Cooking A Whole Chicken In An Instant Pot

Instant Pot Whole Chicken is the best thing that you can prepare for a thanksgiving dinner. Chicken gets cooked easily in the Instant Pot and the efforts are minimal.

I am giving you two types of marinade for the chicken a spicy one and a normal juicy one. Feel free to pick which one is comfortable for you. End results speak it all, you get the juiciest whole chicken from the Instant Pot. Instant pot rotisserie chicken always makes the thanksgiving table special.

Thanksgiving is all about some great food that is the family's favorite. I usually go with some good food that is easy to prepare and a crowd pleaser. Roasted chicken in instant pot definitely ticks all the above.

Jump to:

Keto Food
Ingredients
How to set time for cooking Fresh Whole chicken in Instant Pot
Cooking Whole Chicken Instant Pot Vs Oven
FAQ's
How to cook Whole Chicken in Instant Pot
For Crispy Roasted Chicken
Tips & Variations
Serving Suggestion:
Storage Options:
Similar Recipes:
📖 Recipe

Keto Food

The whole chicken is perfect for a ketogenic diet. It is low in fat and high in protein. So it makes an ideal meal. I always serve the whole chicken roast with tandoori green chutney and mayonnaise plus some lemon wedges and onions.

You can also pair them with some pita bread or any other flatbreads for a full meal if you prefer some carbs too.

We can stuff the pita pockets with some chicken a spread of mayonnaise, Along with pickled onions and tomatoes, and serve.

Ingredients

Whole Chicken - Use chicken with skin. Always weigh the bird and then start cooking. As a practice, I usually wash the chicken with salt and turmeric powder. This is to remove the impurities if any in the chicken. Clean the chicken really well without any blood particles and then use.
Spice Powders - I am giving two types of marinade for the chicken first one is a spicy one with more Indian flavors. The second one is a less spicy version. Check the Recipe card for detailed measurements and ingredients.
Garlic bulb, Lemon, and Cilantro - We stuff the cavity of the chicken with garlic, lemon, and cilantro. These get cooked along with the chicken and then juices infuse.
Water - Add water to the inner steel pot of the Instant pot as you cook. Instead of water, you may also add chicken broth.

How to set time for cooking Fresh Whole chicken in Instant Pot

As a rule of thumb cook for 6 mins for every pound (lb). For eg if your chicken is 4 lbs you must cook for 24 mins (6 *4). If your chicken is 5 lbs you must cook for 30 mins (6* 5 ). The six minutes per pound cooking method works perfectly every single time. Make sure you use a weighing scale for accurate results and the instant pot whole chicken cooking time

Let the pressure release naturally for 15 mins and then do a quick release. This yields the best tender juicy chicken.

Cooking Whole Chicken Instant Pot Vs Oven

Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that gets the cooking comfortable and quick. While the traditional oven roasted chicken takes a considerably long time than this pressure cooker whole chicken.

First and foremost Instant Pot cooking is perfect and quick and no babysitting. Every single piece of meat falls apart from the bones and is cooked uniformly. Whereas in Oven we have to keep applying oil around and flip and cook the chicken in multiple time intervals. Also, the oven takes a long time to cook than in the Instant Pot. Instant pot whole chicken recipes are hassle-free, So I highly recommend trying them for thanks giving dinner.

FAQ's

Can I adapt the recipe for turkey?
This recipe works well for turkey too. Follow the marination and the cooking time. Always cooking time is 6 mins multiplied by the weight of the bird. And do a natural pressure release. Before that make sure you check if the turkey fits in your instant pot. If it's a young turkey it sure will go in an 8 qt or 6 qt but for a bigger bird try in 8qt and check if it fits it.

Can you cook a Frozen whole chicken in the Instant pot?
Yes very well. Wash the frozen chicken once and then pat it dry with a kitchen towel. Coat the whole chicken with oil and then apply the marinade as mentioned. Make sure you tie the legs of the chicken before freezing as it is difficult to tie for a frozen chicken. The cook time is 50 mins for a 3 lbs bird, 60 mins for a 4 lbs bird, and 70 mins for a 5 lbs bird followed by a natural pressure release. This timing is for a 6 qt Instant Pot.

