Once you make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, you’ll never want to roast one in the oven again. Pressure cooker whole chicken is a hands-off way to make an amazing meal that comes out fork-tender and perfectly moist every time. This Instant Pot whole chicken recipe has a bit of a kick, but you can use this same method and your own favorite chicken seasonings if you prefer. However you decide to season it up, this is the last recipe you’ll ever need if you’re looking for whole chicken Instant Pot recipes. I originally developed this recipe as part of the Allrecipes Allstars Tastemakers program. Rate, review, and photograph my recipe for Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken on Allrecipes here, or see the full recipe along with some of my cooking tips below (including how long to pressure cook whole chicken by the pound or from frozen, how to modify this recipe for the slow cooker, and more).
How long to cook whole chicken in Instant Pot (How long per pound)
While this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe was written for a 3 1/2 to 4-pound chicken, the rule you should follow for your pressure cooker whole chicken is 6 minutes of pressure cooking time per pound of chicken. That being said, I recommend you try a bird between 3 and 4 pounds to fit nicely into a 6-quart Instant Pot (you can go larger more easily if you’re using an 8-quart pot).
Can I cook this from frozen? How long to pressure cook whole chicken from frozen
Forget to defrost your bird? No problem, as you can also cook an Instant Pot whole chicken from frozen! If you’re wondering how long to pressure cook whole chicken from frozen, set your pressure cooking time to 8 minutes per pound for frozen chicken. Note that it may take longer to reach pressure than the recipe instructions, as you are starting with colder ingredients inside the pot.
Can I make this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe with a larger chicken?
This whole chicken in the Instant Pot recipe was written for a 6-quart pressure cooker, so it calls for a smaller chicken that will fit easily inside the pot. For chickens larger than 4 pounds, add an additional 3 minutes of pressure cooking time for each additional half-pound of weight, and add an additional 1/2 cup of liquid to the bottom of the pot if preparing this in an 8-quart pressure cooker.
Can I make this in a slow cooker instead?
Don’t have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker? This recipe turns out great in a slow cooker, as well. You can follow the cooking instructions in my Garlic-Rosemary Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe here, but essentially, cook on Low until the chicken is cooked through completely and the juices run clear when the chicken is cut (8 to 10 hours, depending on the size). You can also cook the chicken on High for 4 to 5 hours if you’re short on time.
What you need to make this pressure cooker whole chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to make this pressure cooker whole chicken recipe:
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (3 1/2 to 4 pound) whole roasting chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup chicken stock
Ingredient Tip: This recipe has a bit of a kick with the spice blend listed above, but you can use this same method and your own favorite chicken seasonings if you prefer.
How to make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot
Here’s how to make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. First, combine salt, paprika, cayenne, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Rub the outside of the chicken (all sides) and inside the cavity generously with the seasoning mixture.
Turn on an electric pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot) and select the Sauté function. Pour oil into the pot and allow the oil to get hot (1 to 2 minutes).
Once the oil is hot, brown the chicken in the hot oil on each side (breast side and back side) for 2 to 3 minutes each. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Press Cancel to end the Sauté function.
Pour chicken stock into the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. This deglazing process is important to avoid the Instant Pot’s burn error, so don’t skip the scrape.
Place a steamer rack trivet in the bottom of the pressure cooker pot, then place the whole chicken, breast side up, on top of the trivet.
Close and lock the pressure cooker lid. Select high pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions and set the timer for 24 minutes for a 4-pound chicken (or 6 minutes per pound of chicken). It will take about 6 minutes for pressure to build in the pot before the pressure cooking time begins. After the pressure cooking time ends, let the pressure release from the pot naturally according to the manufacturer’s instructions (this could take between 25 to 35 minutes). Unlock and remove the lid, and carefully remove the chicken from the pressure cooker.
Optional: If desired, transfer the pressure cooker whole chicken to an oven-safe dish and place it under a preheated broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin.
Allow the Instant Pot whole chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Pressure cooker whole chicken comes out unbelievably moist and tender!
Here’s the Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe! If you try any other seasoning combinations, be sure to let others know in the comments!
Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Once you make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, you'll never want to roast one in the oven again. Pressure cooker whole chicken is a hands-off way to make an amazing meal that comes out fork-tender and perfectly moist every time. This Instant Pot whole chicken recipe has a bit of a kick, but you can use this same method and your own favorite chicken seasonings if you prefer.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (3 1/2 to 4 pound) whole roasting chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Combine salt, paprika, cayenne, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Rub the outside of the chicken and inside the cavity generously with the seasoning mixture.
- Turn on an electric pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Sauté function. Pour oil into the pot and allow to get hot, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Brown chicken in the hot oil on each side (breast side and back side) for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Cancel Sauté function.
- Pour chicken stock into the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits.
- Place a steamer rack trivet in the bottom of the pressure cooker pot, then place the whole chicken, breast side up, on top of the trivet.
- Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions and set timer for 24 minutes for a 4-pound chicken (if using a different size of chicken, cook for 6 minutes per pound for your size of chicken). It will take about 6 minutes for pressure to build before the pressure cooking time begins.
- After the pressure cooking time ends, let pressure release naturally according to manufacturer's instructions, 25 to 35 minutes.
- Unlock and open the lid and carefully remove the chicken from the pressure cooker.
- Optional: If desired, transfer the chicken to an oven-safe dish and place under a preheated broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
This recipe was written for a 6-quart pressure cooker, so it calls for a smaller chicken that will fit easily inside the pot. For chickens larger than 4 pounds, add an additional 3 minutes of pressure cooking time for each additional half-pound of weight, and add an additional 1/2 cup of liquid to the bottom of the pot if preparing this in an 8-quart pressure cooker.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply