Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe
Discover the convenience and deliciousness of cooking a whole chicken in your Instant Pot. Ideal for busy professionals and students, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
The Recipe: Whole Chicken with a Delicious Dry Rub
To start, you’ll need a whole chicken, about 4-5 pounds. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Next, create a dry rub using garlic powder, basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Apply the dry rub to both sides of the chicken, making sure to cover it evenly.
Browning the Chicken for Added Flavor
Using the sauté function on your Instant Pot, heat some avocado oil over high heat. Place the chicken in the pot and brown it on all sides, about 4 minutes. This step is optional, but it really makes a big difference in the flavor of the final dish. Be sure to get all of the browned bits off the bottom of the pan to avoid getting a burn signal.
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
Add about a cup of filtered water and some Better Than Bouillon chicken base to the pot. You can also use chicken stock or just water if you prefer. Place the trivet in the pot and put the chicken on top. Make sure the silicone ring is in place, then put the lid on the Instant Pot. Set the valve to “sealing” and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow a natural release for 10 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure.
Crisping Up the Skin
Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the Instant Pot and place it on a foil-lined pan. If desired, broil the chicken for 5 minutes to crisp up the skin. This step is optional, but it adds a nice texture to the dish.
A Delicious Sauce to Top It Off
To make a delicious sauce, mix a little cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode again and add the slurry, stirring constantly. If desired, add a little more cornstarch to thicken the sauce to your liking. This sauce will thicken naturally in the fridge, so keep that in mind.
The Final Result: Tender, Juicy Chicken
Once the chicken has cooled slightly, cut into it and serve with the delicious sauce. The chicken will be incredibly tender and juicy, falling off the bone. This recipe is a game-changer for busy households, providing a healthy and delicious meal with minimal effort.
Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe
Effortlessly prepare a succulent whole chicken with this Instant Pot recipe. Perfect for busy schedules, this simple dish offers a healthy, flavorful meal that's ready in no time.
Ingredients
- Whole chicken, 4-5 lbs
- Garlic powder, 1 tbsp
- Basil, 1 tsp
- Onion powder, 1 tbsp
- Salt, 1 tsp
- Pepper, 1 tsp
- Avocado oil, 2 tbsp (if browning)
- Filtered water, 1 cup
- Better Than Bouillon chicken base, 1 tbsp
- Cornstarch, 2 tbsp (mixed with water to form a slurry)
Instructions
- Rinse a 4-5 pound whole chicken and pat dry with paper towels.
- Create a dry rub with garlic powder, basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Apply evenly to both sides of the chicken.
- Optional: Set Instant Pot to sauté mode, add avocado oil, and brown the chicken on all sides for about 4 minutes.
- Add 1 cup of filtered water and Better Than Bouillon chicken base to the pot.
- Place the trivet in the pot, set the chicken on top, and secure the lid. Set the valve to "sealing."
- Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, then allow a natural release for 10 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure.
- Optional: For crispy skin, broil the chicken in the oven on a foil-lined pan for 5 minutes.
- To make the sauce, create a cornstarch slurry, set the Instant Pot to sauté mode, and stir in the slurry to thicken.
- Serve the chicken with the sauce, slicing it after it has cooled slightly.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
per servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 420mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 30g