How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

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Cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot is one of the easiest ways to make a juicy, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re working with a fresh chicken or a thawed chicken, this method gives you tender chicken in a fraction of the time it takes to roast chicken in the oven. It’s perfect for beginners, great for meal prep, and gives you lots of leftover chicken for things like chicken salad, soups, or sandwiches.

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What You’ll Need to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

• 1 whole fresh chicken (use the general rule of 6 minutes per pound of chicken)
• 1 cup water or chicken broth
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt and black pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper, or dry rub of choice
• Optional: fresh garlic or fresh herbs placed inside the cavity of the chicken

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

Prepare the Chicken

Start by unwrapping your chicken. If it’s a whole fresh chicken or a thawed chicken, remove any packaging and check the cavity of the chicken for a bag of giblets or the neck—these are often tucked inside. You can save them for making chicken stock if you like. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry on all sides. Dry skin helps the seasoning stick and can improve the texture of the skin if you plan to crisp it up later.

Add Liquid to the Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup of water or chicken broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot. This is essential because pressure cooking requires liquid to create steam. You can use plain water, but chicken broth adds extra flavor. Either works great depending on what you have on hand.

Place the Chicken in the Instant Pot

Insert a trivet or silicone sling into the pot to keep the chicken lifted off the bottom. Carefully place the whole bird onto the trivet, breast side facing up. This positioning helps the meat stay juicy, especially the white meat, and makes it easier to lift out later.

Season the Chicken

Rub the outside of the chicken with olive oil or avocado oil. This gives it a nice color and helps the seasoning stick. Then, season generously with salt and black pepper. For more flavor, sprinkle on garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper, or any dry rub you love. You can also stuff the cavity of the chicken with fresh garlic, lemon slices, or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to infuse the meat with extra flavor while it cooks.

Set Your Cook Time

Secure the lid on your electric pressure cooker and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode on high pressure. Use the general rule of 6 minutes per pound of chicken to determine your cook time.

• For example, a 4-pound chicken = 24 minutes cook time
• A 5-pound chicken = 30 minutes cook time
• Make sure you know the exact pound chicken you’re using to avoid undercooking or drying it out.

Natural Pressure Release

Once the cook time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to do a full natural pressure release. This means you don’t touch the valve—just let the pressure drop on its own. This usually takes 15–20 minutes depending on the size of your chicken. A natural release allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender. Wait until all remaining pressure is released and the float valve drops before opening the lid.

Check for Doneness

Open the lid carefully, tilting it away from you to avoid steam burns. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches 165°F. If it’s not quite there, you can cook it for a few more minutes using the high pressure setting or finish it in the oven.

Broil for Crispy Skin (optional)

If you love crispy chicken skin, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and place it under the broiler in your oven for 4–5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Alternatively, if you have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot, use that to crisp the top of the chicken right inside the pot.

Let it Rest and Serve

Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to settle, giving you tender chicken every time. Carve and serve as-is, or shred it for meal prep.

Helpful Tips

• This is a great recipe to use for making homemade chicken stock afterward—just save the bones.
• If using a frozen whole chicken, make sure it fits into the Instant Pot and does not have any plastic or the bag of giblets inside. You will need to increase the cooking time and cannot season under the skin unless it’s thawed.
• You can also use the sauté function before pressure cooking to quickly brown the top of the chicken for extra flavor.
• If using the air fryer lid after pressure cooking, you can crisp the skin right in the pot without using a baking sheet.

Storing Leftovers

Once your cooked chicken has cooled, store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover chicken for later meals.

Serving Suggestions 

This Instant Pot chicken pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, or a side salad. It’s like having rotisserie chicken right from the grocery store, but homemade.

Important note: Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken, whether it’s bone chicken or boneless, and whether you’re using fresh or frozen whole chicken. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness and let any remaining pressure release naturally unless a quick release is required in your Instant Pot manual.

Conclusion

Cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot is not only simple, but it’s also one of the best ways to get a flavorful, juicy meal on the table with less time and effort. With just a few ingredients and a reliable cook time based on the size of your chicken, you’ll have a delicious, home-cooked main dish that’s perfect for dinner, meal prep, or using in your favorite leftover chicken recipes. Once you try this method, you may never go back to traditionally roasted chicken again.

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