When it comes to feeding your crew without a ton of effort, you can’t beat a whole chicken dinner. My Instant Pot Whole Chicken gives you juicy, flavorful meat in a fraction of the time it takes to roast — and if you prefer a more hands-off approach, I’ve included a Slow Cooker Whole Chicken version, too.
Whether you’re short on time or want to let dinner cook itself while you tackle chores (or just enjoy a quiet cup of coffee), this recipe has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two easy methods: Choose between the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker — both deliver tender, pull-apart chicken with minimal work.
- Everyday ingredients: No fancy stuff. Just chicken, seasonings, and a few kitchen staples.
- Budget-friendly: A whole chicken often costs less than buying parts separately — plus, you can use the leftovers for soups, casseroles, or sandwiches.
- Homemade stock bonus: Save those bones! You can use them to make your own Instant Pot or slow cooker chicken broth.
You can also shred the leftovers for tacos, soups, or my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup — it’s a family favorite when we’re running in a dozen directions (which is quite often!)
Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker: Which Should You Use?
Both methods produce moist, flavorful chicken — it just depends on your schedule.
| Method | Cook Time | Best For | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot | ~6 minutes per pound + 15 min natural release | When you need dinner fast | Juicy, slightly firmer meat |
| Slow Cooker (Low) | 4–6 hours | Busy days, errands, or long afternoons | Fall-apart tender |
| Slow Cooker (High) | 2½–3½ hours | Faster “set it and forget it” | Moist and soft |
If you’re home and need it quick, go Instant Pot. If you’ll be gone all day or want that old-fashioned Sunday chicken vibe, the slow cooker wins.
Ingredients
- Whole chicken (about 4–5 pounds)
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, thyme, Italian seasoning all work great)
- 1 cup chicken broth (Instant Pot) or ½ cup (Slow Cooker)
- 1 small onion, quartered (optional – for flavor)
- 1 lemon, halved (optional – for inside cavity)
Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Prep the chicken. Remove any giblets, pat dry, and season generously with salt, pepper, and seasonings.
- Sauté (optional). If your Instant Pot has a sauté function, drizzle in olive oil and brown the chicken on both sides for a few minutes. This adds flavor and color but isn’t required.
- Add liquid. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the pot.
- Insert trivet and place chicken. Set the chicken breast side up on the trivet.
- Pressure cook. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound. (For a 4-lb chicken, that’s 24 minutes.)
- Natural release. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Check temperature. Internal temp should be at least 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh.
- Optional crisping. For golden skin, transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes until browned.
- Rest before carving. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before slicing.
The Instant Pot makes quick work of dinner, just like it does with my Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Both recipes prove you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to get hearty, homemade flavor.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
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No Instant Pot? No problem. This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken version uses the same ingredients and yields a tender, flavorful bird with that homey, all-day-cooking aroma.
- Prep the chicken. Clean, pat dry, and season just like above.
- Optional sear. For color and flavor, brown the chicken in a skillet (3–4 minutes per side) before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Add liquid. Pour about ½ cup of chicken broth or water into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the chicken. Set it breast side up, optionally stuffing the cavity with onion and lemon halves.
- Cook time:
- Low: 4–6 hours
- High: 2½–3½ hours
(Check temperature at the 4-hour mark if cooking on low.)
- Check for doneness. Internal temperature should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Crisp the skin. Slow cookers don’t brown well, so transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes for crispy skin.
- Rest before serving. Let it rest 10 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.
Top Tips
- Don’t overcook: In both methods, overcooking can dry out the breast meat. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Size matters: 3–5 pounds works best for most appliances. Larger chickens may need more time.
- Add veggies: Toss in carrots, potatoes, or onions under the chicken for a built-in side dish.
Save the bones: Once you’ve enjoyed your meal, toss the carcass back in your Instant Pot or slow cooker with water, onion, celery, and herbs to make homemade chicken broth.
You can use the cooked chicken for recipes like Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup and in Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas. There are a ton of ways to use this recipe!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your chicken with:
- Mashed potatoes or roasted veggies
- Buttered noodles or rice
- A side salad and rolls for a simple Sunday-style dinner
And don’t forget to save leftovers for soups, casseroles, or chicken salad sandwiches.
FAQs
Only in the Instant Pot — not in the slow cooker. The slow cooker doesn’t reach a safe temperature fast enough for frozen poultry.
The moist environment keeps it from browning. A quick broil will fix that right up.
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and a touch of thyme or Italian seasoning is a crowd favorite here on the farm.
Want to stretch your leftovers even further? Use the bones to make Homemade Chicken Broth in the Instant Pot. It’s one of those “set it and forget it” recipes that’ll make you feel extra thrifty and resourceful.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
Looking for more easy family dinners? Browse all my Slow Cooker Recipes or Instant Pot Recipes — both are packed with simple, hearty meals that’ll help you get supper on the table without losing your sanity.
Recipe
Instant Pot Roast Chicken
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Ingredients
- 3-4 pound whole chicken insides removed
- 1 onion halved
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place your trivet in the Instant Pot. Add one cup of water to the bottom of the pot.
- Remove your chicken from packaging and discard the neck, gizzards or other insides. (I know, it's gross but it's gotta be done. Use a paper towel and be brave!).
- Place your halved onion inside the chicken cavity. If halves are too large you can quarter them.
- In a small bowl, combine dried spices and herbs. Gently pat the spice rub on the surface of the chicken.
- Place the chicken into your Instant Pot (or other electronic pressure cooker). Set the time based on the size of your chicken. As a general rule, you'll cook it 6 minutes for every pound of chicken, so the actual cooking time depends on the size of chicken you're using. For a 3 pound chicken, set the manual time for 18 minutes. For a 4 pound chicken, set the manual time for 24 minutes.
- Place the lid on and set to sealing position. Allow the chicken to cook the allotted time, then allow a natural pressure release, about 15 minutes.
- Insert an instant-read thermometer into the breast to check the internal temperature, which should read 165 degrees. Let cool slightly, then use tongs to remove it from the pot. Take care as there may be juices accumulated.
Carve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
Michelle @ Sunkissed Kitchen says
Now I want to try a chicken in my instant pot! This looks amazing. And what a sanity saver while meal prepping!
Deanne says
Yes! And it's soooo good!!
Michelle @ Sunkissed Kitchen says
Now I want to try a chicken in my instant pot! This looks amazing. And what a sanity saver while meal prepping!