicken in the Oven – Try This Recipe
No pressure cooker at all? Try my Nutmeg Orange Chicken recipe (also suitable for Keto, Paleo, and Whole 30 dieters).
Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker – Try This Recipe
If you prefer to use your slow cooker then try this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe (also suitable for Keto, Paleo, and Low Carb and Gluten-free diets). It is filled with lots of tips
What to Serve with Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken
Pair your delicious Instant Pot Whole Chicken with any of the following:
- Instant Pot Rice
- Mexican Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Instant Pot Cheesecake (a healthier chicken dinner + a decadent cheesecake… why not??)
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Meal Prep Ideas
Instant Pot Whole Chicken is an ideal meal prep ingredient. Since it stays fresh and tasty stored in the fridge all week long, you can use it to make all sorts of wholesome meals. Here are a just few of my favourites:
- Flavourful Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Amazing Healthy Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Easy Chicken Chilli
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Meal Prep Storage Solutions
There are soooooo many different meal prep storage solutions out there. However, these are the ones I tend to reach for again and again when tackling my weekly meal prep.
- Glass Meal Prep Containers with 1 and 2 Compartments – containers with more than one compartment are so great for taking your meal prep food with you. And having lots of single compartment containers on hand is exactly what you need to get ahead with weekly meal prep. I love using these glass meal prep containers because they are freezable, microwavable, and dishwasher safe.
- Reusable sauce cups with lids – the 1-ounce size fits right inside the larger glass containers and keeps your food from getting soggy. Use these cups to hold salad dressings, fat free yoghurt, salsa, and dips.
- Insulated Lunch Bag – pack up your glass container, sauce cups, and utensils in this handy, easy to carry bag and head out the door!
Instant Pot Chicken Marinades
Looking for some easy chicken marinade recipes? Then check out these 7 Chicken Marinades. Just double the recipes to make enough for the whole chicken.
More Recipes Like Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Love this Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe? Then you’ll definitely want to check out these other amaaaaaazing Instant Pot main course cuisine recipes:
- Instant Pot Curry Chicken.
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- The Best Recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
- Instant Pot Pot Roast.
There you have it, folks. A super easy Instant Pot whole chicken recipe. Easy and soooo good.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving.
If skinless, a serving contains 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints (yeap, zero!).
Thank you for reading my IP Chicken Recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you.
Previously published Feb 2018.
Recipe Video
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The Easiest Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe {Paleo, Keto, Whole 30, Gluten Free}
Ingredients
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp mixed herbs (Herbes de Provence)
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp oil divided
- 235 ml fat-free chicken stock divided (117ml if using 6qt Instant Pot)
- 1.75 kg whole chicken giblets removed, washed and patted dry
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together the paprika, garlic, ginger, coriander, herbs, nutmeg, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp. chicken stock into a paste.
- Put the chicken in a bowl and rub the paste all over including in the cavity.
- Select the sauté setting of the Instant Pot, add in the oil and when hot brown the whole chicken on both sides (about 4 mins on either side).
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot, and set aside on a plate.
- Add the remaining chicken stock into the instant pot, and scrape any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot from frying with a silicon or wooden spoon.
- Place the trivet inside before adding the chicken on top of the trivet.
- Cover your Instant Pot and set the valve to the SEALING position.
- Select the manual setting or pressure cook, make sure the pressure is set to high and set the timer to 25 mins.
- Cook till done then let the steam release naturally about 10-15 mins before opening.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 mins before serving.
- Make sure you check the internal temperature of the chicken using a Meat thermometer (guidelines state meat is done when the internal temperature reaches at least 74C (165 F)). You can recook for a further 5 mins if not.
Thanks for the recipe, but what is your method to flip the bird over and then also to remove it from the pot to add the stock? I had a difficult time with these steps grappling the bird with wooden spatulas. Next time I might just pour in the broth and not remove/scrape after browning.
I used a slotted slightly wide silicone spatula and tongs but I removed the liner from the pot so it’s easier. Set it on the neck then let it slide down. It was much easier
I have whole chicken and I have to cook it this morning in a hurry before leaving for vacation. Thank goodness for the instant pot — it’s the only way I can possibly get this done! And thank you for the excellent tips. My question was when to use the trivet…and you answered without my having to even ask!
The chicken was absolutely delicious. I didn’t have ginger or herbs d’provence, but used poultry seasoning which had all but the lavender. The meat literally fell off the bone, and the broth has so much flavor. This is a keeper. Thanks.
What an informative post! I kept expecting to scroll to the recipe but kept finding more and more information. That’s so awesome! You even answered my main question, what about that crispy skin? I’m so indecisive about getting an instant pot, idk what’s wrong with me haha
This is brilliant! I’ve never considered putting a whole chicken in an instant pot. Thank you for the inspiration! Can’t wait to try. Also, loving all the different flavor ideas!
seriously 25 minutes? I am sold! I have to make this chicken. I pretty sure i can even teach the boyfriend to make it for me. This is perfection! pinned!
Your chicken looks perfectly done! I can’t wait to try this recipe in my Instapot! I had no idea it browned so well or I would have made chicken in it months ago. Definitely saving your recipe to make at a later date.
Looks so delicious. Amazing how you achieved such a beautiful skin on the chicken!
I just bought my instant pot first dish was chicken n dumplings. They were amazing. I can’t wait to try this recipe for a whole chicken. Thank you for explaining exactly what to do. I must admit I was a little nervous about using mine last night. But now that I have, this Instaant Pot is going to change my life in the kitchen. You can truly fill it, set it and walk away. Btw I used the natural release it was perfect!