• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Carmy - Easy Healthy-ish Recipes
  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Airfryer
    • Breakfast
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Instant Pot
    • Main Dishes
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless
    • Sides
    • Under 60 Minute Meals
  • Meal Prep
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • How To Tutorials
    • Meal Prep
      • Meal Prep 101: Why You Should Meal Prep, How To Meal Prep, and Other Meal Prep Tips
      • Tips To Help You Meal Prep For the Week Successfully
      • Tips for Meal Prepping on a Budget + 28 Recipes
      • Whole Chicken Meal Prep (3 Freezer Friendly Meals)
    • Meal Prep: Learning the Basics E-Book
    • How To Tutorials
      • How To Cook a Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot
      • How To Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
      • How to Make the Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
      • How to Press Tofu Without a Tofu Press
  • About Me
    • Collaborate With Me
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Meal Prep
  • Airfryer
  • How To Tutorials
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Recipes / How To Cook a Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot

    How To Cook a Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot

    Posted: Mar 2, 2018 Last Modified: Sep 21, 2021 by Carmy · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • 410
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot! #InstantPot #ChickenRecipe #InstantPotChicken

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    Click here to pin this whole chicken recipe for later!

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and moist whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    SO WHAT’S AN INSTANT POT?

    I have the Duo Plus 9 in 1 Instant Pot (6 qt) and this is the one that this recipe has been tested in. The Duo Plus replaces 9 commonly used kitchen appliances – Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice/Porridge Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake/Egg Maker, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Warm and Sterilize. It’s quite the multi-use product! For more info on the Instant Pot, check out my What is an Instant Pot FAQ here!

    RELATED: want more Instant Pot Recipes? Find all my Instant Pot Recipes here!

    Easy whole juicy chicken in an Instant Pot

    So this whole chicken made inside an Instant Pot is one of my favourite Instant Pot recipes right now. Made inside the Instant Pot, there is no basting involved or worrying that the chicken will dry out if you take your eye off it for too long.

    While I enjoy the crispy skin from baking a whole chicken traditionally, the Instant Pot version can have just as if not more crispy skin as I popped the chicken into the oven to broil for 5 minutes. Also, by making the whole chicken in an Instant Pot, the chicken is literally fall off the bone! It’s so freaking tender and moist and so easy to take apart after it’s been cooked.

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    Note: you can even see one of the drumstick bones practically falling off the meat just from me moving the chicken to the rack!

    Tips on Making the Perfect Instant Pot Chicken

    • If you have time, season your whole raw chicken and refrigerate for an hour before cooking.
    • Season the outside and inside of the chicken for maximum flavour.
    • Do not quick release once the countdown is done, let it release the pressure naturally.
    • Every pound of chicken should be cooked 6 minutes under pressure – this chicken was 3.8lbs so to make it easy, I cooked the chicken in the Instant Pot for 24 minutes.

    What You Need To Make a Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot

    Ingredients for making a whole chicken in an Instant Pot: whole chicken, lemon, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, lemon
    • Whole chicken
    • Oil — I prefer olive oil but you can use a neutral oil of your choice.
    • Salt
    • Lemon Pepper (or regular pepper)
    • Paprika — you can use smoked or sweet paprika.
    • Lemon
    • Garlic
    • 1 cup chicken stock/broth or water

    How To Cook a Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot

    Oil in Instant | Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    On sauté mode, drizzle in olive oil or oil of your choice.

    Seasoned Whole Chicken in Instant Pot | Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    Place your seasoned chicken (seasoned with oil, salt, pepper, paprika then and inside the cavity, season and place a sliced lemon and garlic inside) breast side down, still on saute mode, into the Instant Pot. Let it cook for 6 minutes.

    Flipped whole chicken in Instant Pot | Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    After 6 minutes, flip your chicken. This was pretty much the hardest part. It took a pair of tongs and a spatula to flip the whole chicken! Then put in a cup of water/chicken stock/broth.

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    Turn the valve to sealing and set to 24 minutes (if you have a 4lb chicken) then let it natural pressure release before removing the chicken!

