How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

There was a time when cooking a whole chicken felt intimidating, but this is one of those methods that completely changed that for me. It’s simple, reliable, and gives you so much more than just one meal.

I make whole chickens like this all the time now because it solves multiple things at once. You get tender shredded chicken for meals, rich broth already made for you, and bones ready to turn into even more nourishing stock later.

This is one of those foundational kitchen habits that makes everything else easier. For a video tutorial, I use this method in this freezer meal prep video over on youtube.

Why You’ll Love This Method

This is one of those methods that makes cooking from scratch feel a lot more doable. It’s incredibly simple and mostly hands-off, but the results are consistently juicy and tender every time.

You’re not just making one meal either. You end up with a big batch of cooked chicken that can be used in multiple dishes throughout the week, plus a rich homemade broth already made for you in the same step.

It’s perfect for meal prep, especially if you’re trying to avoid processed foods and have easy options ready for lunches and quick dinners.

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

Step 1: Add the Chicken, Water, and Seasoning

Add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of your Instant Pot.

Season generously with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

You don’t need anything fancy here. Simple seasoning works really well because you’ll be using this chicken in different meals.

Step 2: Cook

Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. It will take a few minutes to come up to pressure before the timer starts, but after that it’s completely hands-off.

Once the cook time is up, let it naturally release for about 10–15 minutes if you have the time. This helps keep the chicken extra tender and juicy. After that, you can carefully release any remaining pressure and open the lid.

Step 4: Remove and shred

Carefully lift the chicken out and place it in a large bowl. Let it cool slightly so it’s easier to handle, then begin pulling off all the meat. You can shred or chop it depending on how you plan to use it.

As you go, separate everything into two bowls, one for the meat and one for the bones. This makes it easy to use the chicken right away and save the bones for broth later.

What to Do With the Chicken Meat

This is where this method really shines. You now have a big batch of cooked chicken ready to use in so many different ways throughout the week, which makes meal prep so much easier.

It’s perfect for:

• Chicken salad – personally my favorite way to use it!
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Tacos or Enchiladas
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Kids’ lunches (a great alternative to deli meat)

I love having this prepped and sitting in the fridge because it takes so much pressure off during the week. You can pull it out and turn it into a quick meal without starting from scratch every time.

What to Do With the Juices (Don’t Skip This)

When you open the Instant Pot, you’ll notice a rich, flavorful liquid left behind at the bottom. This is essentially a homemade broth that developed while the chicken cooked, and it’s full of flavor and nutrients. I always think of this as liquid gold because it’s so versatile and adds so much depth to anything you use it in.

Step 1: Strain
Pour the liquid through a strainer into jars or containers. I like to use glass jars or silicone containers for easy storage and reheating.

Step 2: Store
Store in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze for longer storage so you always have some on hand.

Step 3: Use
Use it for soups, cooking grains, adding to sauces, or sipping as broth. If it gels in the fridge, that’s a good sign it’s rich in collagen.

What to Do With the Bones

Do not throw these away. This is where you really start to stretch your ingredients and get the most out of what you already have. With just a little extra time later on, those leftover bones can turn into a rich, nourishing broth that gives you even more meals from the same chicken.

Step 1: Save
Place all bones, skin, and scraps into a container or bag and freeze until you’re ready to use them.

Step 2: Simmer
Add bones to a pot or Instant Pot with water, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and optional aromatics. Cook on high pressure for a few hours until rich and flavorful. If you want a full walkthrough on how to do this, check out my post on How To Make Bone Broth in the Instant Pot.

Step 3: Strain & Store
Strain and store just like before, using jars or containers for easy use later on. This second broth is even richer and more nourishing, with a deeper flavor and more collagen, making it perfect for soups, sipping, or adding extra nutrients to everyday meals.

Tips for Success

• Salt generously, it really brings out the flavor and makes a big difference in the final result
• Don’t overthink the seasoning since this is a base protein that will be used in multiple meals
• Use two chickens if you want to prep ahead and have plenty of cooked chicken for the week, just cook them in separate batches for the best results.
• Save everything you can, including the broth and bones, so nothing goes to waste
• Let the broth cool slightly before storing to make handling easier and safer

Final Thoughts

This is one of the simplest ways to start cooking more from scratch without adding extra work to your day.

You’re not just making dinner. You’re setting yourself up with protein for multiple meals, broth for soups and cooking and ingredients for even more nourishing recipes later.

Once you start doing this regularly, it becomes second nature.

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