Instant Pot Whole Chicken

I’m always tempted to buy those whole rotisserie chickens at the grocery store. They always smell so good and make for an easy dinner. I wanted to try making a whole chicken at home to save money and I like the idea of being able to monitor the seasonings being used and such.

Instant Pot Recipes have been a game changer for my family. For those days that I forget to set something out, this Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is a quick and tasty solution. You may also like these instant pot chicken recipes, Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore, Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe and Instant Pot Chicken and Rice.

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking a whole chicken is a great way to use it to make tacos, sandwiches and other chicken recipes for the week. We stock up on whole chickens when they go on sale at the grocery store. This helps us save a lot of money by buying when prices are the lowest.

The flavor of this chicken is so delicious and I love that I can change the seasoning to what I have on hand.

Ingredients

• Whole Chicken – I use the 4-6 lb size chicken.
• Chicken Broth – If you are out, see Chicken broth substitutes
• Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
• Paprika – See Best Paprika Substitute if you are out
• Italian Seasoning – Learn How to Make Italian Seasoning Recipe
• Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute if you are out

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Gravy – Use the drippings from the chicken to make a gravy to serve over your chicken and side dishes.
• Seasoning – Feel free to change the seasoning to add flavor to the chicken. Cayenne Pepper gives the flavor a hint of spice, onion powder and oregano is also a great addition.
• Chicken Cavity – For even more flavor, you can add vegetables to the chicken cavity. Add in lemon, celery and carrots.

How to Make Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Step 1 – Put the trivet rack that comes with the instant pot inside the pot. You need this so the chicken is not sitting in the broth and juice.

Step 2 – Pour the chicken broth in the pot.

Step 3 – Add the whole chicken on top of the trivet. Place it so the breast is racing up.

Step 4 – If you have a basting brush, rub the olive oil all over the skin of the chicken.

Step 5 – Get a small bowl and mix the seasonings together. Take the seasoning mixture and sprinkle it all over the chicken.

• Step 7 – Finally, seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure. Do this for 6 minutes per pound of the whole chicken you use for this recipe with a 15 minutes natural release.

• Step 8 – For example, the chicken I used was 5 pounds so I cooked my chicken on high pressure for 30 minutes with a 15 minute natural release.
• Step 9 – Once finished, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy! Then slice and serve. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Pressure Cooking – After cooking the whole chicken, make sure to allow the 15 minute natural release which ensures that the chicken finishes cooking.
• Instant Pot Recommendation – Make sure to use the correct size of instant pot when cooking the whole chicken. Check out these The 6 Best Multicookers of 2024.
• Trivet – When cooking a whole chicken, we recommend using the trivet that came with the instant pot so you can easily remove the chicken after it has finished cooking.

Serving Suggestions

This whole chicken is delicious meal idea. Add side dishes to make a complete meal. These are some of our favorites.

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Green Beans
• Instant Pot Twice Baked Potatoes Casserole Recipe
• Parmesan Pasta
• Instant pot white rice 
• Steamed Broccoli – This is so fast and easy in the microwave.
• Baby Carrots – you will love the glaze on these carrots. Even my kiddos that don’t care for carrots will eat these.

These are just a few of our favorites. Any of these side dish ideas would be amazing and they are all so quick and easy. Check out 28 Best Rotisserie Chicken Sides.

Whole Chicken Leftover Ideas

The chicken is perfect to use in other recipes. We look forward to having leftovers so we make new meals out of the chicken.

• Chicken Noodle Soup– Shred the chicken and use it for soup.
• Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole – Make this easy casserole with leftover chicken
• Chicken Salad – Add it to your salads for a delicious chicken salad.
• Quesadillas – Make Chicken Fajita Quesadillas Recipe for a quick lunch.
• Burritos – My kids love making Chicken and Rice Burritos Recipe
• Tortilla Soup – Add it to make a quick chicken tortilla soup
• Chicken Stock – Make Crock Pot Chicken Stock with the Chicken Carcass.
• Wraps – Use your leftovers and make Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps.

Storing and Freezing Tips

• Storing Leftovers – Once your rotisserie style chicken has cooled, remove the chicken from the bones and store in an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator and store for 4-5 days.
• Freezing Leftovers – Remove the rotisserie-style chicken from the bones once it has cooled. Place the chicken in a freezing safe container or freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to serve again.
• Reheating Leftovers – Reheat the leftovers in a baking dish in the oven. If you are reheating a smaller portion, reheating in the microwave works great too.