Easy Rotisserie Style Chicken in Your Instant Pot

Forget the supermarket hassle and elevate your weeknight dinner with a homemade **Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken** that’s unbelievably juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor! In less than an hour of active cooking time, you can transform a simple whole chicken into a culinary masterpiece right in your own kitchen. This pressure cooker method not only delivers exceptional results but also offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what ingredients are going into your meal.

The magic of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to cook food under pressure, locking in moisture and intensifying flavors. This results in an incredibly succulent **Pressure Cooker Roast Chicken** that practically falls off the bone. Beyond serving it as a standalone entrée, the leftovers are a versatile treasure, perfect for countless recipes that will make your meal prep a breeze and your family asking for more.

Unlock the Benefits: Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Roast Chicken Recipe

Once you experience the ease and deliciousness of preparing a whole chicken in your Instant Pot, you might never go back to store-bought. Here’s why this recipe is destined to become a family favorite:

• Effortless Weeknight Dinner Solution: Life gets busy, but delicious and healthy meals shouldn’t be a luxury. This Instant Pot chicken streamlines dinner prep, getting a perfectly cooked, flavorful roast chicken on your table in a fraction of the time it takes to oven-roast. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when you crave homemade comfort without the long wait.
• Unmatched Tenderness and Juiciness: The pressure cooking environment is a game-changer for poultry. It ensures that every inch of the chicken, from breast to thigh, remains incredibly moist and tender. Unlike traditional roasting which can sometimes dry out parts of the bird, the Instant Pot creates a consistently succulent result that you can effortlessly cut with a fork.
• Total Control Over Ingredients: Say goodbye to mystery ingredients and excessive sodium often found in store-bought rotisserie chickens. When you make it at home, you have complete command over the seasoning, rub, and any additional aromatics. This allows you to tailor the flavor profile precisely to your family’s preferences and dietary needs, making it a healthier and more personalized option.
• Economical and Convenient: Buying whole chickens and cooking them yourself is often more cost-effective than purchasing pre-cooked rotisserie chickens. Plus, it eliminates an extra trip to the grocery store if you already have a chicken in the fridge, making it a super convenient choice for spontaneous meal planning.
• Versatile for Meal Prep: A whole Instant Pot chicken provides a fantastic base for meal prepping. You can carve and serve it fresh, then easily shred the remaining meat for use in a variety of dishes throughout the week, saving you valuable time and effort on subsequent meals.

My family has always enjoyed my oven-roasted Rotisserie Style Chicken, so it was a natural step to adapt the same beloved dry rub for a speedier method using the Instant Pot. During a period without a fully functional kitchen, my Instant Pot became my culinary hero, and this Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken was a delightful revelation – exceeding all expectations for speed and flavor!

One of the standout advantages of an Instant Pot over a slow cooker is its sauté function. This means you can brown the chicken skin directly in the same pot before pressure cooking, eliminating the need for extra pans and reducing cleanup. For me, with limited kitchen access, this feature was invaluable, allowing me to achieve that beautiful golden skin without a stove. I simply applied the savory rub the night before, then gave the chicken a quick sear to develop color and flavor before letting the pressure cooker work its magic.

As with my other Instant Pot endeavors, the chicken was exceptionally juicy and tender. While picking up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the market offers immediate convenience, this homemade version guarantees freshness, superior flavor, and the ability to customize it exactly how you like. No more guessing about cook times or ingredients – just perfectly cooked chicken, every time.

Mastering Your Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken: Essential Tips for Success

Even if you’re new to pressure cooking, making a whole chicken in an Instant Pot is remarkably straightforward. Modern Instant Pots are designed for safety and ease of use, a far cry from the “rattly appliances” of yesteryear. Just follow these tips to ensure a flawless and delicious result:

• The Power of Dry Brining: My journey with dry brining began with Thanksgiving turkeys, and it has since become my secret weapon for infusing deep flavor and moisture into all poultry. By massaging a salt-heavy, aromatic rub onto the chicken and refrigerating it overnight, osmosis draws the seasonings deep into the meat. This process not only enhances the flavor profile significantly but also helps the chicken retain its natural juices during cooking, ensuring a more tender and succulent outcome.
• Aromatics for Added Depth: Don’t underestimate the impact of cavity stuffings. Placing quartered onions, fresh lemon wedges, garlic cloves, or even sprigs of rosemary or thyme into the chicken’s cavity adds another layer of subtle flavor and fragrance. While not strictly essential, these aromatics gently perfume the chicken from the inside out, creating a more complex and inviting aroma and taste.
• PRO-Tip for Golden Skin: Achieving beautifully browned skin is crucial for both appearance and flavor. Before sautéing, ensure the chicken’s skin is thoroughly dry. I recommend patting it down diligently with paper towels. Dry skin browns more effectively and quickly, creating that desirable golden crust. For truly crispy skin, consider an optional post-pressure-cook step: transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil it for just a few minutes, watching it very closely to prevent burning. This will crisp up the skin beautifully without drying out the interior.
• Fall-Off-The-Bone Tenderness: The Instant Pot consistently produces chicken that is incredibly tender, making it ideal for shredding. This means your Instant Pot rotisserie chicken pieces are perfect for a wide array of dishes: think comforting casseroles, fresh and vibrant chicken salads, hearty soups, or even quick sandwiches. Of course, it’s equally delightful sliced and served as is for a classic family dinner.
• Flavor Exploration with Rubs: The beauty of homemade rotisserie chicken is the endless customization. Experiment with different spice blends to match your culinary mood. A Tex-Mex rub will yield leftovers perfect for tacos, fajitas, or quesadillas. Explore Greek-inspired herbs like oregano and marjoram, Asian spices like ginger and five-spice, or classic French herbs de Provence. Remember, a good poultry rub designed for dry brining will typically contain a generous amount of kosher salt, which is key for both moisture retention and flavor.
• PRO-Tip for Oven Lovers: If you prefer the traditional oven-roasted method, you can achieve a “rotisserie-style” chicken by cooking it at a low temperature of 250ºF for approximately 3.5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching bone) registers 180ºF. This low-and-slow approach also yields incredibly tender chicken, albeit with a longer cooking time.

