Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (2024)

Reading time: 6 minutes · Updated: by Anna Rapp

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (1)This recipe is absolutely one of the staples in my house. Since we buy 95% of our groceries organic, it can become quite expensive to buy a lot of organic meat each week. Enter, the whole organic chicken. Buying organic chicken whole saves you a ton on the unit price, and you can make three different things out of it and use the leftovers all week!

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (2)

Yummy liver and onions!

The weekend is when we do our major food prep for the week. First, we take out the giblets, and I saute up the liver with some onions in coconut oil on the stove. I’m the only one who eats it, but it is delicious!! Chicken liver is packed with Vitamin A and is great for people on Paleo, Whole 30, or the Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP). Because of the high Vitamin A content you don’t want to eat it every day, but every week is just about perfect. Be sure to saute in a non-toxic frying pan- you can see in the picture I am using one of our non-toxic (and affordable!) cast iron pans.

We save the chicken neck and put it in the Instant Pot so we can make our weekly bone broth later. Don’t rinse your chicken! This is a myth and it turns out it just winds up spraying raw chicken juice all over your kitchen. Just dump the chicken into your Instant Pot.

Then we roast the chicken (don’t worry, instructions are below) in the Instant Pot. It is way easier than roasting in the oven PLUS it doesn’t heat the house up which is important in the summer. We used to roast chicken in the oven, but we are so obsessed with time management and efficiency we do everything we can in the Instant Pot now. The best part is you can walk away. Get it ready, set the time, let it cook, and go weed the gardens. Or drink an herbal infusion and journal. Whatever- no need to check the chicken and baste, etc. We actually own two Instant Pots because we are obsessed and like to be able to cook beans and brown rice from scratch separately at the same time (yes ma’am, you can cook organic dry beans from scratch in about 40 minutes in the Instant Pot! You can of course alter this recipe and roast the chicken in the oven – it just takes longer, and you can’t make your bone broth in the same container!

When the chicken is done, we take it out, let it cool a bit, and then pick it clean.We then use that chicken meat all week long. Between two adults and the one wee one, it lasts us through about Thursday if we cook on Sunday. Mostly we just add it to our evening salads, but sometimes we’ll turn it into a chicken salad with a healthy fat coconut mayonnaise, or we’ll cook up a sauce for it. Be sure you aren’t using toxic plastic to store your chicken in! Use a non-toxic container like glass. We use the pyrex with glass lids so we can throw it all in the dishwasher and not worry.

Chicken is a fantastic food for most diets, including a Fertility Diet. It is super high in protein, which is absolutely crucial to making babies. It is also full of important fertility nutrients like selenium, vitamin B6 and B3. It is also a safe meat for people who are sensitive to fattier red meats (like women with endometriosis). Having this pre-prepped organic chicken meat ready to use in the fridge is necessary when you are trying to make sure you hit your perfect daily fertility macros ratio of protein, carbs, and fats. If you are trying to get pregnant, don’t forget the need to tailor any fertility diet to YOUR needs. Luckily, organic chicken pretty much hits everyone’s needs, unless they avoid meat for personal reasons.

Now- here’s the huge added bonus of the Instant Pot. After we pick the chicken clean, we put all the bones and skin BACK in the Instant Pot. We add about 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar, some additional broth or water, and then put the Instant Pot on its slow cooking setting for 24-48 hours. Then we have incredibly healthful and nourishing bone broth, ready to drink all week!

So there you go- three nutritional uses out of your whole organic chicken! Roasted chicken meat all week, a chicken liver and onions treat on the weekend, and bone broth for the week! You are killing it with healthy eating!

Instant Pot Whole Roast Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

  • One small organic chicken, giblets removed.
  • 3 Tbsp unrefined coconut or extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 onions sliced (OPTIONAL)
  • 5 cloves garlic sliced (OPTIONAL)
  • Rosemary 3 sprigs fresh or 1 tbsp dried (OPTIONAL)
  • Thyme 4 sprigs fresh or 1 tbsp dried (OPTIONAL)
  • Additional herbs if desired
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • 1 cup of water

Directions

  1. (Optional)- Set your Instant Pot to the “saute” function and add in your oil. Place the chicken in breast-down and brown the skin. Brown the sides as well. Remove chicken and set on a plate. We used to do this, and then stopped, as it took too much time and only made the chicken pretty; it didn’t add any value to the taste.
  2. Make a layer on the bottom of the Instant Pot with the onions.
  3. Place chicken on top. If you didn’t saute, put the oil on top of the chicken.
  4. Dump all the other ingredients on top. Make them pretty, if you like.
  5. Add the 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot.
  6. Lock the Instant Pot lid into place and make sure your valve is set to “seal” Press “Manual” and use the + or – buttons to get to 24 minutes. We don’t vary by pounds, but some recipes suggest 5-6 minutes per pound.
  7. Let the Instant Pot do the natural depressurization, i.e., wait until the timer says at least 10 minutes have past since the chicken was done. Then, depressurize completely if necessary.
  8. Open top, remove chicken, and let cool.
  9. Pick the meat clean and use it all week!
  10. Put all the skin and bones back in the Instant Pot to make your bone broth!

