Pressure Cooker "Roasted" Whole Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
8 Servings (Whole chicken)
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Pressure Cooker "Roasted" Whole Chicken
Description
The Pressure Cooker "Roasted" Whole Chicken starts with seasoning a whole chicken inside and out, followed by searing the breast side down in hot oil to develop initial color and flavor. After removing the chicken from the pot, fresh parsley, lemon halves, and garlic cloves are placed inside the cavity to impart aromatic notes during cooking. The chicken is positioned breast-side up in the pressure cooker with chicken broth added for moisture and flavor.
Cooking under pressure dramatically reduces the time needed to tenderize the whole bird compared to oven roasting. The pressure cooker is set to high pressure for approximately 6 to 8 minutes per pound, depending on the model. A natural pressure release of 15 minutes allows the chicken to finish cooking gently while retaining moisture. The final chicken is juicy and flavorful with softened, aromatic seasonings.
This approach offers convenience and consistent results for a whole chicken meal. It can be served simply as a main dish with vegetables, or the cooked chicken used in various recipes. The searing step provides some surface browning, though without the crispy skin typical of oven roasting.
Cooking time depends on chicken weight and pressure cooker type; use about 6 minutes per pound for stovetop cookers and 8 minutes per pound for electric models like the InstantPot. Always measure cooking based on your equipment and release pressure naturally for best texture.
Ingredients
- 3-5 pound chicken whole
- kosher salt coarse
- black pepper coarse
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- parsley fresh, handful
- lemon half, fresh
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
Instructions
- Remove anything from inside the cavity of the chicken. Liberally salt and pepper the inside and outside of the chicken. I use about 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1/2 tablespoon coarse pepper but you may want to use more or less than that depending on the size of the chicken or how seasoned you want it.
- In a stovetop or InstantPot (using the Saute function), heat the oil until rippling and hot. Place the chicken, breast-side down in the hot oil and let it brown for 5-6 minutes. Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and put the parsley, lemon and cloves inside the chicken.
- Place the chicken breast-side up into the pressure cooker and add the broth.
- Secure the lid on the pressure cooker. For the InstantPot, select Manual and set the appropriate time for high pressure, about 8 minutes per pound of chicken (for instance, a 5-pound chicken will cook for 40 minutes). For a stovetop pressure cooker, start timing once high pressure is reached. Cook for 6 minutes per pound of chicken (for example, a 5-pound chicken will cook for 30 minutes).
- Remove the stovetop pressure cooker from heat once the time is finished - for the InstantPot, hit the cancel button.
- Let the pressure cooker naturally release for 15 minutes then quick release the remaining pressure. You can test the internal temperature of the chicken (at its thickest part) to make sure it registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If not, simply secure the lid and bring it up to high pressure again for a few minutes.
- Carefully remove the chicken from the pressure cooker and when cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones. Remember to save the bones for quick pressure cooker chicken broth!
Notes
- A good guideline is 6 minutes of cooking per pound for stovetop pressure cookers, about 8 minutes per pound for electric pressure cookers like InstantPot.
- Allow a 15-minute natural pressure release before quick releasing remaining pressure to ensure juicy chicken.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings (Whole chicken)
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 330kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 102mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 104mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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