While Chicken Instant Pot

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers

• To store leftover chicken in the fridge, remove it from the bones and seal in food storage containers or bags. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will keep for up to 4 days.
• To freeze, remove the chicken from the bones and place in freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible. Mark the date, and freeze the chicken for up to three months.

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Why Use The Instant Pot

So, what specifically is so great about making a whole chicken in the Instant Pot? Well, there are actually quite a few great reasons to love this method. Here are just a few:

• Convenience: Using the Instant Pot allows you to cook the chicken without babysitting it. That means theres no need to peek into the oven and make sure its not getting overdone, no basting, no worrying that the meat will dry out. Because the Instant Pot does all the work, you can just set the timer and walk away. Perfection!
• Cost-Effectiveness: Per pound, whole chickens are one of the most economical protein options out there. Its not uncommon to pay twice as much for thighs, wings, or breasts! This recipe makes it easy to take advantage of those savings.
• Quality: Pressure cooking allows you to fully cook both the dark meat and white meat, without losing moisture. Thats because pressure cookers actually trap steam and moisture inside, rather than letting it evaporate. As a result, you get tenderized food without losing any of the juices.
• Time: Of course, this is the main attraction of the Instant Potits in the name! For this recipe, youll only need a short time for the IP to heat up, and then about 8 minutes per pound or 13 minutes per pound .

Do I Need To Use A Trivet When Roasting A Whole Chicken In An Instant Pot

If you want to be able to carve and serve your chicken rotisserie-style, you will need to use a trivet in your Instant Pot.

Essentially, you are ensuring that your chicken isnt sitting in the broth, other-wise it will fall completely apart and you risk having it stick to the bottom of your Instant Pot.

Below is an example of how I set my whole chicken on the trivet to cook.

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How To Cook A Whole Chicken In An Instant Pot

See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.

How to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot. This rotisserie-style Instant Pot whole chicken recipe is easy to make, even if you are a beginner with using your pressure cooker. Its perfect for Sunday dinner or to make ahead for quick meals throughout the week! Cook from fresh or frozen.

Out of all of the recipes that Ive cooked in my Instant Pot, this whole roast chicken might be my favorite. Its become a part of my weekly routine to make an Instant Pot whole chicken for dinner. Then I use the leftover chicken to make the best quick meals throughout the week! You can use your leftover chicken in salads, pastas, casseroles or sandwiches.

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. Your homemade chicken will taste so much better than store-bought, and you can control the ingredients that you use.

This pressure cooker chicken recipe makes the best tender, moist and juicy chicken. Cooking the whole bird gives you both white and dark meat, so everyone in the family can have what they enjoy. Just wait until you try the homemade rotisserie rub in this recipe it is the best!

How Long Do You Pressure Cook A Whole Chicken

A 4lb chicken can be pressure cooked cooked in about 24-26 minutes, and a 7lb chicken will take a little longer at around 42-44 minutes. I have a table below with average cook times.

I do not recommend pressure cooking a frozen whole chicken as you risk having the center still frozen even if you increase the cook time. You can cook chicken pieces such as chicken breast and chicken thighs from frozen in a pressure cooker but a whole frozen chicken is more tricky to safely cook because of its size.

Cook times are approximate and can vary depending on the thickness of the meat, they also assume a fully defrosted chicken.

If you are unsure if your chicken is fully cooked then check it with a digital thermometer, it should be at a minimum temperature of 165°F.

If its not properly cooked simply put the lid back on and cook for a further 6 minutes

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Frozen Vs Thawed Vs Fresh

For this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe, a fresh whole chicken is best. Look for a chicken that is 4 to 6 pounds in weight.

A frozen chicken will take at least 24 hours to thaw in the fridge. If you only have a frozen chicken, allow it to thaw completely.

Once thawed, follow this recipe exactly. Be extra careful when loosening the chicken skin. It may be slightly more fragile.

I have not experimented with pressure cooking an entire chicken from frozen.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe

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Instant Pot Whole ChickenRecipe is juicy, flavorful, and fall apart tender. Even the breast is moist! The easiest way to cook rotisserie style chicken with 5 minutes of prep and finish under the broiler for that beautiful crispy skin!

We rely heavily on Instant Pot recipes for dinner when life gets busy. One pot meals like Instant Pot chicken and rice and Instant Pot chicken alfredo are on regular rotation around here!