How can I reuse the golden liquid at the bottom?
It makes a flavorful soup. Never discard the liquid. Use them in soups, stews, Curry, or biryani where chicken stock is required. If serving as a soup cook for 2 mins with saute option and add in extra salt, pepper, and herbs and then serve.

Why the cooking time varies based on the weight of the bird in the Instant Pot? Technically the cooking time is the same if we cook the cut chicken pieces irrespective of the weight. But this is not the case for the whole chicken. For a whole chicken, we have a cavity and open spaces and hence the cooking time is not the same. For the chicken to get cooked deep down uniformly the cooking time varies on the size of the bird.

How to cook Whole Chicken in Instant Pot

Prepare the marinade

In a mixing bowl add in all the mentioned in the marinade 1 or marinade 2. Choose any one.

2. Combine everything and form a paste.

Marinate the whole chicken

3. Now take the cleaned whole chicken. Always go for chicken with skin. It is juicier. The skin of the chicken has fat and the chicken gets cooked in its own fat making it more juicy and flavorful. So never miss this part. Now loosen the chicken skin a bit with a spoon.

4. Inside the cavity of the chicken spread in some marinade and then stuff in two garlic bulbs. I sliced the head of the garlic and then use them. Slice a lemon into two and stuff them as well. Stuff in some Cilantro and some thyme.

5. Using a brush, coat the chicken fully with the prepared marinade. I usually give a coating of the marinade under the skin and then above as well. Be generous in spreading the marinade. To make this step mess-free you may use kitchen gloves and then spread parchment paper or in a wooden cutting board and then marinate the chicken.

6. After the marination using a twine, Tie the legs of the chicken together. This helps the chicken hold its shape beautifully and makes it easier to handle the chicken. Let it marinate for 1 hour or overnight for more flavorful chicken.

Cook chicken in Instant Pot

7. Now Inside the inner pot of the Instant Pot add 1 cup of water. I am using a 6 qt Instant Pot. If using 8 qt go for 2 cups of water. And then add in the sliced lemon, Cilantro stalks, and some thyme. Place the trivet basket on top of that.

8. Next, place the marinated chicken on the trivet basket. You may also place the chicken in the basket and lower it inside the instant pot.

9. Switch on the Instant pot and select the pressure cook option. My bird is 3 lbs and hence I went with 18 mins (6* 3). Set the time as per the weight of the bird. It should be 6 minutes * the weight of the bird. Move the pressure value to the sealing position.

10. Wait for 15 mins and then release the pressure. The chicken will be too hot to handle at this time. Wait for 10 mins and remove the chicken from the instant pot.

11. Instant Pot pressure cook whole chicken is now ready but for a crispy roasted chicken we have to go an extra step

For Crispy Roasted Chicken

12. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep the whole chicken on that. Brush the chicken with a little oil or butter all over

13. Now broil the skin for 5 mins or till the skin is brown. Or you can grill the chicken in 428 F (220 C) for 7 mins.

Roasted Whole rotisserie chicken is now ready to devour.

Tips & Variations

The marination 1 is more like the Indian Tandoori Chicken it is full of flavors and will get a like from the spicy food lovers.
If you are towards less spicy food go for the marinade 2.
You can pick either the marinade 1 or 2 and follow the rest of the instructions.
You may add some Kashmiri red chili powder for a bright red color in the chicken. While the store bough roasted chicken will definitely add the red food color for the chicken.
You may also marinate and keep the chicken overnight and cook the next day. It gives more flavorful roasted chicken.
Saying that never miss applying the marinade in the cavity and beneath the skin.
Applying marinade beneath the skin helps the flavors stay intact and prevent the marinade from going away fromthe chicken.
You may get the extra golden liquid in the instant pot after cooking the chicken. Don't discard them. They are really flavorful. Use them for preparing the stock or soup or even chicken curry or biryani.
You can cook the whole chicken either in an 8 qt or 6 qt. Instant pot mini will not be able to fit in.
Before marinating the chicken as a precaution you can try inserting the chicken into the instant pot and see if it fits. Make sure you are able to close the instant pot without any disturbance.
Instant pot whole chicken and potatoes or instant pot whole chicken and rice makes the best protein and carb meal.