Are you ready to discover YOUR perfect fertility diet?

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (3)

Tired of all the conflicting fertility diet information? It is up to YOU to take control of your fertility journey and do the research to figure out YOUR perfect fertility diet. I've developed this free e-book as a guide to jumpstart the process. It includes tailored diet information for many infertility diagnoses, such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Anovulation, Luteal Phase Defect, Thyroid Problems, Fibroids, Unexplained Infertility, and more! It is completely free to download! Enjoy!

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Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (4)

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe

  • Author: Anna
  • Total Time: 54 mins
  • Yield: 1 whole chicken 1x
Print Recipe

Description

An easy, quick, and delicious way to roast a whole chicken without heating up your stove!

Ingredients

Scale

  • One small organic chicken, giblets removed (pounds don’t matter, the Instant Pot cooks it through no matter what) We buy from Wegmans.
  • 3 Tbsp unrefined coconut or extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 onions sliced (OPTIONAL)
  • 5 cloves garlic sliced (OPTIONAL)
  • Rosemary 3 sprigs fresh or 1 tbsp dried (OPTIONAL)
  • Thyme 4 sprigs fresh or 1 tbsp dried (OPTIONAL)
  • Other herbs as desired
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup of water

Instructions

  1. (Optional)- Set your Instant Pot to the “saute” function and add in your oil. Place the chicken in breast-down and brown the skin. Brown the sides as well. Remove chicken and set on a plate. We used to do this, and then stopped, as it took too much time and only made the chicken pretty, didn’t add any value to the taste.
  2. Make a layer on the bottom of the Instant Pot with the onions.
  3. Place chicken on top. If you didn’t saute, put the oil on top of the chicken.
  4. Dump all the other ingredients on top. Make them pretty, if you like.
  5. Add the 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the pot.
  6. Lock the Instant Pot lid into place and make sure your valve is set to “seal” Press “Manual” and use the + or – buttons to get to 24 minutes.
  7. Let the Instant Pot do the natural depressurization, i.e., wait until the timer says at least 10 minutes have past since the chicken was done.
  8. Open top, remove chicken, and let cool.
  9. Pick the meat clean and use it all week!
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 44 mins
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Paleo, Whole 30, Clean Eating, Keto, AIP

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz
  • Calories: 133
  • Sodium: 61
  • Fat: 5
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Carbohydrates: 2
  • Protein: 16
  • Cholesterol: 51

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Anna Rapp

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Anna Rapp is a fertility journalist and non-toxic living expert. When Anna Rapp was struggling with infertility and recurrent early miscarriage, she was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, High FSH, low AMH, low follicle count, endometriosis, and an MTHFR mutation. Despite being told donor eggs were her only solution, Anna used her graduate training in research methods and analysis to read everything she could find on fertility and egg health. Ultimately, she lowered her FSH and got pregnant naturally (twice). She blogs about how she did it and encourages her readers to take charge of their fertility journey and get happy, healthy, and pregnant!

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (6)

About Anna Rapp

Anna Rapp is a fertility journalist and non-toxic living expert. When Anna Rapp was struggling with infertility and recurrent early miscarriage, she was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, High FSH, low AMH, low follicle count, endometriosis, and an MTHFR mutation. Despite being told donor eggs were her only solution, Anna used her graduate training in research methods and analysis to read everything she could find on fertility and egg health. Ultimately, she lowered her FSH and got pregnant naturally (twice). She blogs about how she did it and encourages her readers to take charge of their fertility journey and get happy, healthy, and pregnant!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (7)cb

    Thank you for the fantastic recipe, looks like I need one of those Instant Pots!

    One correction – I think you meant 24 hours, not 24 minutes . . . ?

    Reply

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (8)Anna

      Well that’s embarrassing. THANK YOU!!! Just changed it.

      Reply

  2. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (9)Gazelle

    I love all of your recipes and your blog. Just trying to make the roasted chicken for the first time. What settings do you put the Instapot to? Slow cook or pressure cook or something else, because my slow cook time only goes up to 20 hours.

    Reply

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (10)Anna

      Hi Gazelle! So glad you commented, because I realized my recipe was totally wonky :-). It is supposed to be 24 minutes, not 24 hours!! You pressure cook it, i.e., put it on “Manual” and then click the “+” button up till 24 minutes!!! When you’re making the broth you’ll be using the slow cooker setting and doing hours 🙂 Baby dust!

      Reply

  3. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (11)Andrea

    Where is the best place to buy the organic meat, especially the organic whole chickens?
    Thanks,
    Andrea

    Reply

  4. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (12)Frances Mechwart

    I don’t have an instant. Can I cook it in a slow cooker? If so, on high or low? And for how long? Thx!