    Bam! A whole cooked chicken in the Instant Pot! After removing it from the Instant Pot, to make the skin super crispy, I set it in the oven to be broiled for 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on it!

    RELATED: Got leftover chicken? Try this Chicken and Hummus Quesadilla for lunch the next day!

    Make Ahead Tips

    • Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
    • Freezer: allow the chicken to cool before shredding the meat and transferring them into an airtight container before storing them in the freezer. They can last for up to 3 months.
    Can I cook a frozen chicken?

    I recommend thawing the chicken before cooking as it helps the seasoning stick to the chicken.

    What is natural pressure release?

    Natural Pressure Release (NPR) means you just wait for the metal pin in your lid to drop instead of doing a quick release to get all the steam out of your Instant Pot.

    What other seasoning can I use?

    Try dried herbs, cajun seasoning, cilantro-lime, sriracha-lime, and more. Take a peek in your spice cupboard and see what you’ve got!

    Can I use an air fryer lid?

    The IP air fryer lid was not around when this recipe was first published! While I haven’t had a chance to make this with my air fryer lid, I’ve seen comments regarding this recipe sharing that they’ve had success with it. Readers suggest draining the liquid before using the air fryer lid.

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and moist whole chicken in an Instant Pot!

    Whole Chicken in an Instant Pot

    Curious as to how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? Keep reading to see how you can make a delicious, fall off the bone, and the juiciest whole chicken in an Instant Pot!
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 29 mins
    Total Time: 39 mins
    Servings: 1 chicken

    Ingredients

    • 4 lb whole chicken
    • 4 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp salt
    • 2 tbsp pepper
    • 2.5 tbsp paprika
    • 1 lemon, sliced
    • 5 cloves of garlic, crushed
    • 1 cup water/chicken stock

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Instructions

    • Season your chicken (oil, salt, pepper, paprika) and inside the cavity, season and place a sliced lemon and garlic inside. 
    • On sauté mode, drizzle in 2 tbsp olive oil in your Instant Pot. Then place the chicken, breast side down into the Instant Pot. Let it cook on saute mode for 6 minutes.
    • Flip your chicken. 
    • Pour in 1 cup of water/chicken stock or broth
    • Place the lid on and turn the valve to sealing. Set the pressure cooker to 24 minutes on manual (HIGH PRESSURE) then let it natural pressure release before removing the chicken.
    • After removing it from the Instant Pot, to make the skin super crispy, I set it in the oven to be broiled for 5-6 minutes.

    Notes

    • Optional: Rub your seasoning onto the whole chicken and let it sit in the fridge for an hour before cooking.
    • Cook for 6 minutes per pound of chicken if you have a different sized chicken.
    Tried this recipe?Did you make this recipe? I’m always so happy to hear about it! I’d love to see how it turned out. Tag me at @CarmysHungry on Instagram so I can see it! If you enjoyed the recipe, I’d really appreciate a comment with a 5 star rating! ♥

    Nutrition Per Serving

    Calories: 2004kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 167g | Fat: 134g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Cholesterol: 653mg | Sodium: 14593mg | Potassium: 2402mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 9660IU | Vitamin C: 75.8mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 13.5mg
    Author: Carmy
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Instant Pot

    What to Do With a Whole Chicken?

    • Save the bones and make homemade chicken stock in the Instant Pot!
    • Check out this post here on my three freezer friendly meals that you can make (and freeze for later!) with a whole chicken! Perfect for a meal prep if you’re freezing it or as a family dinner with the whole chicken!
    • Here are 3 other ways to use will all the meat if you Instant Pot a whole chicken!
    • Serve the chicken as is with some Mashed Potatoes or Rice.

    More Instant Pot Recipes to Try

    • Navy Beans in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Steak and Mushrooms 
    • Instant Pot Poached Eggs
    • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
    • Instant Pot Meatballs

    More Methods to Cook Chicken

    • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
    • Dutch Oven Chicken
    • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

    Other places to connect with me
    @carmyshungry on Instagram
    Facebook
    Shop my Amazon faves
    Email: [email protected]

    • 410

    Click here to sign up to stay up to date with new recipes sent straight to your inbox PLUS a free ebook with 10 easy chicken recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janice - Salads 4 Lunch

      March 02, 2018 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      Looks delicious Carmy!! I’m anxious to give this a try for Sunday night’s dinner, yum!

