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Instant Pot Whole Chicken

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A fast and flavorful whole chicken cooked in an Instant Pot, yielding juicy meat and delicious broth for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 45 lbs)
  • 2 lemons, juiced (about 23 tablespoons)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Combine the lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, paprika, and olive oil in a small bowl. Stir to make a loose paste.
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the seasoning mix all over the chicken, getting some under the skin over the breast for better flavor penetration. Tuck the wings and tie the legs if desired.
  3. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot insert. Place the metal trivet inside and set the seasoned chicken on the trivet breast-side up.
  4. Close the lid, seal the valve, and cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes for a 4–5 lb bird.
  5. When the timer finishes, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the valve to quick-release any remaining pressure.
  6. Use tongs to lift the chicken out onto a cutting board. Let it rest for 8–10 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Optional: For crisp skin, place the chicken under a hot broiler for 3–5 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can rub softened butter with herbs under the skin before cooking. Adjust cooking times if using a frozen chicken.