Serving Suggestion:

Whole Roasted chicken goes well as an appetizer. You may serve it with plenty of options.

Creamed Corn - Serve the sliced roasted chicken with some creamed corn.
Chicken goes well with the cilantro Chutney along with mayonnaise, pickled onions, and tomatoes. Serve with some lemon wedges too.
You may stuff the chicken in some Pita bread and serve it along with onion, tomatoes, Cilantro.
You can also stuff in some homemade tortillas .
Also goes well with some tzatziki sauce.

Storage Options:

You can store the roasted chicken in the fridge for 2 days and freeze it for up to 2 weeks. Rather than freezing or storing it as a whole chicken, I prefer slicing them into portions and then storing them in airtight containers or zip lock bags.

Similar Recipes:

Instant Pot Butter Chicken | Murgh Makhani
Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Curry Leaves Chicken Roast | Naatu Kozhi Karuvepillai Varuval
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

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📖 Recipe

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Roast

Instant Pot Whole Chicken is the easiest and best way to cook a whole chicken easily. The chicken gets cooked tender and juicy.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 289 kcal

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

3 lbs Whole Chicken 1.3kg approximately

Marinade 1

⅓ cup Yogurt
3 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
1 tbsp red chilli powder
1.5 tbsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
¼ tsp Turmeric powder
2 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Pepper Powder
Salt as needed
2 tbsp Oil

Marinade 2

1 tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Onion Powder
2 tbsp mixed dried herbs
1 tbsp Paprika Powder
2 tsp Salt or as needed
1 tsp Pepper powder
1 tbsp Oil

Stuffing inside the whole Chicken

2 bulb Garlic
2 sprig Thyme
Cilantro
1 Lemon sliced

Liquid inside the Instant Pot

1 cup Water
Cilantro stalks
½ Lemon
2 sprig Thyme

In a mixing bowl add in all the mentioned in the marinade 1 or marinade 2.
Combine everything and form a paste.
Now take the cleaned whole chicken. Always go for chicken with skin. It is juicier. The skin of the chicken has fat and the chicken gets cooked in its own fat making it more juicy and flavorful. So never miss this part. Now loosen the chicken skin a bit with a spoon.
Inside the cavity of the chicken spread in some marinade and then stuff in two garlic bulbs. I slice the head of the garlic and then use them. Slice a lemon into two and stuff them as well. Stuff in some Cilantro and some thyme.
Using a brush, coat the chicken completely with the prepared marinade. I usually give a coating of the marinade under the skin and then above as well. Be generous in spreading the marinade. To make this step mess-free you may use kitchen gloves and then spread parchment paper or in a wooden cutting board and then marinate the chicken.
After the marination using a twine, Tie the legs of the chicken together. This helps the chicken hold its shape beautifully and makes it easier to handle the chicken.
Now Inside the inner pot of the Instant Pot add 1 cup of water. I am using a 6 qt Instant Pot. If using 8 qt go for 2 cups of water. And then add in the sliced lemon, Cilantro stalks, and some thyme. Place the trivet basket on top of that.
Next, place the marinated chicken on the trivet basket. You may also place the chicken in the basket and lower it inside the instant pot.
Switch on the Instant pot and select the pressure cook option. My bird is 3 lbs and hence I went with 18 mins (6* 3). Set the time as per the weight of the bird. It should be 6 minutes * the weight of the bird. Move the pressure value to the sealing position.
Wait for 15 mins and then release the pressure. The chicken will be too hot to handle at this time. Wait for 10 mins and remove the chicken from the instant pot.
Instant Pot Whole chicken is now ready but for a crispy roasted chicken we have to go an extra step

For Crispy Roasted Chicken

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep the whole chicken on that. Brush the chicken with a little oil or butter all over
Now broil the skin for 5 mins or till the skin is brown. Or you can grill the chicken in 428 F (220 C) for 7 mins.

Keyword instant pot chicken whole, instant pot roasted chicken, instant pot rotisserie chicken, Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.