      Reply
    2. Vickie Burkett

      March 02, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      In your bullet points at the beginning of the article about how to cook chicken I was confused by the description: for every pound of chicken it should be cooked 6 pounds under pressure. It wasn’t until further along that I found that you meant 6 minutes per pound using pressure.

      Reply
      • Carmy

        March 02, 2018 at 10:36 pm

        Ah! Apologies for the typo! Thanks for catching that, I’ve updated it now.

        Reply
    3. Amy

      March 12, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      After you saute and flip do you switch to manual? This is a question I find myself asking when I look at many recipes.

      Reply
      • Carmy

        March 12, 2018 at 6:21 pm

        After it is flipped, you change it to pressure cooking setting for 24 minutes.

        Reply
        • Kerrt

          January 07, 2020 at 9:24 am

          Can you cook a whole chicken from frozen? If so how much longer would it take?

          Reply
          • Carmy

            January 08, 2020 at 2:36 pm

            you can but I have not tried it with a whole chicken personally. Sorry!

            Reply
    4. Abbey Sharp

      April 13, 2018 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Love how you compared an Instant Pot chicken vs an oven chicken! You’ve convinced me! I must get an Instant pot

      Reply
    5. Deborah Brooks

      April 13, 2018 at 2:01 pm

      Wow that sure does look super easy! Thanks for sharing this one

      Reply
    6. Rachel

      April 13, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      This just blew my mind a little bit. I had no idea I could cook a whole chicken in there. Thanks!!

      Reply
    7. Farrah

      April 13, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t have an instant pot, but this would be so, so convenient! *-* Gonna have to pass this recipe along to my friend! :]

      Reply
    8. Ann

      August 05, 2018 at 7:47 am

      Is your calorie count a typo?

      Reply
      • Carmy

        August 05, 2018 at 9:53 am

        Hi Ann,

        The calories is not a typo. The calories listed is for the entire chicken, not per serving.

        Reply
    9. Jacqueline Debono

      October 07, 2018 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      I’m still on the fence about getting an Instant Pot but when I come across recipes like this I feel inspired to order one. Looks like such an easy, no mess way to cook a whole chicken!

      Reply
    10. Eden

      October 07, 2018 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      Just another (delicious) sign that I need to get an Instant Pot ASAP!

      Reply
    11. kim

      October 07, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love it! This looks super easy and I can’t wait to give it a try!

      Reply
    12. Amanda

      October 07, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      Is there anything the Instant Pot can’t do? This looks like such a great way to cook chicken. Definitely giving this a try soon!

      Reply
    13. Ginny McMeans

      October 07, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      The instant pot has become so popular. Your instructions are really good as well as the photographic instructions.

      Reply
    14. Holly

      December 18, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      Wow- yet another way to use my Instant Pot! I’ve got to try this! Love the step by step photos, thanks!

      Reply
    15. Pam

      December 28, 2018 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      I bought an instant pot just to try this recipe and was not disappointed. It was so easy, quick, and the chicken was unbelievably juicy!

      Reply
      • Carmy

        December 29, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        I’m so glad to hear! I hope you try out the other recipes!

        Reply
    16. Carey

      December 29, 2018 at 1:56 pm

      Hi, I just got an instant pot for Christmas and wanted to make a whole chicken….I like your recipe but wondered, can the chicken be frozen or does it have to be thawed?
      Thanks,
      Carey

      Reply
      • Carmy

        December 29, 2018 at 2:27 pm

        Hi Carey,

        This recipe is for a thawed chicken as I seared it on both sides. I haven’t tested it with a frozen chicken unfortunately.

