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–+ servings

whole chicken in the instant pot

Learn how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot in just 45 minutes! This easy recipe uses simple dried spices, lemon, and onion for a juicy, flavorful chicken perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: how long to cook chicken in a pressure cooker, instant pot roasted chicken, Instant pot rotisserie chicken, instant pot whole chicken, Pressure cooker whole chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
natural release time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Nichole Crews

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, approx 4-5lbs
  • 3 tablespoons Kosher salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons pepper, divided
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil - or avocado oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 lemon halved
  • 1 cup chicken broth, or water

Instructions

  • Remove all parts from the chicken cavity (usually in a bag); rinse and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Salt the cavity with half of the salt and pepper. Place onion and lemon in the cavity of the chicken. Using kitchen twine, tie the legs of the chicken.
  • Mix the remaining salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder together to create a spice rub. Coat half of mixture on the breast side of the chicken. Flip and season the other half of the whole chicken with the spice rub.
  • Turn the Instant Pot to the SAUTÉ setting. Add 1 tbsp oil. Place the chicken, breast side down, in the preheated Instant Pot.
  • Allow the breast side to crisp up, 4-5 minutes. Carefully flip the chicken over to the other side, 4-5 more minutes.
  • Add the trivet your electric pressure cooker came with, and place whole chicken over trivet, breast side up. Add in the chicken stock, or water.
  • Place the lid on and make sure the vent is in the sealed position. Set to manual HIGH pressure for 25 minutes. Once done, allow the Instant Pot to depressurize naturally, about 10-12 minutes. Release any remaining pressure using a wooden spoon.
  • Remove from Instant Pot. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish, or cutting board. Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Make sure to remove kitchen twine, onion and lemon from cavity before carving.

Notes

  • Optional to brown if serving chicken more rotisserie-style for meal prep.
  • Also optional to use lemon and onion in the cavity as aromatics, if using for meal prep for other recipes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 14g
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