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Instant Pot Whole Chicken From Frozen

• You can safely cook a whole frozen chicken in your Instant Pot. I have included full instructions for cooking a frozen chicken in the recipe below. I prefer to cook my chicken from fresh, but in a pinch this method works well.
• You will need to skip the step of browning the chicken, since you cant sear frozen meat.
• You will only need half of the amount of spice rub called for in the recipe.
• Pressure cook a frozen chicken for 13 minutes per pound at high pressure, plus 15 minutes natural release.
• A 4 pound frozen chicken will take 52 minutes, a 4.5 pound frozen chicken will take 59 minutes and a 5 pound frozen chicken will take 65 minutes.
• Check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the leg, not touching the bone.

Can I Cook A Frozen Whole Chicken In The Pressure Cooker

Yes, you can cook a whole frozen chicken in your pressure cooker however, do not sear the chicken while frozen instead, season the chicken and cook it on high pressure. After the chicken is fully cooked, brush the chicken with melted butter or oil and place it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the skin. You can also use the air fryer to crisp up the skin.

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By Step Instructions For The Instant Pot

Step 1: Add water and chopped vegetables TO the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet on top.

Step 2: Place whole seasoned chicken on the trivet, breast side up.

Step 3: Close the lid. Ensure the seal is in place and the pressure valve is on sealed.

Step 4: Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes per pound of bird.

For example:

• 4 lb chicken will take 24 minutes
• 5 lb chicken will take 30 minutes
• 6 lb chicken will take 36 minutes

Step 5: Let the pressure release naturally until the red pressure valve falls down.

Step 6: Open the lid carefully and remove the chicken. Serve as is or shred the chicken and portion for later.

Tip: Use can use a KitchenAid stand mixer to shred the chicken for you in minutes!

Step 7: Save the bones for chicken broth, if you want to.

Homemade chicken stock is FREE and super easy heres the tutorial for the Instant Pot, and heres how to make slow cooker chicken stock as well.

How To Make Instant Pot Whole Chicken:

Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and use your hands to smear it around so that the whole chicken is coated in oil.

Sprinkle the chicken with sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and dried parsley.

Pour the apple cider into the bottom of the Pressure Cooker and insert the trivet. Place the chicken on top of the trivet. Add chopped apples and/or onions if youd like.

Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and press the Manual Pressure or Pressure Cook button. Adjust the time for 30 minutes and keep the pressure valve sealed. Allow the pressure cooker to run its course it will take 5 to 10 minutes to heat up before it gets going.

Once the time is up, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release for at least 20 minutes. I often let mine go for 40 or 50.

Note: Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Verify the internal temperature by poking the thickest part of the breast with a meat thermometer.

Remember that it is this process that helps make the chicken nice and tender, so while it will be fully cooked after the 30 minutes, for the juiciest, tenderest results, be sure to allow it to go through the natural release.

Removing the chicken from the Instant Pot is a bit of a to do. The chicken will be hot, and because it becomes very tender, it will feel like the whole thing will fall apart if you try to pick it up.

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High Altitude Adjustments For Pressure Cookers

I live in Denver, 5280 ft above sea level, and yes, you do have to adjust the pressure cooking times altitude impacts the temperature that water boils, the higher you are the lower the water temperature, so this could impact your cooking. Check out this great article on how to increase times when pressure cooking.

Cooking guidelines are included in the printable recipe card below. However with chicken, you should grab a handy meat thermometer and shove it into the thigh of the chicken, avoiding bones it should read 165 degrees F!

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Cooking A Whole Chicken

Usually, whole chickens contain a bag of giblets stuffed into the chicken cavity. In the case of an organic or fresh chicken, youll generally find the giblets and neck in the cavity without a bag. REMOVE the neck/giblets/bag before you cook the chicken. After youve removed them, rinse the cavity out with cold water.

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Pressure Cook Chicken & Potatoes

• Lower the chicken onto the trivet, chicken breast up.
• Place the pressure cooking lid on top and lock it in place. Set to Pressure Cook function and adjust the time to 20 minutes on HIGH pressure. Press Start . The pressure will take about 10-12 minutes to build up and then the countdown timer will commence.
• Once the pressure cooking timer is done, quick release the pressure. Its okay to let it release naturally for 5-10 minutes if you get busy but dont leave it for too long as the chicken will continue to cook during this stage.

