I asked Instant Pot customer service for help on how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot the right way. I learned SO much that I’m going to share it all with you in this video!
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It’s quick and easy to make a tasty home-cooked meal by cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. Because of the pressure, the chicken cooks much faster and stays moist, tender, and flavorful than if it were baked.
Whether you are an experienced Instant Pot user or just getting started, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect Instant Pot whole chicken.
Benefits of Cooking Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
There are several benefits to cooking whole chicken in the Instant Pot compared to traditional oven roasting
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It’s faster – The pressurized environment significantly reduces cook time. A 3-4 pound chicken takes only 30-40 minutes in the Instant Pot vs 1-1.5 hours in the oven.
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Meat that is moist and tender—The chicken stays very moist and tender because the moisture stays inside the sealed pot. Both white and dark meat come out juicy.
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More flavor – Cooking in the moist environment concentrates flavors. Seasonings deeply penetrate the meat.
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Simple dinner for the week—a whole chicken can be cooked any night of the week because it takes less time to cook.
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Hands-off cooking – Once the lid is on, the Instant Pot does the cooking for you with no monitoring needed.
Tips for Choosing the Right Whole Chicken
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Size – Choose a chicken between 3 to 5 pounds. A 6 quart Instant Pot might not be able to hold anything bigger.
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Prepackaged vs fresh – Fresh chickens tend to cook more evenly. Pre-seasoned ones can have excess salt.
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Frozen – Only use thawed chicken, not frozen. Frozen chicken takes too long to come to pressure.
Step 1 – Prepare the Whole Chicken
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Remove neck and giblets from the cavity. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Trim away any excess fat. Make sure no fat covers the venting valve as that can cause errors.
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Rub the chicken skin all over with olive oil or melted butter. This helps the skin brown and adds moisture.
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Season the outside liberally with salt and pepper or other spices like garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary.
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For extra flavor, rub the seasoning under the skin of the breasts and thighs. Loosen the skin gently with fingers.
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Optional: Stuff the cavity with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, onions or garlic.
Step 2 – Prepare the Instant Pot
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Place the trivet and 1 cup water or broth in the Instant Pot. The liquid will create steam. Chicken juices will also release.
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Brush the bottom of the pot with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
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Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string or tuck them in so the chicken sits flat on the trivet, breast side up.
Step 3 – Set Pressure Cook Time
Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken:
- 3 pounds – 22-25 minutes
- 4 pounds – 28-30 minutes
- 5 pounds – 33-35 minutes
Use manual/pressure cook mode on high pressure. Include time to build pressure (12-15 minutes).
Step 4 – Pressure Cook the Chicken
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Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to ‘sealing’.
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Press ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the cook time based on size.
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The Instant Pot will take 10-15 minutes to build pressure then the cook time will start counting down.
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Do not quick or natural release. Let the pressure dissipate on its own – roughly 15-20 minutes.
Step 5 – Finish the Chicken
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Carefully remove the lid. The chicken will be very tender and fall off the bone.
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Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute.
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If desired, broil the chicken for 4-5 minutes to crisp the skin. Keep an eye to avoid burning.
Step 6 – Make a Sauce from the Pan Drippings
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Scoop out the chicken and reserve 1-2 cups of the cooking liquid.
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Let the liquid simmer in an uncovered pan. As it reduces, skim off any excess fat.
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Make a slurry by mixing 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water. Whisk the slurry into the simmering liquid.
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Cook 2-3 minutes until thickened then season to taste with salt, pepper and herbs.
You now have a delicious home-cooked whole chicken ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
There are endless possibilities for side dishes and meals to make with Instant Pot whole chicken:
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Serve the carved chicken as is, with the pan sauce
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Shred or dice the meat for chicken salad sandwiches, burritos, pasta dishes etc.
