Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe

I’ve just discovered a super cool way to transform a whole chicken in my Instant Pot with lemon, garlic, and a bunch of rad spices that totally makes cooking feel like a fun adventure even if it ain’t perfect every time.

I love my Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe cuz its high in protein and super hearty. I season a whole chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, a halved lemon, smashed garlic, chicken broth and dried thyme to keep it nutritious and flavorful.

Its simplicity makes dinner great.

Ingredients

• Whole Chicken: Protein-rich whole chicken offers vitamins, minerals and hearty flavor boosting meal healthiness.
• Olive Oil: Healthy oil packed with monounsaturated fats that help increase heart health.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and infuses savory depth all over the dish.
• Lemon: Adds tangy sourness and vitamin C; it brightens up the dish nicely.
• Garlic: Brings pungent flavor and antioxidants making dish healthier and tastier.
• Thyme: Dried thyme lends earthy aroma and subtle citrus notes enriching taste naturally.
• Spices: (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika) add warm aroma and rich color to the dish.
• Salt: Enhances natural flavors and elevates savory taste in dishes.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme

How to Make this

1. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and then mix together 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a small bowl.

2. Rub the chicken all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, making sure to coat every bit of it.

3. Squeeze the lemon halves over the chicken and then stuff the lemon halves and 4 smashed garlic cloves into the cavity.

4. Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and let it heat up a little bit before you add the chicken.

5. Place the chicken in the Instant Pot, breast side down first, and let it brown for about 3-4 minutes on each side. It might not be perfect so dont stress.

6. Once the chicken is a nice color, pour 1 cup chicken broth into the pot around the chicken.

7. Cancel the sauté mode and secure the lid properly on the Instant Pot.

8. Set it to pressure cook on high for 25 minutes, keeping in mind that a larger chicken may need a few extra minutes.

9. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes then do a quick release to get rid of any remaining pressure.

10. Carefully take out the chicken using tongs or a big spoon, let it rest for 5 minutes, then carve and enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels for drying the chicken
2. A small bowl for mixing the spices
3. Measuring spoons to get the right amount of each spice
4. An Instant Pot that has a sauté mode and a pressure cooking feature
5. Tongs or a large spoon for carefully removing the chicken
6. A carving knife and a cutting board for slicing the chicken after resting

FAQ

• Q: How long do I cook the chicken in the Instant Pot?
  
  A: Cook the whole chicken on high pressure for about 25 minutes if its 3-4 lbs then natural release for 10 minutes.
• Q: Can I use another kind of broth if I don’t have chicken broth?
  
  A: Yup, you can use veggie broth or even water if needed, but chicken broth gives the best flavour.
• Q: What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
  
  A: You can bake the chicken in the oven at 425F for about 1.5 hours or until its done, though the Instant Pot makes it super fast.
• Q: Can I add other seasonings to the recipe?
  
  A: Sure, you can mix in herbs like rosemary or sage, just keep the amounts similar so you dont overwhelm the flavor.
• Q: How do I get a crispy skin on the chicken?
  
  A: If you want crispy skin try broiling it for a few minutes at the end or searing it on the saute mode before pressure cooking.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Olive Oil: If you dont have olive oil, melted butter or canola oil works pretty good too.
• Garlic Powder: You can swap this with extra minced fresh garlic (just be sure to lower the added garlic cloves if you do this).
• Chicken Broth: No broth? No problem, just dissolve a bouillon cube in a cup of warm water or use veggie broth.
• Dried Thyme: If you arent stocked up on thyme, a pinch of oregano can be used instead though it gives a slightly different flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you pat your chicken really dry before you start. This helps it brown better on the Instant Pot, so even if the color isnt perfect you still get flavor locked in.
2. When you squeeze the lemon and toss the garlic in the cavity, press the seasonings into the meat as much as you can to boost the flavor from the inside out.
3. Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes before doing the quick release. Trust me, this gives the chicken time to settle and helps preserve its juices.
4. After pressure cooking, let your chicken rest for at least 5 minutes. Cutting it too soon may make it lose juices, making it less moist than you’d like.