Cook the most perfect roast chicken in your Instant Pot in just 30 minutes! Seasoned with lemon and herbs, this chicken is perfectly juicy and succulent and a real treat for the whole family!
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Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
If you love to eat a whole roasted chicken, but find it a bit of a hassle and too time consuming, then grab your Instant Pot and get ready for the most delicious meal!
With a deliciously crispy skin, there is no risk of overcooked dry meat with this fool proof recipe. Enjoy a whole chicken any night of the week!
If you are new to cooking with your pressure cooker, be sure to check out my instant pot guide!
Why you will love this Instant Pot whole chicken recipe!
- Quick and easy: Ready to serve in 30 minutes and made with a few simple ingredients.
- Great for meal prep: Although this chicken is perfect to serve as a large family meal, it’s also great for make ahead meals!
- Healthy: Low carb and low in saturated fat, chicken is high in protein and is great as part of a well balanced diet.
How to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Rub the seasonings all over the chicken.
- Place a lemon in the cavity.
- Brown the chicken in the Instant Pot on saute mode.
- Remove the chicken and squeeze over lemon juice.
- Place the lemon slices in he Instant Pot.
- Place the chicken back in and pour the broth around it.
- Cook on high and release.
Can you make it ahead of time?
This whole chicken is best served straight out of the Instant Pot if you are planning to serve it as part of a meal. But, if you want to meal prep, then a whole chicken is perfect! It’s often more budget friendly than buying breasts or thighs.
Remove the cooked chicken from the bones and place in an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can you freeze it?
If you can’t get through all the meat, then freezing it is a great option and it will keep well for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and use it in Shredded Chicken Tacos or Chicken Chili.
What do you serve it with?
Roasted whole chicken is perfect to serve up with roasted potatoes and your favorite veggie side dishes, and it’s a great option to serve at a smaller Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Leftovers are great in salads and sandwiches!
Remember not to throw the carcass out either so you can make your own chicken stock!
Recipe Tips and Notes
- If cooking your chicken from frozen, add an additional 5 minutes to the cooking time.
- Let the chicken rest before carving it to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Browning the chicken is optional, but it produces the most crispy skin and helps to lock in the flavor.
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes!
Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Whole Chicken
- 1 cup chicken broth
- olive oil
- 1 lemon sliced
Instructions
- Combine the spices and rub all over the chicken.
- Tuck a few lemon slices into the cavity.
- Add a couple tablespoons olive oil to the Instant Pot, press the sauté button, and brown the chicken on both sides. Use two large forks or heavy duty tongs to flip.
- Once browned, remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and place on a plate or cutting board. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon slices over the chicken and drop the rinds into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Place the chicken back in the Instant Pot. Pour the broth around the chicken in the pot. Set to HIGH pressure for 20 (25 for frozen) minutes.
- When it’s done, release the pressure valve and wait for pressure to release, then let the chicken rest another 5 minutes.
- Serve whole or cut into pieces. You can also shred like you would a rotisserie chicken. Enjoy!
Notes
- If cooking your chicken from frozen, add an additional 5 minutes to the cooking time.
- Let the chicken rest before carving it to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Browning the chicken is optional, but it produces the most crispy skin and helps to lock in the flavor.
Laurie Homrighouse says
The flavor was good, but my chicken was undercooked. The recipe didn’t specify weight of chicken, so I just followed as written.
Becky Hardin says
Cook chicken until 165 F!