Preparation Time: 50 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
This Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is a game-changer for busy families. With only four ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you’ll have a juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken that’s perfect for a low-carb, high-protein dinner. Whether you’re meal-prepping or serving a crowd, this method is fast, easy, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3 lbs)
- 1 whole yellow or red onion
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot and place the steam rack inside.
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 1 minute on each side to lock in flavor and color. Remove from heat.
- Place the whole onion inside the cavity of the chicken for added flavor.
- Transfer the chicken to the steam rack in the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure (Poultry setting). Cook for 6 minutes per pound of chicken plus an additional 2 minutes. For a 3 lb chicken, this equals 20 minutes total.
- Once cooking is complete, allow the steam to release naturally for 20 minutes.
- Open the lid carefully and serve your juicy, tender whole chicken hot.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 236
- Fats: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Proteins: 20 g
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Cooking: No need to roast for hours—done in under an hour using pressure cooking.
- Clean Ingredients: Just 4 simple ingredients and no additives.
- High Protein: 20 grams of protein per serving—perfect for keto and low-carb diets.
- Budget Friendly: One chicken feeds the whole family, or can be shredded for multiple meals.
Pro Tips
- Add herbs or garlic cloves to the cavity for more flavor.
- Use the leftover broth at the bottom of the pot for soups or sauces.
- Broil the cooked chicken for 3–5 minutes if you prefer crispy skin.