Learn to make a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Made with homemade rotisserie seasoning, this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken results in a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in under 60 minutes.
This Instant Pot “Rotisserie-Style” Chicken is a favorite Instant Pot Chicken Recipe. It is perfect to enjoy for a family dinner or to use in leftover rotisserie chicken recipes.
I held off making a whole chicken in the Instant Pot for a long time. I love my recipe for Homemade Rotisserie Chicken made in the oven, so why mess with a good thing?.
I am so glad I decided to start experimenting because Instant Pot Whole Chicken is about the best thing since sliced bread. Just like my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Instant Pot Chicken Thighs making a whole chicken in the Instant Pot results in the most flavorful, tender, juicy chicken you will ever have. The meat literally falls off the bone and each bite of chicken is oozing with juiciness.
I think this Instant Pot Rotisserie-Style Chicken will become a new family favorite very quickly. It is a simple, economical recipe that is worthy of a Sunday family dinner, or it can be used for any recipe calling for leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken.
Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a great way to make a delicious, juicy chicken dinner with ease. A 6lb whole chicken is a large bird, so it requires some special considerations when using an air fryer. In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide on how long to cook a 6lb whole chicken in an air fryer for perfect results every time.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer
Air fryers have become incredibly popular in recent years due to their ability to make fried foods with little to no oil. But air fryers aren’t just for french fries – they can cook a whole chicken to crispy, golden perfection Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer for whole chickens
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Uses little to no oil – Air frying chicken results in up to 75% less fat than deep frying. This makes it a healthier cooking method.
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Makes skin crispy—An air fryer’s high heat circulation makes the skin brown and crispy.
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Cooks chicken evenly – Hot air surrounds the entire chicken ensuring even cooking throughout. No dry breasts or underdone thighs.
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Retains juiciness – Quick cooking times prevent moisture loss, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
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Adds flavor – The air frying process imparts delicious flavor as the chicken cooks in its own rendered fat and juices.
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Easy cleanup – With minimal oil splatter, air fryers are easier to clean than an oven after cooking chicken.
Time Required to Cook a 6lb Chicken in an Air Fryer
Cooking time can vary based on the specifics of your chicken and air fryer model. That said, here are some general timelines:
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Whole chicken: Approximately 1 hour is needed to fully cook a 6lb whole chicken in an air fryer. This allows time for the interior to come to temperature while the outside gets crispy.
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Chicken pieces: Chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, legs and wings will take less time, around 20-30 minutes.
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Bone-in vs bone-out: Bone-in chicken can take slightly longer than boneless pieces. The bones act as insulation, slowing down the cooking process.
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High vs low temp: Using a higher air fryer temperature (400°F) will reduce cook time compared to a lower temp (325°F). But both can work well.
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Flipped vs not: Flipping chicken halves the cook time. One flip mid-way through is recommended for even cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking a Whole 6lb Chicken
Follow these simple steps for foolproof air fried whole chicken:
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Remove giblets: Check inside the chicken cavity and remove any giblets or neck that may be tucked away.
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Pat dry: Pat the skin dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get extra crispy.
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Season: Generously season on all sides with salt, pepper and desired seasonings. Herbs, garlic, lemon, or cajun seasoning all work great.
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Insert thermometer: Place a meat thermometer deep in the thickest part of a breast, being careful not to hit bone. This will allow you to monitor the internal temperature.
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Place in fryer: Put the seasoned chicken into the air fryer basket. For a 6lb bird, you may need to sit it at an angle.
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When you air fry at 400°F, cook for about 50 to 60 minutes, flipping the food over halfway through. Monitor temperature.
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Read the temperature: The thickest part of the breast should be 165°F and the thigh should be 180°F for chicken to be safe to eat.
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Let rest: When done, remove chicken and let rest 10 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute.
And that’s it! Following these tips will reward you with a perfectly cooked whole chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat in about an hour. Enjoy your delicious air fried chicken!
Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional pointers to ensure air fryer chicken success:
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When in doubt, use a lower temp rather than higher – overcooking dries out the chicken.
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Utilize the air fryer rotisserie attachment if your model has one. This allows for even 360 degree cooking.
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Misting the skin periodically with oil helps crispness, but watch splatter.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy – appearance alone doesn’t guarantee doneness.
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Let the chicken rest before carving for juicier meat.
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Air fry extra veggies like potatoes or broccoli to complete your meal.
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Use foil to tent chicken and let carryover cooking finish off the center.
Common Air Fryer Chicken Problems and Solutions
Even when following the proper technique, you may encounter some hiccups. Here are some typical air fryer chicken problems and how to troubleshoot:
Problem: Chicken skin isn’t crispy.
Solution: Pat skin extremely dry before cooking, use higher temp like 400°F, and mist skin with oil.
Problem: Chicken is burned on outside but raw inside.
Solution: Use lower temp and cook for longer time, and flip chicken halfway through.
Problem: Chicken is dried out and stringy.
Solution: Don’t overcook, use thermometer for accuracy, and tent foil over chicken after cooking.
Problem: Chicken doesn’t fit in basket.
Solution: Place at an angle or cook pieces separately.
Problem: Chicken releases a lot of smoke.
Solution: Trim excess skin and fat to reduce this.
With a few simple tweaks, you can rectify any air fryer chicken challenges that arise.