Creative Culinary Canvas: How to Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

As the weather cools and comfort foods take center stage, a homemade Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken is your perfect starting point. The beauty of this recipe isn’t just in the initial meal, but in the incredible versatility of its leftovers. You might even find yourself wanting to cook two chickens just to ensure you have plenty for creative meal planning!

Here are some delicious and inspiring suggestions for transforming your leftover chicken:

• Elevated Chicken Salads: Beyond the classic, try my delightful Fruity Chicken Salad, easily adaptable to your family’s preferences. Add grapes, apples, cranberries, or nuts for varying textures and flavors. A simple mayo-based salad can be transformed with fresh herbs like dill or tarragon.
• Hearty Casseroles and Bakes: Shredded chicken is a star in comforting casseroles. My Green Chili Chicken Casserole promises a flavorful kick, while a creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole is pure indulgence. You can also whip up a quick chicken pot pie, a cheesy chicken and rice bake, or a layered chicken enchilada casserole.
• Dips and Appetizers: Turn your leftovers into crowd-pleasing appetizers. My Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe, originally made with canned chicken, becomes exponentially more delicious and robust with tender rotisserie chicken. Consider mini chicken quesadillas, chicken spring rolls, or even chicken and cheese stuffed jalapeños.
• Soups and Stews: For a warming meal, add shredded chicken to chicken noodle soup, a creamy chicken and wild rice soup, a spicy tortilla soup, or a hearty white bean chicken chili. The pre-cooked chicken reduces simmering time significantly.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Create quick lunches with chicken sandwiches, wraps, or pitas. Combine with avocado, lettuce, tomato, and a favorite dressing for a fresh and satisfying meal. Chicken salad melts are another fantastic option.
• Ethnic-Inspired Dishes: Leverage your chicken for international flavors. Think chicken tacos, fajitas, burritos, chicken fried rice, curried chicken, or even a quick chicken stir-fry. The possibilities are truly endless!

No matter your preference, your perfectly cooked Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken provides a delicious foundation for endless culinary creativity. You’ll soon discover your own favorite ways to enjoy every last bite!

The Recipe:

Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken: Your Go-To Quick & Easy Whole Chicken Recipe

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
50 minutes

Total Time
1 hour

Yield
4 servings

Achieve a perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful whole chicken in your Instant Pot in less than an hour, making it the ultimate solution for a quick and impressive homemade meal!

Ingredients

For the Aromatic Spice Rub

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a subtle kick, adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken

• 4 pound whole chicken (roasting chicken, giblets and neck removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Lemon quarters, onion quarters, and/or garlic cloves (optional, for stuffing cavity)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Rub: The day before you plan to cook, combine all spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Pat the whole chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the entire surface of the chicken, ensuring an even coating.
2. Dry Brine Overnight: Place the seasoned chicken on a tray or plate and cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight (or for at least 6-8 hours) to allow the flavors to penetrate and the skin to dry out, promoting better browning.
3. Stuff the Cavity (Optional): On the day of cooking, if desired, stuff the chicken’s cavity with lemon quarters, onion quarters, and/or garlic cloves for added aromatic flavor.
4. Sear the Chicken: Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot and set to HIGH. Add olive oil to the inner pot. Once hot, carefully place the chicken into the pot, breast-side down. Sear for about 5 minutes until beautifully browned. Using tongs, carefully flip the chicken and sear the other side for another 5 minutes until browned. Remove the chicken to a platter.
5. Deglaze and Setup: Place the metal trivet (or a steamer rack) into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Pour the chicken broth into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon – this prevents a “burn” notice and adds flavor.
6. Pressure Cook: Carefully place the seared chicken on the trivet, breast side up, inside the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, lock it into place, and ensure the vent is set to SEALING.
7. Set Cooking Time: Select the HIGH PRESSURE setting and set the timer for 24 minutes (this timing is typically for a 4-pound chicken; adjust +/- 6 minutes per pound for larger/smaller chickens).
8. Natural Pressure Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. After this period, carefully turn the valve to VENTING to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, you can safely open the lid.
9. Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the chicken to a clean platter. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a supremely moist chicken. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For Crispier Skin: If you desire a crispier skin after pressure cooking, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet. Place it under a preheated broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching very carefully to avoid burning. This quick broil will add a beautiful golden crispness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 1132Total Fat: 65gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 41gCholesterol: 400mgSodium: 1548mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 125g

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