Servings
Font
Back
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe
4.5 from 120 votes

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe

The Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe uses a whole chicken seasoned with a mixture of salt, garlic powder, paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper, cooked under pressure with apple cider or chicken broth and optional chopped apples. This method yields a tender, flavorful chicken with infused seasoning and a moist texture, well suited for a comforting main dish prepared with minimal hands-on time.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 480 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken 3.5 to 4.5 lbs, whole
  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt sea salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp parsley dried
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups apple cider juice or chicken broth*
  • 2 large apple chopped, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Reach into the bird's cavity and remove any organs. Drizzle the chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and use your hands to smear it around so that the whole chicken is coated in oil.
  2. Sprinkle the chicken (both sides and all of the edges) with sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and dried parsley.
  3. Pour the apple cider (or chicken broth) into the bottom of the Pressure Cooker , add the apples and any veggies (such as onion, carrots, etc) and insert the trivet. Place the chicken on top of the trivet.
  4. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and press the Manual Pressure or Pressure Cook button. Adjust the time for 30 minutes (or 6 minutes per pound of chicken) and keep the pressure valve sealed. Allow the pressure cooker to run its course - it will take 5 to 10 minutes to heat up before it gets going.
  5. Once the time is up, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release (and go into keep warm mode) for at least 20 minutes. I often let mine go for 40 or 50 for the most tender result.
  6. If you love crispy chicken skin, transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and place your oven on the High Broil setting. Place the chicken on the rack that's second from the top and broil for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the skin has reached your desired level of crisp.
  7. Serve with your choice of side dishes and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use apple cider (similar to apple juice), not apple cider vinegar, to avoid sourness.
  • Adjust cooking time based on chicken size: roughly 6 minutes per pound.
  • Natural pressure release helps keep the chicken moist and tender.
  • Optional apples add a mild sweetness during cooking.
  • Additional vegetables can be added to the pot for more flavor in the broth.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1of 8 Calories 480kcal (24%) Protein 42g (84%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 480

% Daily Value*

Serving 1of 8
Calories 480kcal 24%
Protein 42g 84%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.