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Make soup with the cooked chicken and leftover broth
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Pair with roasted potatoes, rice, quinoa or pasta
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Steam or sauté vegetables like green beans, broccoli or carrots
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Toss a salad with cubed chicken breast and tangy dressing
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Stuff chicken into tortillas with cheese, salsa and peppers for fajitas
With this handy step-by-step guide, you can start enjoying perfectly cooked whole chicken from your Instant Pot any night of the week. The quick cook time along with foolproof method makes this an easy, family-friendly dinner.
Revealing the Secrets for Cooking a Chicken in an Instant Pot
And I was right! There is a better way to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. I called the manufacturer’s customer service line and learned that there are certain techniques for creating a tasty “fall off the bone” chicken with skin that isn’t limp.
There are a number of tips and tricks to getting perfectly cooked chicken in the Instant Pot. I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step in my recipe video. You should start with a dry rub, but not just any dry rub. You should use a barbecue rub or chili barbecue rub. That was one of the most important things I learned.
Definitely the Best Whole Chicken
It’s easy to make a flavorful broth that you can use to cover the chicken in. This Instant Pot chicken was delicious! There you have it. If you have been afraid to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, now is the time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it will be!.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
FAQ
How long do you cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot?
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? A good rule of thumb to follow: Cook for 6 minutes per pound of chicken once under pressure. So, a 4-pound chicken cooks for 24 minutes, a 5-pound chicken cooks for 30 minutes, and so on.
How long do you have to cook chicken in the Instant Pot?
How long does it take to cook chicken breasts in an Instant Pot? The Instant Pot needs about 12 minutes to heat up, and then the chicken needs another 10 to 15 minutes to cook. Be sure to use medium chicken breasts (about 8 ounces) each.
Does chicken need to be covered with liquid in an Instant Pot?
I’ve found that frozen chicken cooks up best when it’s at least halfway submerged in liquid. You can use either water or broth. Just make sure the pieces are all in one layer at the bottom of the pot and add at least a cup of liquid. You can cook the chicken on its own this way, or incorporate it into a recipe.
How to cook a whole chicken in an instant air fryer?
Turn the air fryer on to 350°F. Cook for 30 minutes, flip the chicken over and cook for 20-30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reaches 165°F. Apr 20, 2022.
Can you cook rotisserie chicken in Instant Pot?
Cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot is fast, simple and budget-friendly. Instead of buying a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at the store, you can make this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe with just minutes of prep time. It’s so much better than store-bought, and I love knowing what’s in my food.
Can you cook chicken in an Instant Pot?
Make a gravy: Use the liquid in the bottom of the pot to make a delicious gravy for the chicken. Turn the Instant Pot to simmer, mix in a thickener and you’re all set. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or the oven until warmed through.
Does Instant Pot make chicken tender?
But in the Instant Pot, that is much less of a worry. And third, the chicken is SO JUICY and fall-off-the-bone tender. Hands down a chicken that is cooked in the Instant Pot is way more tender and juicy than one that is brined and roasted in the oven, because that is what makes cooking in a pressure cooker so magical.
How to pressure cook chicken in Instant Pot?
Place the whole chicken on the trivet and lock the lid, ensuring the pressure-release valve is closed. Set the Instant Pot to pressure-cook on high for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally. Remove the chicken from the pressure cooker and serve with your favorite sides. KRISINTA VANNI FOR TASTE OF HOME
How do you cook chicken thighs in an Instant Pot?
Get my full Instant Pot chicken breast recipe. Place trivet inside the Instant Pot. Season chicken thighs and place on the trivet in a single layer. Pour water or broth into the pot (directly over the chicken). Seal cooker and set to HIGH pressure for 12 minutes (15 minutes for frozen).
How do you Steam Chicken in an Instant Pot?
To create sufficient steam for pressure cooking, you must add liquid to the Instant Pot. Water, broth, or a combination of both works best. Typically, about 1 cup of liquid is sufficient for cooking a whole chicken. Place the chicken carefully on the steaming rack or trivet to ensure it sits above the liquid.