Wondering how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot? I've got you covered? You're going to love how tender and juicy this Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is! Gran your electric pressure cooker and enjoy this easy Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken recipe today!

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Why You'll Love This Whole Chicken Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: This Instant Pot roast chicken recipe makes cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot simple.
- Tender and Juicy: Pressure cooking whole chicken creates a perfectly moist and tender chicken.
- Versatile Meal: Leftover rotisserie chicken can be repurposed for salads, sandwiches, or added to soups.
Recipe Ingredients
- Whole Chicken: The main ingredient, it's cooked to juicy perfection in the Instant Pot.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and flavor, helping to keep the chicken tender and delicious.
- Bay Leaves: Infuse the chicken with a subtle, herbal aroma that complements its natural flavor.
- Lemon Wedges: Provide a burst of freshness and acidity, brightening up the overall taste of the chicken.
- Melted Butter: Gives the chicken a rich, buttery flavor and helps to crisp up the skin.
- Thyme, Paprika, Rosemary, Garlic Salt, Pepper: Create a savory and aromatic seasoning blend, enhancing the flavor of the chicken.
How To Cook Instant Pot Whole Chicken?
- Add the trivet to the Instant Pot and pour in chicken broth. Add bay leaves and lemon wedges.
- Place the chicken on top of the trivet and close the lid.
- Cook on manual for 30 minutes and then quick release the steam from the Instant Pot.
- Melt one stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then add herbs and stir thoroughly.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and pour the butter mixture over the top.
- Place in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes. Baste the chicken every 10 minutes with the butter drippings in the baking dish.

Tips For Pressure Cooking Whole Chicken
- Crisp Up: Cooking Chicken in the pressure cooker whether fresh or using a whole frozen chicken will result in a tender juicy chicken. To crisp up this Instant Pot roasted chicken be sure to bake or air fry for a further 30 minutes.
- Flavor: This is a basic whole chicken Instant Pot recipe with. seasoning blend. If you wish, you can add a different flavor, such as lemon pepper rub or another seasoning of your liking.
Substitutions
- Chicken Stock: You can switch the chicken broth for chicken stock. The cooked chicken will come out just as juicy.
- Garlic Salt: You can switch garlic salt for garlic powder if that's what you have in the pantry.
How To Store Leftover Chicken
- Storage: After your whole chicken has graced the table, let it cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container or wrap it up securely with aluminum foil.
- Freezing: Label the container then freeze your whole chicken for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: If your whole chicken has been on a cold adventure, thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven or on the grill. Enjoy a delicious encore with your perfectly roasted whole chicken!
What To Serve With Roast Chicken?
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Mash potatoes with butter or cream, for a velvety and slightly sweet accompaniment.
- Herb-Infused Quinoa: Add Quinoa with fresh herbs like parsley and dill, creating a light and aromatic side to complement the savory chicken.
- Green Beans: Cook Green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple yet elegant side that adds a touch of crunch.
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes: Roast diced potatoes with rosemary and garlic until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside – a classic favorite.
FAQ'S
You might not be adding in enough liquid when you’re cooking the chicken. Liquid is a crucial part of the recipe so make certain that you’re measuring it out carefully when you’re adding it into the Instant Pot.
Yes, you can cook a frozen chicken in the Instant Pot for approximately 75 minutes on high pressure.
After cooking the chicken in the Instant Pot we like to pop the whole chicken into the oven to get the crispy skin found on an oven-roasted chicken. You can also use the Instant Pot air fryer lid to crisp up your rotisserie chicken.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken medium around 4.5lbs
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Lemon Cut in Wedges
- 1 Stick Butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Add trivet to instant pot and pour in chicken broth, add bay leaves, and lemon wedges. Place chicken on top of trivet and close lid.
- Cook on manual for 30 minutes and then quick release steam from instant pot.
- Melt one stick of butter in microwave safe bowl, then add herbs and stir thoroughly. Place chicken in baking dish and pour butter mixture over the top.
- Place in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Baste the chicken every 10 minutes with the butter drippings in baking dish.
Notes
- Crisp Up: Cooking Chicken in the pressure cooker whether fresh or using a whole frozen chicken will result in a tender juicy chicken. To crisp up this Instant Pot roasted chicken be sure to bake or air fry for a further 30 minutes.
- Flavor: This is a basic whole chicken Instant Pot recipe with. seasoning blend. If you wish, you can add a different flavor, such as lemon pepper rub or another seasoning of your liking.
This was super easy to follow!! Thank you!
Ah I am glad you found it useful! We love cooking chicken in the instant pot.
I have to try this.
It's so simple and easy to make.
Is it a frozen whole chicken? Looks great!
Yes this is from frozen.