• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Instant Pot Chicken Recipes Easy Chicken Recipes Main Courses April 23, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 448 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Learn to make a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Made with a homemade rotisserie seasoning, this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken results in a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in under 60 minutes.

    Learn to make a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Made with homemade rotisserie seasoning, this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken results in a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in under 60 minutes.

    This Instant Pot "Rotisserie-Style" Chicken is a favorite Instant Pot Chicken Recipe. It is perfect to enjoy for a family dinner or to use in leftover rotisserie chicken recipes.

    Rotissiere Chicken made in Instant Pot sitting on cutting board with pressure cooker in background.


    I held off making a whole chicken in the Instant Pot for a long time. I love my recipe for Homemade Rotisserie Chicken made in the oven, so why mess with a good thing?

    I am so glad I decided to start experimenting because Instant Pot Whole Chicken is about the best thing since sliced bread. Just like my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Instant Pot Chicken Thighs making a whole chicken in the Instant Pot results in the most flavorful, tender, juicy chicken you will ever have. The meat literally falls off the bone and each bite of chicken is oozing with juiciness.

    I predict this Instant Pot Rotisserie-Style Chicken is going to quickly become a new favorite recipe at your house. It is a simple, economical recipe that is worthy of a Sunday family dinner, or it can be used for any recipe calling for leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken.

    What you Need

    Raw chicken sitting on cutting board.
    • Whole Chicken: This recipe is designed for a fresh or thawed whole chicken. The one important note to consider is to make sure your chicken fits inside the instant pot. I have found that for a  6-quart model, you can prepare up to a 5-½ pound whole chicken, and for an 8-quart model, you can typically fit a 6-½ pound whole chicken. If you find that your chicken does not fit inside your inner pot, use my oven-roasted chicken recipe.
    • Onion & Lemon: I add lemon and onion to the cavity of the chicken to help add flavor to the meat. However, you can omit one or both if you don't have an onion or lemon on hand. 
    • Homemade Rotisserie Blend: This spice blend is made with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Feel free to omit the cayenne pepper if you are sensitive to heat, but the blend itself is not spicy, as very little is used. You can replace the seasoning blend with your favorite spice blends, such as Homemade Poultry Seasoning, Seasoned Salt, or a Cajun seasoning.
    • Water: As you know, you need liquid to reach and maintain pressure. I recommend using water when cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, as there are minimal differences in flavor when using a liquid such as broth or beer.
    • Trivet: It is best to cook a whole chicken on the metal rack or trivet that came with your electric pressure cooker. This will keep the skin from becoming soggy AND prevent a potential burn notice.  

    How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

    This chicken recipe is one of the easiest Instant Pot Recipes you can make. However, if you are new to using an Instant Pot, you may first want to check out How to Use an Instant Pot to familiarize yourself with some of the terms and steps.

    • Place the trivet or rack inside the pressure cooker. 
    • Pour in 1 cup water of cold water for a 6-quart model and 1-½ cups for an 8-quart model. Be sure to use cold tap water, not warm water. Using warm water will cause the instant pot to come to pressure faster, which ultimately changes the cooking time needed. 
    • In a small bowl combine the seasonings for the spice rub.
    Spices for rotisserie chicken blend in small bowl.
    • Remove any plastic or metal pieces from the chicken and the giblets from inside the cavity of the chicken. Pat dry with a paper towel. 
    • Generously sprinkle the spice rub over the chicken, using your hands to rub the spice blend into the skin of the chicken. Be sure to season both sides of the chicken. 
    Seasoned whole chicken on cutting board.
    • Place the chicken, breast side up on the rack inside the prepared Instant Pot. 
    Seasoned whole chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
    • Wash your hands well, and then place the lid on the Instant Pot, being sure to set the vent knob to the sealed position.
    • Set to cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes per pound, by using the manual or pressure cook button, and then hitting the +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time.  
    • After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 15-20 minutes. This will ensure the meat stays tender and juicy.
    • After 10 minutes of natural release. you can do a quick release of remaining pressure by using a long utensil to hit the vent knob valve from sealing to venting. Just be sure to stand away from the valve to prevent being burned by steam.
    • Use a digital thermometer, inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, to check to ensure the temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees F. If the temperature is below 165 degrees F, place the lid back on the pressure cooker and cook for an additional 2 minutes for every 5 degrees below 165 degrees.
    Thermometer inserted into a whole chicken reading 165.2 degrees F.

    Note: It is NORMAL for the meat to pull away from the bones after pressure cooking. It will still be incredibly juicy and delicious.

    • If desired, you can crisp up the skin by placing the chicken onto a sheet pan, brushing the skin with oil, and broiling for 2-4 minutes, watching closely so as to not burn the chicken. 
    Whole Chicken on baking sheet after being broiled.
    • Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute.
    • Slice the chicken into pieces and serve as desired. And don't forget to save the bones to make Instant Pot Chicken Stock.
    Chicken on a plate next to salad.

