Instant Pot Whole Chicken – Rotisserie Style – perfectly tender, juicy, roasted chicken you can make easily at home in about 45 minutes using your Instant Pot pressure cooker. Best of all, includes instructions for using fresh,, thawed or frozen chicken, and an oven.
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What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday meal? It’s hard to choose just one but a roasted whole chicken – rotisserie style – comes pretty close.
My family loves that perfectly crispy skin and tender and juicy meat. You know what? Making your own whole rotisserie style chicken at home couldn’t be easier.
INSTANT POT WHOLE CHICKEN – ROTISSERIE STYLE
I love how much healthier and tastier it is to make your own rotisserie chicken at home. So much better than the ones you pick up from the grocery store. And the best part? You can store any remaining leftovers in the fridge or freezer (up to 3 months) to use in tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, soups and more to enjoy throughout the week.
CAN YOU MAKE CHICKEN BROTH WITH THE LEFTOVER BONES?
We make a whole chicken at least once a week just so we can use the leftover carcass and bones for a big batch of nourishing bone broth or chicken stock.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK A WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE INSTANT POT?
And my new favorite way to make a roasted chicken is definitely in the 
CAN I MAKE THE CHICKEN IN THE OVEN IF I DON’T HAVE AN INSTANT POT?
Yes, of course! As you can see, I made two whole chickens – one in the oven and one in the Instant Pot to compare the difference.
What’s amazing is the Instant Pot can even cook the whole chicken from frozen in about 60 minutes. And the meat cooks up super soft, tender, juicy and fall of the bone delicious! Serious game changer!
HOW DO YOU MAKE A WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE INSTANT POT?
- First, you’re going to loosen the skin underneath and rub the entire chicken with
olive oil followed by the seasonings. This ensures that your chicken is seasoned properly with flavor and not bland.
WHAT SEASONINGS DO YOU USE?
- For the seasonings, I like to use salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, Greek seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder. Feel free to use any combination of herbs and spices you like!
HOW CAN YOU KEEP CHICKEN JUICY AND MOIST?
- You can add a lemon, some garlic and an onion in the cavity the chicken. This adds flavor to the the chicken and helps the chicken stay juicy and moist inside. This is totally optional so feel free to skip this step if you prefer.
HOW DO I GET A CRISPY CRUST ON THE CHICKEN?
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and heat up the remainder of the olive oil. Carefully add the chicken – breast side down and allow to sear/brown for about 5-6 minutes, or until brown. Using
tongs and a
spatula, carefully flip the chicken over to the other side. Cook undisturbed for another 5 minutes until brown.
- Carefully remove the chicken and place the trivet (mine came with the Instant Pot but you can also use your own if you have another one) at the bottom. Pour in chicken broth, stock or water
- Rub chicken with remaining seasoning and place on top of the trivet, breast side up.
WHAT ARE THE COOK TIMES FOR DIFFERENT SIZES OF CHICKEN?
For every pound of chicken, multiply that by 6 and you’ll get the time. E.g. 3lb chicken – 18 minutes & 5 lb – 30 minutes.
- Cover with lid, and turn the valve to SEALING
- Press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK for 24 minutes for a 4 lb chicken.
- It will take some time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure
- Once the chicken is done and the timer beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally – about 15-20 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a large platter or a
cutting board. Discard onion and lemon.
CAN YOU COOK A WHOLE CHICKEN FROM FROZEN IN AN INSTANT POT?
For every pound of chicken, multiply that by 8 1/2 MINUTES and you’ll get the time. E.g. 3lb chicken – 25 minutes & 5 lb – 42.5 minutes.
Yes, absolutely! To make Instant Pot Whole Chicken from FROZEN – starting with a 4 lb chicken – set the time to 38 minutes
This Instant Pot Whole Chicken cooks up perfectly tender and juicy. Slice or shred up the breasts and divide the legs and wings to serve with your favorite sides.
HOW CAN I USE UP MY INSTANT POT WHOLE CHICKEN?
WHAT CAN YOU SERVE WITH INSTANT POT WHOLE CHICKEN?
A roasted Instant Pot whole chicken goes great with some garlic mashed potatoes, wedges or sweet potato fries.
And to keep this meal low carb, keto and paleo friendly, serve with some roasted asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower or a delicious salad.
More Instant Pot recipes:
How to Cook the Perfect Bowl of White or Brown Rice
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic
Instant Pot Whole Chicken - Rotisserie Style - perfectly tender, juicy, rotisserie chicken you can make easily at home using your Instant Pot pressure cooker. Best of all, you can have a simple low carb keto roasted chicken dinner in about 45 minutes.
- 4 pounds whole chicken
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon dried Greek seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 large onion, halved optional
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon halved; optional
- 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, Greek seasoning, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic, and onion powder.
- Gently loosen the skin from the chicken breast with your hands lifting and separating the meat. Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil followed by a third (1/3) of the seasonings under the skin using your hands and fingers. Next, rub another tablespoon of olive oil and the rest of the seasonings over entire chicken and inside the body cavity.
Place the onion, garlic cloves and lemon inside the cavity of the chicken. This helps to seal in the moisture and add flavor.
YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP BUT SEARING THE CHICKEN FIRST HELPS TO GIVE IT COLOR AND LOCK IN THE FLAVORS: Press the SAUTE button HIGH. When the word "Hot" appears, swirl in 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Place the chicken - breast side down, in pot and sear for 5-7 minutes, or until a golden brown. Using tongs and a spatula, flip the chicken over and sear for another 5 minutes, or until brown. Remove chicken and place on a large platter.
Place a trivet (the one that came with the Instant Pot or use another) inside the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Pour chicken stock or broth in pot. Place trivet on top of the chicken broth then lay chicken on top of trivet, breast side up.
- Cover and lock lid. Turn the valve to SEALING.
Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set timer according to 24 minutes for a 4lb chicken or cook according to size:
* 3 lbs- 18 min
*3.5 lbs- 21 min
* 4 lbs- 24 min
For a FROZEN WHOLE CHICKEN - set to 42 minutes ON HIGH for a 4 lb chicken.
Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure (this may take about 10-15 minutes).
Once the 24 minutes is up and the Instant Pot beeps indicating the chicken is done, allow to naturally release for at least 15 minutes and then quick release for any extra pressure.
Open lid and transfer chicken to a platter or a large cutting board. Broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
Allow chicken to cool for 5-10 minutes. Slice or shred and serve with your favorite sides.
Preheat oven to 450 F.
Place seasoned chicken on an oven roasting pan and cook for approximately 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil (to prevent too much browning) and cook for an additional 40-50 minutes or until temperature reads 165 F.
Remove roasting pan. Let chicken cool for 5-10 minutes. Slice or shred and serve with your favorite sides.
Recipe Video
Save your bones in a freezer bag until you're ready and you can make Chicken stock or bone broth.
Did you try this recipe?
Penelope -
This was amazing! Now our go to recipe! Thank you!
Mary Romero -
aWesome was so tender and juicy
Lauren -
Absolutely delicious! Never buying a ROTISSERIE chicken from the grocery store or Costco ever again!
Lori -
Best chicken. I ever made in a instant pot.will make again.