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Making Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup is easy, quick, and delicious. I’ll show you how to make pressure cooker chicken noodle soup that the whole family will love. This flavorful and simple chicken noodle soup in the Instant Pot is great for weeknight meals.

You know I’m all about efficient meals during the week. I need to be able to get something on the table easily and quickly. The great thing about this pressure cooker chicken noodle soup is that it’s heart, full of flavor, and it comes together in about 20 minutes.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Roasting In The Oven Instead Of Using The Air Fryer Lid

After pressure cooking the chicken and potatoes in the Instant Pot, transfer them to a large baking tray with a little cooking broth added to the bottom. Brush the chicken and potatoes with garlic and pop in the 200 C / 392 F oven, middle shelf, for about 20-25 minutes. Remove the chicken to rest but leave the potatoes in for 10 more minutes to crisp up further. You can move the tray under the broil for 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Whole Chicken

What size Instant Pot will cook a whole chicken?

I have a 6 qt Instant Pot, which is perfect for our family of 4, the 8 qt would work fine as well, be sure to add an additional cup of liquid.

How Long Does it Take to Cook a Chicken in a Pressure Cooker?

It depends on the size of chicken. The chicken should read 165 degrees with a meat thermometer, but these times are a rule of thumb. * 3 pound chicken 18 minutes on high pressure* 4 pound chicken 24 minutes on high pressure* 5 pound chicken 30 minutes on high pressure* For every extra pound, add about 6 minutes at high pressure or 3 minutes for every half pound.

Will the chicken be ready in 30 minutes?

Nope! I must admit I do get a bit frustrated with some Pressure Cooker recipes that say that a recipe is done a matter of minutes. Maybe the actual cooking time takes minutes, but typically the instructions do not take into account the time it takes come to pressure, cook and depressurize . So my times will be higher than you see on many recipes, but hopefully a bit more realistic.

Keep in mind the amount of time that it will take to allow the pressure to release naturally, again can vary, but mine takes about 30 minutes to release.

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How To Make Super Easy Chicken Gravy

• Melt about 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, a little onion powder and a touch of pepper. Mix into butter with a wooden spoon or whisk. While stirring, slowly pour in 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the cooking chicken broth/drippings liquid.
• Once incorporated into the flour-butter roux , add another 1/2 cup. If you dont have 1.5 cups of liquid, make up extra stock using a stock cube or powder.
• Stir for 1.5 2 minutes until it thickens to a gravy consistency . Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed.

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Cook Time: Total Time:

The most tender, fall-off-the-bone delicious chicken made goof-proof in a pressure cooker. Magically easy and amazing!

• 1 whole chicken
• 1 Tbsp Avocado oil
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Do You Cover Meat With Liquid In Pressure Cooker

As the pressure cooker becomes more popular, many people are asking this question. With so many different pressure cookers on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is best for your needs. There are a few factors you should consider before making this decision.

One important factor to consider is whether or not you want to cover your meat with liquid. If you do, then make sure it is of the correct consistency and has a low boiling point. otherwise, it could cause water to enter the pressure cooker prematurely and prevent it from sealing properly. When choosing a pressure cooker, make sure to read reviews and compare prices before purchase so that you can get the best value for your money.

Why Cook A Whole Chicken In A Pressure Cooker

This is such a foolproof method to cook a whole chicken. The chicken not only cooks quickly, but this method helps to lock in the natural juices so the meat doesnt dry out. Because there is no fat added to the chicken, unlike oven roasting, its also a healthier option. Quick, easy, healthywhats not to love?!

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How Long To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

• Cook a fresh chicken for 6 minutes per pound. This means that a 4 pound chicken will take 24 minutes to cook, a 4.5 pound chicken will take 27 minutes, and a 5 pound bird will take 30 minutes, at high pressure.
• Follow the cook time with a 15 minute natural release. This means just leave your Instant Pot alone for 15 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to the venting position before opening the lid.
• Always use an instant read thermometer to check that your chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. You want to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the leg, not touching the bone. Using the Instant Pot to cook a whole chicken is pretty foolproof, and mine has always been perfectly cooked and juicy after pressure cooking for 6 minutes per pound.