Instant Pot Whole Chicken and Gravy

chicken roasted in oven after instant pot cooking

5 from 10 votes

I admit I was skeptical, but instant pot whole chicken actually tastes exactly like traditional oven roasted chicken. It's moist, flavorful, juicy chicken and creates its own rich oniony gravy. Ready in 60 minutes flat.

Prep Time5

Cook Time55

Total Time1

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings (change as needed):

Author: Cheryl Avrich

US Measures - Metric

Ingredients

3.5 lbs whole chicken, Note 1
salt and black pepper to taste
1 onion, peeled, cut into pieces
1/4 lemon (optional)
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 garlic clove, peeled
Optional; any cut up vegetables that will roast at 500F/260C in 10 minutes e.g. broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, peppers (for a side dish).

Seasoning for chicken (or use pre-made seasoning)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon each, garlic powder and onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or paprika)
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon rosemary

For gravy recipe

2 tablespoon grease created from chicken in instant pot (or oil)
2 tablespoon flour
2 cups broth from the instant pot
seasonings to taste: thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper

US Measures - Metric

Instructions

SEASON CHICKEN: Sprinkle salt and pepper inside chicken cavity and add a couple chunks onion and lemon if desired. Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Rub 2/3 of it on chicken, including under the skin of chicken breasts (gently loosen skin from flesh, then smear it).
PREPARE FOR INSTANT POT COOKING: Put broth, onions and garlic clove into the bottom of the pot (6-8 quart instant pot). Place the trivet that comes with pot over the mixture. Place chicken on top, chicken breast-side up.
INSTANT POT SETTINGS/COOKING: Place on instant pot lid and turn clockwise to lock. Turn valve to SEALING position. Push HIGH PRESSURE or MANUAL button. Use + or - buttons to set time. Calculate time at 6 minutes per pound (450 g) LESS 1 minute. So a 3.5 lb/1.59 kg chicken will take (3.5 x 6) - 1 = 20 minutes. Therefore set time to 20 minutes. Pressure will take 10-15 minutes to build before the pressure clock starts. When finished (instant pot will beep), wait 15 minutes for a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE, then do a quick release if necessary for the pressure button to pop down.
HEAT OVEN to 500F/260C while chicken is cooking in instant pot. Prepare a pan, lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with oil. If desired, add veggies for roasting on half the pan, tossing them with olive oil, salt and pepper.
FINISH CHICKEN IN OVEN (WITH VEGGIES if using): Remove chicken from instant pot (I use two forks at either end - don't pierce meat). Place on prepared pan along side veggies if using. Brush remaining seasoning on chicken skin. Roast for 10 minutes until skin browns. Instant thermometer should show an internal temperature of 165F. Cut up chicken on cutting board and serve with gravy.
MAKE GRAVY: (Note 2 to make directly in instant pot). While chicken is roasting in oven, discard onions and garlic from instant pot. Pour broth into a separator (or skim grease from broth and reserve). Put 2 tablespoons grease in separate saucepan. Heat to medium heat. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups broth (juices) from the instant pot. Continue cooking for a few minutes until thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding thyme, salt, pepper as desired. Add more broth if needed to desired consistency.

Notes

Size of chicken: The maximum size chicken that will fit in a 6 quart/5.68 liter Instant Pot is approximately 4 pounds/1.18 kg. You can cook a larger chicken with an 8 quart/7.57 liter pot.
For a quicker gluten free gravy made directly in the Instant Pot (no extra saucepan):
- Skim the grease from the broth if desired, remove the onions with a slotted spoon.
- Press the sauté setting on the instant pot
- Make a slurry of 1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon water.
- When the broth is bubbling, add the cornstarch slurry and stir gravy until thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Make Ahead:
- The chicken can be cooked in the Instant Pot then left on counter, loosely covered with foil (or in the Instant Pot on OFF, cover ajar) for up to an hour.
- The gravy can be made ahead as well once the chicken is finished cooking in the Instant Pot. Roast the chicken in the oven and heat the gravy just before serving.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container.

Note: Fall off the bone: Two people have mentioned that the chicken was delicious but it fell apart when taking it out of the instant pot. Other recipes have noted this too. I have made this chicken several times and it always stays intact. Perhaps they didn't subtract the 1-2 minutes off the instant pot cook time to allow for roasting afterwards in the 500F/260C oven. Or perhaps their instant pots were bigger? (mine is 6 quarts). Nevertheless, no one complained about the delicious tender moist chicken!

Nutrition value estimates include a quarter of the whole chicken and gravy. They do not include optional vegetables roasted at the end in the final oven stage of cooking.