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Home » Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 7 Comments

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This Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe is a healthy instant pot recipe that will streamline your weeknight dinner routine! Healthy instant pot recipes FTW!

up close shot of instant pot whole chicken with fresh herbs

Instant Pot Whole Chicken – a healthy instant pot chicken recipe!

This Instant Pot whole chicken recipe is basically the best news since sliced bread. We eat rotisserie chicken on the weekly– there’s nothing like a warm rotisserie + salad kit kinda night.

But when I think about making a whole chicken recipe at home I’m reminded of the holiday season – Thanksgiving, Christmas, even Easter…. because it takes WAY TOO MUCH TIME.

But ummmm that’s until we met the Instant Pot.

Now cooking a whole chicken and being in the kitchen all day long, doesn’t have to be for special occasions and holidays, with your IP you’ll have a chicken dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. 

overhead shot of cooked whole chicken with fresh rosemary and lemon

So I got to thinking… What if I want to enjoy a whole chicken outside the realm of the holiday season?? No way am I going to cook a whole chicken all day long when my to-do list is endless!

Enter the Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe! A healthy, fix it and forget it type of meal that will fancify your weeknight dinners and leave the entire family with happy bellies!

overhead shot of instant pot with whole chicken, fresh herbs, chicken broth and lemons

How long do you bake a whole chicken?

Baking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot takes an average of 25 minutes depending on the weight of the whole chicken.  

The magic formula is 6 minutes X pound of chicken. 

For this specific recipe, using a 3.5 pound broiler whole chicken, the cook time is 21 minutes after it reaches pressure.

overhead shot of cooked whole chicken with fresh rosemary and lemons

Can you use frozen chicken in the instant pot?

Absolutely! Being able to cook frozen chicken in almost no time is one of the many reasons I’m a true believer in the Instant Pot.

Keep in mind that the cook time will be slightly longer than thawed chicken. Also, if you’re cooking a frozen whole chicken, cook time will increase to an average of 35-45 minutes!

cooked whole chicken with fork pulling out white meat from center of chicken

uncooked whole chicken in instant pot with lemon and fresh herbs

Do you put water in the pressure cooker?

Yes, most Instant Pot chicken recipes will call for water. This is what helps create a tender and juicy piece of meat and helps to get the IP up to pressure!

For this instant pot whole chicken recipe, you’ll just need a cup of water or broth in the bottom of the pot.

I also like to use the wire rack that comes with the IP so the chicken isn’t sitting in water and skin can stay crispy. 

close up shot of fork pulling white meat from cooked whole chicken with fresh herbs and lemon

The simplicity of this Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is just another reason to love it! All you need is…

  • Instant Pot
  • Whole Broiler Chicken
  • Spices/Fresh Herbs
  • Lemons
  • Butter
  • Water
  • Less than 30 minutes! 

close up shot of fork pulling white meat from cooked whole chicken with fresh herbs and lemon

That’s it you guys! If you haven’t caught on yet, I’m all about simplified weeknight dinenrs that are healthy and flavorful. And this whole chicken in the instant pot is just that!

If you’re like me and want fast, healthy and delicious meals on the table for the entire fam, you’ve come to the right place!

overhead shot of cooked whole chicken with rosemary sprigs, fresh herbs and lemon slices

More Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes:

  • Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

  • Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice

  • Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken and Broccoli

  • Instant Pot Easy Shredded Chicken

Print

Instant Pot Whole Chicken


★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 1 whole chicken 1x
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Description

This Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe is a healthy instant pot recipe that will streamline your weeknight dinner routine! Healthy instant pot recipes FTW!


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 whole broiler chicken (2.5–4.5 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • salt and pepper
  • Italian seasoning
  • ground paprika
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4–6 springs fresh rosemary

Instructions

  1. In an Instant Pot, pour in broth or water; insert wire rack that comes with the pressure cooker.
  2. Before removing product packaging, note weight of chicken.
  3. Remove any parts from cavity of the bird; place whole chicken on wire rack, breast side up.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together butter garlic and ginger.
  5. Press butter on top and underneath skin of chicken.
  6. Season skin liberally with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
  7. Stuff lemon and rosemary springs into cavity, and place at least 2 lemon slices on legs of chicken.
  8. Place lid on Instant Pot and seal the valve.
  9. Cook chicken on Poultry setting at high pressure f0r 6 minutes per pound.
  10. Once chicken is done cooking, quick release valve to depressurize instant pot and insert meat thermometer into the chicken to verify 165 degrees.
  11. If you like crispy skin, place chicken in roasting pan or baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil and broil chicken in oven for 5 minutes until skin is golden brown.

Notes

  • Before removing product packaging, note weight of whole chicken.
  • This recipe was created in a 6 quart instant pot.
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: instant pot whole chicken, instant pot whole chicken recipe, whole chicken recipes, instant pot chicken recipes, healthy instant pot recipes

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Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

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Comments

  1. Dannii says

    March 22, 2019 at 5:49 am

    We do this too and then shred it up for meals in the week. Such a great time saver!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. jordin says

    March 22, 2019 at 3:59 am

    I love using my instant pot for dinner like this!! It makes the cooking time so much shorter & they end up tasting so amazing and flavorful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Adriana says

    March 22, 2019 at 3:25 am

    so many yummy dishes can be made on the IP I need to try this recipe for chicken looks fantastic and effortless

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Eileen Kelly says

    March 22, 2019 at 3:20 am

    The Instant Pot has really become a great tool to use in the kitchen! I love your recipe for roasted chicken! We are all so busy and this is my families perfect recipe to use for a great dinner! I love how easy the recipe is and the chicken is delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Sharon says

    March 21, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    I love this recipe for making a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot! Looks so easy and delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken | IP Chicken Breast and Thighs Recipe says:
    May 6, 2019 at 11:38 am

    […] using shredded chicken breast. Some of my personal favs are Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice, Instant Pot Whole Chicken, and Instant Pot Chicken […]

    Reply
  2. Healthy Shredded Chicken Recipes | What To Make With Shredded Chicken? says:
    April 2, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    […] Instant Pot Whole Chicken  […]

    Reply

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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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