How long do you cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot?

Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook the chicken for 6 minutes per pound. A 4-pound chicken, for example, needs 24 minutes of pressure cooking, followed by at least 15–20 minutes of natural release . This ensures juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat.

Why is my Instant Pot chicken rubbery?

Rubbery chicken often means you released pressure too quickly or overcooked it. For the best Instant Pot whole chicken , always use natural pressure release to let the meat rest and reabsorb its juices, keeping it tender and moist.

How long does an Instant Pot take to cook chicken?

From start to finish, expect the Instant Pot to take around 45 to 60 minutes , including pressure build-up, cooking time (based on weight), and natural release. The cook time itself is typically 6 minutes per pound .

Does chicken need to be submerged in the Instant Pot?

No, chicken should sit above the liquid on the trivet. You just need 1 to 2 cups of liquid such as broth or apple cider to generate steam for pressure cooking. Fully submerging the chicken isn’t needed and can actually result in soggy skin and weaker flavor.

Best Instant Pot Chicken – Juicy, Foolproof Recipe (3 Steps) Best Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe: Juicy, Easy, and Foolproof

Name: Best Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken (3.5 to 4.5 lbs); 1 Tbsp avocado oil; 1 1/2 tsp sea salt; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1 1/2 tsp paprika; 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 cups apple cider or chicken broth; 2 large apples, chopped (optional)

Description

The best Instant Pot whole chicken juicy, tender, and incredibly easy. A pressure-cooked family favorite that tastes like rotisserie chicken!

Ingredients

1 whole chicken (3.5 to 4.5 lbs)

1 Tbsp avocado oil

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

2 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 cups apple cider or chicken broth

2 large apples, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Remove giblets and pat the chicken dry.

2. Rub chicken with avocado oil and season all sides.

3. Pour liquid into Instant Pot, place trivet inside, and set chicken on trivet.

4. Add apples if using, then secure the lid.

5. Set to high pressure for 6 minutes per pound. Let naturally release for 15–20 minutes.

6. Transfer to baking sheet and broil 5–8 minutes for crispy skin.

7. Rest 10 minutes before carving. Serve with juices or sides.

Notes

Be sure not to confuse apple cider with apple cider vinegar.

Chicken is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Chicken Main Dishes
Method: Pressure Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 480
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 690mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 22g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 145mg