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken Video

    If you learn better through a step-by-step video, watch me prepare this whole chicken in my kitchen.

    Serving Suggestions

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken is perfect for serving as the star of dinner along with a side of Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots or a side salad. This Instant Pot Chicken is perfect for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. Some of my favorite recipes are shared below.

    • Creamy Chicken and Rice
    • Creamy Parmesan Chicken Casserole
    • Chicken Waldorf Salad
    • Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
    • Easy Chicken Enchiladas

    Determining Cooking Time

    The length of cooking time for a whole chicken in the Instant Pot will vary based on the size of your chicken. A safe rule of thumb is to cook your chicken on HIGH pressure for 6 minutes per pound with a natural pressure release of at least 15-20 minutes for perfectly cooked chicken.

    • 3-pound chicken: 18 minutes on high pressure
    • 4-pound chicken: 24 minutes on high pressure
    • 5-pound chicken: 30 minutes on high pressure

    To account for an additional ½ pound, add an additional d 3 minutes to the total cooking time. For example, if you were cooking a 3-½ pound chicken cook for 21 minutes (6 minutes per pound + 3 minutes per half a pound).

    Please Note: If your chicken seems like it is really thick (the chicken breasts are on the larger side) you may want to increase the time to 7 minutes per pound.

    Air Fryer Option

    If you happen to have an air fryer lid that fits on your Instant Pot, you can use your air fryer lid to crisp up the skin right inside the Instant Pot. After pressure cooking, use an air fryer lid on your pressure cooker to crisp up the skin. Set to 400 degrees F and air fry for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy.

    Instant Pot Frozen Whole Chicken

    You CAN cook a whole frozen chicken in the Instant Pot if your frozen chicken already has the innards/gizzards removed and has no plastic ties around the feet. You will not be able to remove a plastic insert or bag of gizzards from a frozen chicken. Therefore, you can not put a frozen chicken with either of those items into your pressure cooker.

    If you have a chicken that comes without the gizzards or plastic clamp around the legs, you would need to increase the time by 5 minutes per pound, for a total of 11 minutes per pound, with a natural pressure release of 20 minutes.

    More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

    Looking for more Instant Pot Chicken Recipes? These are a few fan favorites!

    • Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
    • Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
    • Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

    If you make and enjoy this Instant Pot Whole Chicken, I would love for you to leave a comment and your five-star rating below – it will make my day!

    Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Make a perfectly juicy, rotisserie-style chicken in under 60 minutes with this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken.
    4.71 from 238 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 299kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 whole chicken innards removed
    • 1 lemon cut in half
    • 1 onion peeled and cut in half
    • 1 recipe Rotisserie seasoning recipe below

    Rotisserie Seasoning

    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoons pepper
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • dash of cayenne pepper
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    Homemade Rotisserie Seasoning

    • In a small bowl, combine the dried spices with salt and pepper until well combined.

    For Pressure Cooker Whole Roasted Chicken

    • Place a trivet inside the inner pot of the instant pot and pour in 1 cup of COLD tap water into the instant pot for a 6-quart instant pot and 1.5 cups of water if you have an 8 quart instant pot. 
    • Be sure to remove any plastic or metal from your chicken. And remove any innards and giblets from inside the chicken. Pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken on both sides, using your hands to pat the seasoning mixture on the chicken.
    • Place the lemon and onion inside the cavity of the chicken and place the seasoned chicken on the trivet inside the instant pot. 
    • Wash your hands well, and then place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the vent valve is sealed.
    • Set to cook on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound. If your chicken seems like it is really thick (the chicken breasts are large) you may want to increase the cooking time to 7 minutes per pound.
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15-20 minutes. Once the pressure has been released, remove the lid, and insert a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh. Be sure it has reached 165 degrees F.
    • Remove the chicken from Instant Pot and place it onto a cutting board and let the chicken rest for an additional 10 minutes for the juices to redistribute. Discard the onion/lemon/etc from the cavity of the chicken and slice and enjoy.

    Optional Browning Step

    • Broiling Option: Cook the chicken as directed in your pressure cooker. After removing the chicken from your instant pot, transfer it to a baking sheet. Brush with oil and place under broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely so as to not burn the chicken. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before enjoying the chicken.
    • Air Fryer Lid Option: After pressure cooking, use an air fryer lid on your pressure cooker to crisp up the skin. Set to 400 degrees F and air fry for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before enjoying the chicken.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    Cooking Times
    • 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 additional pound add 6 minutes, for every half a pound add 3 minutes to the total cooking time for a whole chicken.
    Frozen Whole Chicken: If cooking a frozen whole chicken, be sure innards are removed and plastic or metal clamp is removed BEFORE freezing and cook for 11 minutes per pound. 
    Seasoning Blend: The recipe for rub will easily cover a 6-8 pound chicken. If using a smaller sized chicken, you will only need half the rub. You can make the entire batch and then save half the rub for another time. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1255mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 752IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This recipe was originally shared in 2019 and updated in 2023.