    Reply

  5. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (13)Maria

    Hi! I just wanted to make sure that the 1/2 cup water measurement was right? (The IP instructions usually require a minimum of 1 cup, and I’ve had issues with the “Burn” warning before…. :)). Looking forward to trying this one!

    Reply

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (14)Anna

      Hi Maria! Yes, that is what we do, but I’ve had this comment several times so I am going to change the recipe to 1 cup! It certainly doesn’t hurt anything!! Best to follow the Instant Pot “Rules” 🙂

      Reply

      • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (15)Maria

        Thanks! As a heads up for others with newer IP models, the “Manual” setting is equivalent to the “High” Pressure Cooker setting. Definitely making again! 🙂

        Reply

Leave a Reply

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Whole Roast Chicken Recipe - To Make a Mommy (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to put water in my Instant Pot to cook chicken? ›

Instant Pot Chicken Is So Easy!

The chicken cooks in water, seasoned with salt, bay leaves, and garlic for a little bit of extra flavor. You can add any aromatic spices or vegetables to the water, really, depending on how you want to flavor the meat.

How long to cook 5 pounds of chicken in an Instant Pot? ›

How Long To Cook Chicken Breast In The Instant Pot?
Amount of Chicken Breast by Weight# Servings On Recipe CardInstant Pot Cook Time (Fresh Chicken)
2 lb105 minutes
3 lb156 minutes
4 lb208 minutes
5 lb2510 minutes
1 more row

Why is my chicken breast rubbery in Instant Pot? ›

If your boneless chicken breast winds up with a weird, rubbery texture, it probably means that you need to cook it longer. In general, the Instant Pot does better with longer cook times for meat.

Can you overcook chicken in Instant Pot? ›

While all cuts of chicken are fair game for the Instant Pot, thighs are the most forgiving. Because chicken breast is so lean, just a couple of extra minutes of cook time turns them from juicy to overcooked and dry.

How much liquid do I need to Pressure Cook chicken? ›

You can cook chicken breasts in whatever size instant pot you have. Just make sure you add at least 1 cup of liquid, and then place the chicken in the pot in a single layer.

How long does it take to cook chicken in a pressure cooker? ›

chicken requires 18 minutes of high pressure cooking. Add 6 minutes of cooking time per additional pound. Note: You can submerge your chicken directly in the cooking liquid, especially if you want to make chicken stock. However, the steamer basket method ensures crispy skin and won't wash away the seasoning.

How long does it take to cook two 5 lb chickens? ›

Use this chart to estimate roasting times when baking two chickens at 425˚F: 2 Chickens (4 lbs each): Bake 1 hour 15 min to 1 hr 30 min. 2 Chickens (4.5 lbs each): Bake 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 45 min. 2 Chickens (5 lbs each): Bake 1 hr 45 min to 2 hrs.

How does pressure cooker cook chicken so fast? ›

iow, the moisture surrounding the food itself reaches higher temperatures than it would without the pressure, which speeds up the chemical processes involved in cooking (but the food doesn't dry out like it would in an oven or on a stovetop” because the moisture is trapped inside the sealed environment of the pressure ...

How long does it take to boil a 5 pound whole chicken? ›

For a whole chicken, boil it for about 20 minutes per pound. For instance, a 4-pound chicken would need approximately 80 minutes of boiling. Always ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Why is chicken tough in pressure cooker? ›

Chicken can get a rubbery texture in the instant pot when over cooked. To avoid this, try not to over cook your chicken. Storing the chicken in chicken broth can help rehydrate the chicken and make it less rubbery.

Why is my pressure cooker chicken chewy? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Why does my chicken become hard after cooking? ›

Cooking meat covers a spectrum of textures, colors, flavors and, of course, temperatures. As you go higher in temperature, the proteins shrink, moisture is pushed out, and the meat turns stiff and dry. All those things are especially unpleasant, and easy to do, with chicken breasts.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you Pressure Cook it? ›

Cooking any meat on high heat (or high pressure) for an extended period will both: denature more the proteins / collagen making the meat more tender; "squeeze" more water out of the meat, making it drier / chalkier in texture.

Does a pressure cooker dry out chicken? ›

If you quick release, all the pressure in the meat forces the liquid out... resulting in a dry finish. If pressure is release naturally (slowly) equilibrium occurs and the moisture stays in the meat.

Should you use water when cooking chicken? ›

The liquid you use for poached chicken can be as simple as water, which works well if you want the other flavors in your chicken recipe to shine. Alternatively, you can use more flavorful liquids such as chicken broth, apple cider, dry white wine, or a combination to infuse your chicken with a more robust flavor.

Do you have to pressure cook with water? ›

If you read the owner's manual carefully, however, you'll still find one important precaution to take when cooking under pressure: adding water. Water and pressure cooking go hand in hand. In fact, it's water that helps generate the high-pressure environment that makes your food cook faster.

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