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Easy Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken photo

Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken

Juicy, herb-butter whole chicken cooked in a pressure cooker then crisped for golden skin.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pound whole chicken
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
  • 4 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
  • 2 teaspoon lemon zest zest from one lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium or no-sodium added

Equipment

  • pressure cooker with wire rack or trivet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Basting brush
  • kitchen twine (butcher's twine)
  • air fryer or oven broiler
  • small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl

Method
 

  1. Make the compound butter by combining 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until evenly mixed.
  2. Carefully loosen the skin over the breasts and legs with your fingers to create pockets, then spread most of the compound butter under the skin, distributing it over both breasts and legs.
  3. Tie the chicken legs together with butcher's twine and tuck the wing tips under the bird if desired.
  4. Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the pressure cooker pot and place the wire rack or trivet inside. Set the chicken on the rack, breast-side up.
  5. Melt a small amount of the remaining compound butter and brush about half over the outside of the chicken.
  6. Seal and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before performing a quick release for any remaining pressure.
  7. Remove the chicken from the cooker. Using the air crisp or air fryer function at 400°F (or an oven broiler), brush the chicken with the remaining butter and cook 10–15 minutes until the skin is browned and crisp.
  8. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

  • Cook thawed chicken about 5–6 minutes per pound under pressure.
  • Cook frozen chicken about 10–12 minutes per pound under pressure.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Gravy keeps covered in the fridge for 2 days or 1 week if brought to a full boil before storing.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, broil on a wire rack until skin browns, watching closely.