Alternative Cooking Methods
While air frying is a great choice for whole chicken, there are other options if you don’t own an air fryer:
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Oven: Roast at 375°F for about 1 hour until 165°F internal temperature.
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Grill: indirect grill over medium heat for 60-90 mins, flipping occasionally.
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Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours until tender.
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Sous Vide: Cook submerged in 165°F water bath for 2-4 hours depending on thickness.
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Stovetop: Brown chicken pieces in a skillet first, then simmer in broth or sauce until done.
So don’t worry if you don’t have an air fryer on hand. There are plenty of other ways to end up with delicious home cooked chicken for your dinner table.
In Summary
Cooking a 6lb whole chicken in an air fryer is an easy, healthy and flavorful way to prepare chicken. Allow around 1 hour cook time at 400°F, flipping halfway through. Monitor the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F. Letting the chicken rest before serving also improves juiciness. Follow the tips provided to troubleshoot any potential problems that arise. And if you don’t own an air fryer, never fear – oven roasting, grilling or slow cooking can also make a tasty chicken. Enjoy experimenting with all the possibilities for preparing fantastic chicken dinners using your air fryer.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
This chicken recipe is one of the easiest Instant Pot Recipes you can make. But if you have never used an Instant Pot before, you might want to read How to Use an Instant Pot first to get used to some of the terms and steps.
- Place the trivet or rack inside the pressure cooker.
- For a 6-quart model, add 1 cup of cold water. For an 8-quart model, add 1-1/2 cups. Be sure to use cold tap water, not warm water. If you use warm water, the Instant Pot will reach pressure faster, which will change how long it takes to cook.
- Put the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together.
- Take out any metal or plastic parts from the chicken and the giblets from inside the chicken. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle a lot of the spice rub on top of the chicken, and then use your hands to work it into the skin. Be sure to season both sides of the chicken.
- Put the chicken in the Instant Pot with the breast side facing up on the rack.
- Make sure your hands are clean before putting the lid on the Instant Pot. Make sure the vent knob is in the sealed position.
- Using the manual or pressure cook button, set the cooker to cook on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound. To change the cooking time, press the /- buttons.
- After the cooking time is up, let the pressure drop on its own for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This will ensure the meat stays tender and juicy.
- After 10 minutes of natural release. To quickly let go of any remaining pressure, use a long object to hit the vent knob valve from sealing to venting. Just make sure you don’t touch the valve or you could get burned by the steam.
- Check to see if the chicken has reached 165 degrees F by sticking a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Putting the lid back on the pressure cooker and cooking for an extra 2 minutes for every 5 degrees below 165 degrees F if the temperature is below that level.
Note: It is NORMAL for the meat to pull away from the bones after pressure cooking. It will still be incredibly juicy and delicious.
- You can make the skin crispier by putting the chicken on a sheet pan, brushing oil on the skin, and broiling for 2 to 4 minutes, being careful not to burn the chicken.
- Take the chicken out of the pan and set it on a cutting board. This will allow the juices to redistribute.
- Slice the chicken into pieces and serve as desired. Don’t throw away the bones; you’ll need them to make Instant Pot Chicken Stock.
You can serve Instant Pot Whole Chicken as the main dish for dinner with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots or a side salad. This Instant Pot Chicken is perfect for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. Some of my favorite recipes are shared below.
How long it takes to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot depends on how big the chicken is. Cook your chicken on HIGH pressure for 6 minutes per pound and let the pressure naturally release for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This will make sure the chicken is perfectly cooked.
- 3-pound chicken: 18 minutes on high pressure
- 4-pound chicken: 24 minutes on high pressure
- 5-pound chicken: 30 minutes on high pressure
To account for an additional 1/2 pound, add an additional d 3 minutes to the total cooking time. For example, if you were cooking a 3-1/2 pound chicken cook for 21 minutes (6 minutes per pound + 3 minutes per half a pound).
Please Note: If your chicken seems like it is really thick (the chicken breasts are on the larger side) you may want to increase the time to 7 minutes per pound.
If you happen to have an air fryer lid that fits on your Instant Pot, you can use your air fryer lid to crisp up the skin right inside the Instant Pot. After pressure cooking, use an air fryer lid on your pressure cooker to crisp up the skin. Set to 400 degrees F and air fry for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy.
Instant Pot Frozen Whole Chicken
You CAN cook a whole frozen chicken in the Instant Pot if your frozen chicken already has the innards/gizzards removed and has no plastic ties around the feet. You will not be able to remove a plastic insert or bag of gizzards from a frozen chicken. Therefore, you can not put a frozen chicken with either of those items into your pressure cooker.
If you have a chicken that comes without the gizzards or plastic clamp around the legs, you would need to increase the time by 5 minutes per pound, for a total of 11 minutes per pound, with a natural pressure release of 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Roast Chicken | How long to cook whole chicken in air fryer
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 6 lb chicken in an air fryer?
Air-fry at 370 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip the chicken, breast-side up, and continue to air-fry until skin is crisp and brown, 15 more minutes. Tent aluminum foil over the chicken and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
How long should chicken be cooked in an air fryer?
It takes between 15 and 20 minutes to air fry chicken, but the exact time depends on the cut, size, and thickness of the chicken.