How Long To Pressure Cook A 5lb Chicken

04.23.19

Updated: 07.09.19

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This step-by-step guide for the best Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken recipe is going to be your new weeknight go-to! In no time at all you'll have the most tender fall-off-the-bone chicken with crispy skin.

a whole chicken in a pressure cooker

Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken

My life has seriously changed since I started using my pressure cooker. Everything cooks up so fast and the flavors are unbeatable! This recipe for pressure cooker whole chicken is something I've been testing and working on to master. I've finally figured out the magical formula and am so excited to share this recipe with you all.

I kept this recipe nice and basic with a compound butter massaged and spread under the skin of my chicken. It's the little things that will take your cooking to the next level! This will be a meal you and your family will always look forward to.

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed for making a roast chicken in the pressure cooker

Ingredients in Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken

This recipe is very easy to customize. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite herbs and seasonings! Try out a dry rub if you want to reduce calories. Keep scrolling for the full recipe and ingredient amounts.

For this recipe you'll need:

Whole chicken – I used a 3 lb chicken and used some twine to tie the ends of the legs together.
Butter – I always use unsalted butter to have more control over the amount of sodium in my chicken.
Herbs – Use fresh herbs if possible! They make a wonderful difference. I used thyme and rosemary. If you use dried herbs, cut the amounts called for in half.
Garlic – I love to use lots of garlic! You can use as much or as little as you like.
Lemon zest – I have a microplane to get perfect and tiny lemon zest. It really brightens up the flavors.
Salt & pepper – Season as per your own preference.
Chicken broth – We need liquid to build up pressure. You can use any broth you have handy or even water.

process shots showing how to prepare a chicken for making in the pressure cooker

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Pressure Cooker

I used a Ninja Foodi to cook this chicken. The instructions will be the exact same for any other type of pressure cooker, including Instant Pot. The difference is that the Ninja Foodi is also an air fryer so we could crisp the chicken up right in the same pot.

Make the compound butter: Mix the butter, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
Season the chicken: Carefully create pockets between the chicken's skin and meat with your hands. Spread the prepared butter under the skin. Make sure to get both breasts and legs.
Pressure cook the chicken: Pour the broth into the pressure cooker pot. Place the chicken on your pressure cooker's wire rack inside the pot. Melt the remaining compound butter and brush half of it over the chicken. Cook on the pressure setting for 15 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the rest.
Air fry the chicken: Using the air crisp function, set the temperature to 400F. Brush the chicken with the remaining butter. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until browned.

The chicken you use may be larger or smaller than mine. A good rule of thumb is to pressure cook your chicken for 5-6 minutes per pound. I've tested the times for cooking chicken in a pressure cooker, and have found that many recipes call for too much time. My method will give you tender and perfectly cooked chicken without the bird completely falling apart.

process shots showing how to cook a chicken in the pressure cooker

How Do I Crisp the Skin Without an Air Fryer?

If you don't have an air fryer, you can use the broil function on your oven. Prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack. Carefully place the chicken on the rack and broil for around 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken, until the skin has browned to your liking. This may take more or less time depending on your oven.

Can I Use a Frozen Chicken?

You definitely can! The only difference is that you won't be able to put the compound butter underneath the skin of your chicken. Spread the compound butter on top of the chicken. Pressure cook your chicken for 10-12 minutes per pound and use the same instructions as per the recipe for crisping the chicken.

overhead shot of a roast chicken with roasted potatoes on a white platter

How to Make Chicken Gravy

Strain the drippings from the pot of your pressure cooker using a sieve into a saucepan then skim the excess fat using a spoon.
Add a sprig of each rosemary and thyme, then bring the drippings to a simmer.
Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp each cornstarch and water) and whisk well. Mix up more of the slurry and add it a splash at a time, while whisking, until the desired thickness has been reached. The cornstarch needs heat to thicken up so make sure the gravy is bubbling.
Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a gravy boat.

What to Serve With Pressure Cooker Chicken

You can serve pretty much any sides you love with this simple recipe! Check out some of my favorites:

Mashed Potatoes
Old Fashioned Green Beans
Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Italian Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Fast and Easy No Knead Bread

a white plate with sliced roasted chicken breast and roasted potatoes

How to Store Leftovers

Transfer your leftovers to an airtight container in the fridge and store up to 4 days. The gravy will last in the fridge, covered, for 2 days, or 1 week if you bring it to a full boil before serving.

To freeze your leftovers, I would shred the remaining chicken and store in an airtight container. You can also store the chicken in individual sized containers for easier thawing. It will last up to 4 months. Thaw either in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth.

Pro Tip: Save the bones and throw them back in your pressure cooker with the leftover meat. Use this recipe for chicken noodle soup made right in your pressure cooker!

a white platter with a roast chicken and potatoes

Try These Delicious Pressure Cooker Recipes!

Butter Chicken
BBQ Pork Ribs
Chicken and Dumplings
Beef Stroganoff
Chicken Shawarma

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This step-by-step guide for the best Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken recipe is going to be your new weeknight go-to! In no time at all you'll have the most tender fall-off-the-bone chicken with crispy skin.

▢ 3 pound whole chicken
▢ ½ cup butter unsalted
▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 tablespoon rosemary fresh, chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon thyme fresh, chopped
▢ 2 teaspoon lemon zest (zest from one lemon)
▢ ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
▢ 1 cup chicken broth low sodium or no sodium added

Make the compound butter: Mix the butter, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
Season the chicken: Carefully create pockets between the chicken's skin and meat with your hands. Spread the prepared butter under the skin. Make sure to get both breasts and legs. Use butchers twine to to tie the ends of the legs together.
Pressure cook the chicken: Pour the broth into the pressure cooker pot. Place the chicken on your pressure cooker's wire rack inside the pot. Melt the remaining compound butter and brush half of it over the chicken. Cook on the pressure setting for 15 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the rest.
Air fry the chicken: Using the air crisp function, set the temperature to 400F. Brush the chicken with the remaining butter. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until browned.

Cooking times: Cook your chicken for 5-6 minutes per pound for a thawed chicken or 10-12 minutes per pound for a frozen chicken.

Leftovers: Transfer your leftovers to anairtight container in the fridge and store up to4 days. The gravy will last in the fridge, covered, for 2 days, or 1 week if you bring it to afull boil before serving.

No air fryer: If you don't have an air fryer, you can use thebroil function on your oven. Prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack. Carefully place the chicken on the rack and broil for around5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken, until the skin has browned to your liking. This may take more or less time depending on your oven.

Nutrition: Nutritional information is based on a quarter chicken. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

You can purchase the Ninja Foodi here.

Calories: 574 kcal (29%) Carbohydrates: 2 g (1%) Protein: 32 g (64%) Fat: 48 g (74%) Saturated Fat: 21 g (131%) Cholesterol: 183 mg (61%) Sodium: 427 mg (19%) Potassium: 382 mg (11%) Vitamin A: 1045 IU (21%) Vitamin C: 8.2 mg (10%) Calcium: 48 mg (5%) Iron: 2.2 mg (12%)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot roast chicken, pressure cooker whole chicken, roast chicken

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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