How To Make an Instant Pot Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style

Cook a tender, perfectly roasted whole chicken in your Instant Pot rotisserie-style in less than an hour! This recipe turns out perfectly every time. Perfect for an easy dinner or to have on hand for added protein in your favorite chicken recipes throughout the week. No need to run out for a fresh rotisserie chicken!

Original recipe posted: April 2019 | Recipe updated: October 2019

Why This Recipe Works

I am a huge Rotisserie chicken fan. Every single time I bring a savory, smokin’ hot, delicious chicken home from the store, I immediately dig into the dark meat and eat every morsel. It is sooo tender and delicious!

Occasionally I have white meat left over to use in recipes like these homemade burrito bowls.

I knew I had to either start buying two Rotisserie chickens at a time because running to the grocery stores so often isn’t realistic OR I had to start making my own (ding ding). Since I’ve been on a massive Instant Pot kick lately, my solution was obvious.

I have started purchasing uncooked whole chickens and making my own Rotisserie-style chicken in my Instant Pot. My mind was kinda blown when it not only worked, but came out PERFECTLY. I’m talking tender, juicy, perfectly-cooked meat, my friends.

How To Make An Instant Pot Whole Rotisserie Chicken

It is SO EASY to make your own Rotisserie chicken following this Instant Pot recipe. Follow these simple steps to make it happen!

Step 1

Combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Rub the mixture over the surface of the chicken.

Set Instant Pot to saute setting and add the olive oil. Add the whole chicken (3-4 pounds), breast side down to the pot and cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip chicken over and cook 5 minutes on the other side.

Step 2

Remove chicken from pot and add chicken stock or chicken broth. Deglaze pot (remove bits from bottom using a spoon), place trivet inside and add the chicken, breast side up.

Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 30 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). Make sure to set your valve to seal. It will take the pot around 10-11 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.

Step 3

When cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes then set to Quick Release. Let the float valve drop and remove the cover. Remove chicken and serve!

Recipe Notes

• The 30-minute cook time applies to whole chickens that are between 3 and 4 pounds (approximately 8 minutes per pound). Add 5 minutes to your cooking time for every pound over 4 lbs.
• Before you place the chicken in the Instant Pot, be sure to remove any gizzards bags that may be stuffed inside.
• Feel free to add stuffing to the inside of your chicken, but be sure it isn’t spilling out of the cavity. A standard rule of thumb is to use 1/2 cup for every pound of meat. Try adding large onion pieces, apples, dried bread pieces, cubed potatoes, spices, seasonings or a mixture of any of the above!
• Do not skip the sauteing step, as this is what will give you a chicken with deliciously crispy skin. Plus, browning your chicken helps to avoid that too-white color that isn’t appealing when you remove it from the pot.

How To Cook Frozen Whole Chicken in a Pressure Cooker

Cooking time varies based on the size of your chicken AND Instant Pot. Why? Because larger size Instant Pots have larger volume (area inside) for more pressure to build up. Thus, it takes longer to bring pressure down.

8-quart pressure cookers keep cooking chicken while bringing down the pressure for 40 minutes vs. the 6-quart version that takes only 15 minutes to come down from pressure.

Cook a whole 4-pound frozen chicken in a pressure cooker for 60 minutes on high pressure using the pressure cook button. When it is finished cooking, use your Thermapen to ensure an internal temperature of 165 degrees F has been reached.

Stock vs Bone Broth

Chicken stock tends to be made more from the bones of the animal, and is used for cooking. Whereas chicken broth is made more out of meat and is something known for sipping on.

Chicken stock tends to have a fuller mouth feel and richer flavor, due to the gelatin released by long-simmering bones which extracts lots of flavor. While some people use them interchangeably, the collagen in broth offers a richer texture.

What To Serve With Rotisserie Chicken

Here are a few ideas for side dishes that taste great alongside Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken!

• Sauteed Zucchini Noodles
• Slow Cooker Hot Corn Dip
• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Uses For Rotisserie Chicken Meat

There are endless possibilities for ways to use Rotisserie chicken meat. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• Shred the chicken and add it to your next wrap or salad.
• Add it to your next batch of chicken noodle soup!
• Use it in chicken enchiladas or this yummy chicken enchilada bake.
• CHICKEN BURRITO BOWLS! Chipotle style!
• Throw it into some cheesy quesadillas or even a grilled cheese sandwich!
• Once all the meat is removed from the chicken carcass, you can make a delicious, healthy bone broth with just a few vegetables that can then be used to cook or feel free to freeze it for future meals. Follow the simple steps in my Ham Bone Broth tutorial with whatever meat you have on hand.

Why Does It Take My Instant Pot So Long To Pressurize

The time leading up to actual cook time may seem long and even confusing (“What is going ON in there?!”), but it’s an important part of the process! The Instant Pot is working on building up the appropriate amount of pressure that it will be cooking the food at.

It handles liquids and solids differently and also fresh and frozen differently, so the time can vary. Most recipes take between 10 and 25 minutes to build up pressure.

Best Instant Pot Recipes

The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes

• Goulash – Make comforting, hearty Goulash in your Instant Pot! This American version of Goulash could not be easier or more delicious. It cooks perfectly every time and is done in only 30 minutes. Perfect easy dinner any night of the week!
• Chicken Noodle Soup made using a pressure cooker will save you time and will produce the most perfectly cooked soup you’ll ever taste. Great, quick meal for any night of the week or for your next gathering!
• Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan/stovetop cleaning required with this side dish. The Instant Pot gets this easy mashed potato recipe done in 30 minutes!
• Chili made easy in your pressure cooker is THE BEST! This recipe is the absolute perfect comfort food, packed with flavor, texture, color and a tiny bit of spice. Perfect dinner or party food!
• Chicken Tortilla Soup is the BEST! It is packed with flavor, it is super easy to make and it tastes like it’s been cooked low and slow all day long. Throw it together for your next family dinner OR your next big gathering. Either way, it’ll get devoured!