Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Warm up your kitchen and save time with Instant Pot Whole Chicken—a simple, flavorful dish that transforms an everyday dinner into a comforting feast. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or planning with versatile leftovers, this recipe has you covered.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken: A Quick, Nutritious, and Versatile Meal

Cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy individuals and families. This method is quick, easy, and ensures a tender, flavorful result every time. In under an hour, you can have a fully cooked, juicy chicken that serves as a delicious centerpiece for dinner and a versatile ingredient for meals throughout the week.

Benefits of Cooking a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

Time-Saving and Effortless

The Instant Pot drastically reduces cooking time compared to roasting or slow cooking. Simply season, set, and let the pressure cooker do the work—no babysitting required.

Nutrient-Packed

Pressure cooking helps retain essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that might be lost in traditional cooking methods. Plus, making homemade broth from the leftover bones ensures you get collagen and gut-healthy nutrients.

Budget-Friendly and Versatile

A whole chicken stretches across multiple meals—use it for soups, salads, sandwiches, or meal prep bowls. Plus, making your shredded chicken is more affordable than buying pre-cooked options.

Perfect for Clean, Holistic Eating

Cooking at home gives you full control over ingredients, avoiding unhealthy additives, preservatives, and excess sodium found in store-bought rotisserie chickens. By using wholesome spices and fresh ingredients, you ensure a clean, holistic meal.

An Instant Pot whole chicken is not just a meal—it’s a foundation for a week of healthy, home-cooked dishes. With minimal effort, you can enjoy clean, nourishing food while making meal prep simple and stress-free.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Ingredients

• Whole Organic Chicken
• Stubb’s Chicken Seasoning
• Turmeric Powder
• Paprika
• Salt and Pepper
• Lemons
• Chicken Stock

Seasoning the Chicken and Preparing the Instant Pot

1. First, remove the chicken from the packaging, rinse with cold water, and dry with paper towels.
2. Next, place the rinsed and dried chicken on a cutting board.
3. Then, season the chicken with salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, and Stubb’s chicken seasoning.
4. Next, pour the chicken stock into the Instant Pot; insert the halved lemons.
5. Finally, invert the Instant Pot Trivet and place the seasoned chicken on top.

Pressure Cooking the Whole Chicken

1. First, seal the top of the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
2. Next, hit the PRESSURE COOK button and set it for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken.
   • Note: Typically, it’s about 5-6 minutes per pound of chicken. I typically buy a 3.5-4 lb chicken.
3. Then, hit START, and let the Instant Pot work its magic!
4. Finally, once the chicken is done, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure before opening the lid.
   • Note: This should take about 10-15 minutes.

Shredding the Chicken

1. First, once the Instant Pot has naturally released and you’ve opened the lid, carefully remove the chicken.
   • Note: At this point, the chicken will be very tender; it may come apart on its own.
2. Next, take two forks and shred the chicken.
3. Then, carefully pour the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot to absorb the Au Jus.
4. Finally, it is ready to serve!

Serving and Storing the Chicken

To serve the Instant Pot Whole Chicken, carefully remove the shredded chicken and set it on a serving plate. Ladle the Au Jus over the chicken and serve alongside a salad, roasted vegetables, etc. Enjoy!

To store the Instant Pot Whole Chicken, place it into an airtight bag or container with the Au Jus, and in the refrigerator for up to four (4) days. On the other hand, you can freeze the leftovers for up to one (1) month, and reheat in a little chicken stock.

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Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Yield: 8 servings

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Warm up your kitchen and save time with Instant Pot Whole Chicken—a simple, flavorful dish that transforms an everyday dinner into a comforting feast.

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Ingredients

• 3.5 - 4 lb. Whole, Organic Chicken
• 3-4 tbsp. Stubb's Chicken Seasoning
• 1 tbsp. Turmeric Powder
• 1/2 tbsp. Paprika
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 2-3 Lemons, Halved
• 2 c. Chicken Stock

Instructions

Seasoning the Chicken and Preparing the Instant Pot

1. First, remove the chicken from the packaging, rinse with cold water, and dry with paper towels.
2. Next, place the rinsed and dried chicken on a cutting board.
3. Then, season the chicken with salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, and Stubb's chicken seasoning.
4. Next, pour the chicken stock into the Instant Pot; insert the halved lemons.
5. Finally, invert the Instant Pot Trivet and place the seasoned chicken on top.

Pressure Cooking the Whole Chicken

1. First, seal the top of the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
2. Next, hit the PRESSURE COOK button and set it for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken. (Note: Typically, it's about 5-6 minutes per pound of chicken. I typically buy a 3.5-4 lb chicken).
3. Then, hit START, and let the Instant Pot work its magic!
4. Finally, once the chicken is done, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure before opening the lid. (Note: This should take about 10-15 minutes).

Shredding the Chicken

1. First, once the Instant Pot has naturally released and you've opened the lid, carefully remove the chicken. (Note: At this point, the chicken will be very tender; it may come apart on its own).
2. Next, take two forks and shred the chicken.
3. Then, carefully pour the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot to absorb the Au Jus.
4. Finally, it is ready to serve!

Serving and Storing the Chicken

To serve the Instant Pot Whole Chicken, carefully remove the shredded chicken and set it on a serving plate. Ladle the Au Jus over the chicken and serve alongside a salad, roasted vegetables, etc. Enjoy!

To store the Instant Pot Whole Chicken, place it into an airtight bag or container with the Au Jus, and in the refrigerator for up to four (4) days. On the other hand, you can freeze the leftovers for up to one (1) month, and reheat in a little chicken stock.