        Reply
    17. Lori

      August 08, 2019 at 5:12 pm

      Is pressure high or normal for this? Thanks

      Reply
      • Carmy

        August 09, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        High pressure :)

        Reply
        • Al

          December 03, 2020 at 3:43 pm

          5 stars
          Love the recipe and I’ve made it a few times, always successfully. Maybe I’m a little OCD, but I think you should update the directions to indicate “manual, HIGH pressure”. I find myself always scrolling down to the comments for this crucial clarification ;)

          Reply
          • Carmy

            December 03, 2020 at 6:37 pm

            Thanks for your comment Al! I’m just so used to always cooking on high pressure that I forget people use the other settings as well :)

            Reply
            • Mary

              February 04, 2021 at 5:34 am

              My Instapot automatically takes me to Normal when I switch to pressure cook mode. I’d have to remember to switch to high. Would like to find out how long to cook on normal setting. Otherwise, your recipe sounds delicious. I’m going to try and then use the carcass to make bone broth.

            • Carmy

              February 04, 2021 at 2:31 pm

              Hi Mary, maybe try 8 minutes per pound for the whole chicken. I hope that helps :)

    18. Jimmy Morrison

      October 04, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      If I want to make bean soup with the whole chicken, what would you suggest ?

      Reply
      • Carmy

        October 04, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        Hi Jimmy! Here’s a bean soup that would go well with chicken: https://www.budgetbytes.com/vegetarian-15-bean-soup/

        Reply
    19. Kat Mahon

      December 22, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made this but I didn’t brown it first. I was wanting cooked chicken for chicken and noodles. I had a 4 pound whole chicken and put the seasoning under the skin. Then I put it in the instant pot and cooked it for almost 8 min per pound so 30 minutes. It turned out perfect! The chicken was so tender I had a hard time not eating it before I got it pulled off the bone. It had a lot of flavor. It made wonderful chicken and noodles.

      Reply
    20. Rick

      October 20, 2020 at 7:34 pm

      Tried and was yummy and was as u said; off the bone. Keep up the gr8 recipes

      Reply
      • Carmy

        October 20, 2020 at 10:15 pm

        So glad you enjoyed, Rick!

        Reply
    21. Monica Lewis

      October 23, 2020 at 10:25 am

      I think the carb count is wrong.
      Should read 13 carbs (not 31).
      5 cloves of garlic: 5g carbs
      1 lemon: 7.8g carbs

      Reply
      • Carmy

        October 26, 2020 at 11:21 am

        Thanks, Monica. All nutritional data is estimated by the recipe plugin but I’ll take a look!

        Reply
    22. Dawn Johnson

      January 17, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      Bird comes out very juicy and tender. I would suggest cutting the spices down to a 1/2 or 1/4 amount in the recipe. I made gravy out of the drippings and it was way too peppery. Or maybe substitute with a different spice combination. I also suggest putting the chicken on a trivet we pressure cooking,

      Reply
    23. H.T.

      February 03, 2021 at 8:40 pm

      Since you have the Duo Plus model, could you finish it off with the air fryer lid to brown it?

      Reply
      • Carmy

        February 03, 2021 at 10:06 pm

        I haven’t tried to but if you do, let me know!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Slow Cooker Whole Chicken - One Pot Only — easy recipes using one pot only! says:
      July 15, 2022 at 11:43 am

      […] Make a whole chicken in an Instant Pot. […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Carmy is a healthy-ish living blogger based in Ontario. Here, you can find healthy-ish meal prep recipes, Instant Pot recipes, and lightened up family favourites! Follow along as she shares what she learns along the way!

    More about me →


    Click here
    if you’d like to collaborate with Carmy

    Popular

    • Gochujang Chicken Thighs (Grilled or Stovetop)
    • Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice
    • Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken in a Dutch Oven
    • How To Make Instant Pot Poached Eggs

    Sign up to stay up to date with new recipes straight to your inbox PLUS a free ebook with 10 easy chicken recipes!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates plus a downloadable shopping list and recipes for one week's meal prep (lunches and snacks).

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Meal Preps Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes

    Copyright © 2021 Carmy — Easy Healthy-ish Recipes