    « Instant Pot Lentil Soup
    Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. David Hampton

      August 14, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy and delicious !!!
      Made gravy right in toe pot also. I had seen that done somewhere. Just add flour to the juices about 2 T spoons. Use the Sauté setting and store constantly til thickened.

      Reply
    2. Beth

      August 09, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE this recipe! It's delicious and easy.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 09, 2021 at 8:01 pm

        Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    3. Lynda

      August 08, 2021 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Kristen,
      I came across a good deal on split chicken breasts (with ribs) that are about 3.5lbs per pack. Would this work in the instant pot? How would the timings change?
      Thx so much for all your wonderful recipes & tips.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 09, 2021 at 7:02 am

        Hi Lynda! Split chicken breasts will work great. I would rub with the seasoning and place on the rack as you would a whole chicken. As for the cooking time, I would set based on the largest chicken breast and cook for 6 minutes per pound. So if there are 3 to a pack, I would say each breast weighs just under 1.5 pounds and would suggest cooking for 8 minutes. I hope that made sense 🙂

        Reply
    4. Marian

      July 09, 2021 at 1:02 am

      5 stars
      I LOVE this recipe! I’ve made it at least eight times in the last few years. We love the natural au jus over cauliflower rice or quinoa. I’ve always wanted to know if it’s safe to eat the onion that was in the cavity of the chicken. Anyone?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 09, 2021 at 7:53 am

        Hi Marian! I am so glad you enjoy this recipe so much! We do as well. As long as your chicken is cooked through, that onion is perfectly safe to eat.

        Reply
    5. Rodney

      July 04, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      4 stars
      I just love these recipes in my instant pot it's so good

      Reply
    6. Billie

      May 30, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Everybody liked it and it was very easy! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 31, 2021 at 7:21 am

        Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Billie!

        Reply
    7. MaryM

      May 26, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this tonight and it came out great. I thickened the pan juices with a cornstarch slurry and they liked the gravy as well My brother is eager to try the spice blend on a chicken on the grill

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 27, 2021 at 7:05 am

        So happy to hear you enjoyed! And the spice rub is great on just about everything!

        Reply
    8. Vannessa

      May 04, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! The chicken came out so tender and flavorful!
      Do you ever broil it at the end to get the skin crispy?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 05, 2021 at 6:28 am

        Glad you enjoyed Vannessa! Yes, I broil all the time to achieve a crispy texture. There are directions for how to do so in the post and recipe card 🙂

        Reply
      • Danialle

        May 17, 2021 at 4:55 pm

        I have the air fryer top for my Instant pot. After I pressure cook my chicken, I lift out the chicken by the trivet. I then insert the metal trivet that came with the air fryer top, place chicken on that trivet, place air fryer top on the instant pot and set timer. Voila crispy chicken

        Reply
        • Rachel Phelan

          June 01, 2021 at 1:28 am

          Genius idea! I'm making this tomorrow and will crisp it up with my air fryer lid!!! Thanks for sharing!

          Reply
    9. Debbie

      April 13, 2021 at 6:07 pm

      The post says to use 2C liquid for an 8 qt. Instant the printable recipe reads 1.5 C liquid. Which one yields better results?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 14, 2021 at 7:06 am

        Hi Debbie. I would use 1.5 cups. I will be sure to correct that mistake. Sorry about that.

        Reply
        • Lekha

          June 21, 2021 at 2:33 am

          Can I make this recipe with skinless chicken?

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            June 21, 2021 at 6:35 am

            Absolutely! No changes to the ingredients.

            Reply
    10. Linda

      April 06, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      This is a great double recipe. First to cook the whole bird and then make broth from the carcass. I did this yesterday. The only thing I added was to put some softened butter under the skin of the chicken. The juice from this chicken is so full of flavor. The broth was also good. I mixed the two to be able to make a nice portion of chicken soup.

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Learn to make a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Made with a homemade rotisserie seasoning, this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken results in a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in under 60 minutes.

    Meet Kristen

    Kristen Chidsey with apron on in front of vegetables in kitchen.

    Hi! I'm Kristen. It is my honor and passion to share easy, wholesome recipes with you to in turn share your loved ones. These tried and true recipes will help you make delicious, family-friendly meals without stress! Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Instant Pot Egg Bites
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)
    • Bowl of Instant Pot Mexican Rice
      Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Reader Favorites

    • Chicken and Rice Casserole plated on gray plate next to steamed broccoli.
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • Baked Beans in white casserole dish
      Old Fashioned Baked Beans
    • Assembled Burger on wooden cutting board
      The Best Burger Recipe
    • Taco Meat in skillet with wooden spoon
      The Best Taco Meat Recipe
    • Rotini Pasta Bake next to salad
      Easy Baked Rotini
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Bowl of Crispy potatoes next to air fryer.
      Air Fryer Potatoes
    • Bowl of slow cooker oatmeal topped with maple syrup and nuts
      Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    Footer

    Learn to make a whole chicken right in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Made with a homemade rotisserie seasoning, this recipe for Instant Pot Whole Chicken results in a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in under 60 minutes.

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM