This tutorial on How to Cook Frozen Whole Chicken in Instant Pot will change your dinner routine forever! You will learn how to make rotisserie style chicken without thawing it and with only 5 minutes of prep, in your electric pressure cooker. It comes out super juicy!
If you have fresh chicken, check out this Instant Pot whole chicken or slow cooker whole chicken recipes.
So, can you cook frozen whole chicken in Instant Pot? Absolutely! Out of all Instant Pot recipes on iFoodReal, pressure cooking frozen chicken is the most popular one in our house!
We also cook frozen chicken breasts in Instant Pot because truth is we often forget to thaw the meat.
It is my husband’s favorite Instant Pot recipe to make because it is “embarrassingly” easy! It is definitely one of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners to master!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy: Takes just 5 minutes of prep. Not to mention it’s made with all staple ingredients.
- Much healthier than store-bought: I don’t know about you but where I live organic rotisserie chicken is hard to come by or costs a lot. Also by using simple spices we skip on MSG and loads of sodium.
- It’s so darn convenient: My freezer is always stocked with 2-4 organic whole chickens from Costco. Rotisserie chicken guaranteed any time you feel like one. Imagine putting whole frozen chicken in Instant Pot and having tasty chicken in an hour-ish?!
- It’s delish: Even chicken breast cooked in Instant Pot comes out juicy, tender and flavorful, and you can crisp up the skin, yes!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Frozen Whole Chicken
- Chicken: Frozen whole chicken, about 3 – 6 pounds or more, depending on the size of pressure cooker you have.
- Oil: Any mild tasting oil like olive oil, avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Smoked paprika: Gives lots of flavor and “roasted” look.
- Garlic powder: Dried powder will stick to frozen chicken better than fresh grated garlic.
- Dried oregano: Any dried herb like basil, crushed rosemary, or Italian seasoning blend can be substituted.
- Salt and pepper: To bring out flavors in all ingredients.
How to Cook Whole Frozen Chicken in Instant Pot
Here is how to pressure cook frozen chicken step-by-step with photos. Full recipe card is located below.
Rinse chicken: Place whole chicken in a sink, rinse with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Keep the twine on the legs to prevent chicken from falling apart. It will be hard to remove anyways.
You need to rinse the chicken, so oil and spices stick to it.
Rub chicken with oil: Place chicken on a plate or right inside the Instant Pot and rub evenly with oil. Your fingers will get cold quickly, washing with warm soapy water immediately helps.
Sprinkle chicken with spices: Place bird chicken breast side down and sprinkle with spices in the following order – salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano. It helps more ground spices stick first.
Transfer chicken onto a plate.
Add frozen chicken to Instant Pot: Add trivet and 1 cup cold water to your Instant Pot. Place frozen chicken in Instant Pot breasts side up, close the lid and set valve to Sealing position.
Cook: Cook chicken on High pressure as per cooking times chart below. It largely depends on the size of your chicken.
Let pressure release naturally: Super important step is to allow the pressure to come down on its own until the pin drops because chicken keeps cooking with residual heat. Learn more about Natural Pressure Release.
How Long to Cook Frozen Whole Chicken in Instant Pot?
Time varies based on the size of your chicken AND Instant Pot.
Why? Because larger size Instant Pot has larger volume (area) for more pressure to build up. Thus, it takes longer to bring pressure down. Therefore, 8 quart pressure cooker keeps cooking chicken while bringing down pressure for 40 minutes vs. 6 quart pressure cooker that takes only 15 minutes.
For 6 quart Instant Pot:
- 3 pounds whole chicken – 50 minutes.
- 4 pounds whole chicken – 60 minutes.
- 5 pounds whole chicken – 70 minutes.
For 8 quart Instant Pot:
- 4 pounds whole chicken – 40 minutes.
- 5 pounds whole chicken – 50 minutes.
- 6 pounds whole chicken – 60 minutes.
For 3 quart Instant Pot: Honest disclosure is that I do not have this Instant Pot size. However, in comments below I gave reader Miranda a suggestion to cook the whole bird for 17 minutes per pound with Natural Release and she said it came out perfect!
For 10 quart Instant Pot: I never used one but logically since its capacity is even bigger than 8 quart, I would reduce cook time by 10 minutes less for each size of chicken that is listed for 8 quart. Just like the difference between 6 and 8 quart.
Tips for Best Results
- If your chicken has giblets: You can cook frozen chicken with giblets inside and remove them after cooking. Most giblets are in a paper bag (I haven’t seen them in plastic bag for a while). If you buy fresh whole chicken, you can remove giblets before freezing. If you find out after cooking giblets were in the plastic, it is best to discard the chicken. That’s why, I recommend to use familiar to you brand of chicken for this recipe.
- Leave Keep Warm on before cooking: By default, every Instant Pot has Keep Warm function on at all times unless you press Cancel before selecting cook time. It is indicated by L0:00 display. What it means is that, for example in the photo above, my chicken has finished cooking 56 minutes ago. It is super helpful info since we do not sit and watch pressure cooker cooking and Natural release is a must with this recipe!
- Don’t do quick Release: Please do not vent pressure by turning valve to Venting and come back and tell me your chicken was raw. Your Instant Pot needs to bring pressure down on its own during which time meat keeps cooking with residual heat. Do not follow the Quick Release, turning Sealing valve to Venting position if pressure pin is still up.
- To get crispy skin: Carefully transfer cooked chicken in Instant Pot onto baking sheet and broil for a few minutes to crisp up the skin. If you have an air fryer lid, just pop it on top – even easier!
What to Do With Chicken Broth at the Bottom?
After pressure cooking the chicken, you will end up with delicious juices at the bottom of the pot. It’s golden liquid! Make any soup recipe with it or try it in a borscht recipe! Refrigerate chicken broth until ready to cook.
You can also save the bones and make more Instant Pot chicken broth with it, possibly combining with raw chicken, leftover cooking liquid and more water. This is basically how I cook Instant Pot chicken noodle soup. Keep flavorful broth at the bottom of the pot, throw back in the bones and leftover chicken meat, then add desired amount of water. Pressure cook on High for 1-2 hours.
Then add frozen vegetables and pasta, close the lid and let soup cook with residual heat another 5-10 minutes. Season to taste.
Serving Ideas
To serve Instant Pot frozen whole chicken, treat it like a rotisserie chicken. Here are a few ideas:
- Mashed potatoes: Serve however you would serve a rotisserie chicken with healthy mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes.
- Rice: After making chicken, make Instant Pot white rice or Instant Pot brown rice.
- Salad: This time I served chicken with southwest quinoa salad. Jennifer Aniston salad would be great too!
- Bread: We also like to buy a whole grain baguette for a side and serve with Ukrainian cucumber and tomato salad. Quick, healthy and easy!
How to Store
For meal prep, transform chicken into Instant Pot shredded chicken and use throughout the week. Make healthy chicken salad or chicken tostadas. Perfect for busy weeknights!
To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze in an airtight container or resealable freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
FAQs
No, but without a trivet skin on the chicken will be a bit soft. But you can cook frozen whole chicken in Instant Pot without a rack.
The most reliable way to check if your chicken is ready is to insert an instant read thermometer into its thickest part. If it registers 165 F, your chicken is ready. You can’t use the color of meat to reliably know the doneness of chicken. Sometimes chicken does look pink, especially chicken thighs, and even possibly with red blood vessels.
First of all, make sure you have 8 quart Instant Pot to fit it in. I would cook it for 12 minutes per pound of weight.
Sometimes it can happen, and there could be many reasons why including the altitude you live at, temperature of your freezer or your Instant Pot model. So many reasons as Instant Pot is just a computerized pot. In that case, close the lid and pressure cook chicken for another 10-15 minutes with Quick Release. It should take care of the issue.
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes to Try
- Instant Pot stir fry
- Instant Pot chicken and rice
- Instant Pot white chicken chili
- Instant Pot chicken stew
- Instant Pot chicken and potatoes
- Instant Pot butter chicken
Looking for more dinner ideas? Check out my most popular collection of 45 healthy Instant Pot recipes.
How to Cook Frozen Whole Chicken in Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 – 4.5 pounds whole frozen chicken
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons oregano dried
- Any mild oil
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Rinse frozen whole chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Drizzle with a bit of oil and using your hands rub it all over chicken. This step will ensure proper “sticking” of spices to frozen chicken.
- Place frozen chicken in Instant Pot breasts side down. Sprinkle half of each spice evenly on one side of chicken in the following order: salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano.
- Carefully flip the chicken (we don’t want to disturb the spices) and season the other half with remaining spices (might seem like a lot but trust me). Holding onto the sides transfer chicken onto a large plate.
- To the Instant Pot, add water and trivet (steam rack with handles is more convenient if you have one). Place whole chicken inside IP breasts side up, close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High Pressure or Manual (this IP cooks only on High):
For 6 quart Instant Pot:
- 3 lbs whole chicken – 50 minutes.
- 4 lbs whole chicken – 60 minutes.
- 5 lbs whole chicken – 70 minutes.
For 8 quart Instant Pot:
- 4 lbs whole chicken – 40 minutes.
- 5 lbs whole chicken – 50 minutes.
- 6 lbs whole chicken – 60 minutes.
- Display will say ON, Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure, you will see a bit of steam coming out from a valve, then float valve will rise and countdown will begin.
- After your chicken is ready, Instant Pot will beep, display will say OFF and now it needs to bring pressure down on its own before you can open it, which will be indicated by a dropped down float valve. It is called Natural Release. 8 quart will take about 40 minutes and 6 quart – 15-20 minutes. Do not do Quick Release (turning sealing valve to Venting position). Wait for a pin to drop down on its own.
- Open the lid and you will have the juiciest and most flavorful chicken ever. Serve however you like, shred for meal rep, freeze for later, save bones for bone broth. Oh, and that flavorful broth at the bottom makes amazing soup the next day (don’t throw away!). So many options, it’s crazy!
Video
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in a fridge or on a counter.
- If your chicken has giblets: If giblets are in paper bag you can with them inside and remove after cooking. Or remove giblets before freezing.
- 3 quart IP: Cook the whole bird for 17 minutes per pound with Natural Release.
- 10 quart IP: Reduce cook time by 10 minutes less for each size of chicken that is listed for 8 quart.
Hi! I have a 5 liter pressure cooker (max line at 3.5 L)… today I finally found a chicken small enough to fit inside, only to find that with the trivet it rises above the max line! Since the pot isn’t all the way full, can I still use the trivet, or am I better off just having soggy skin but staying below the max?
Hi Katie. Max line is mostly for liquids. Chicken will be fine on a trivet because there is a lot of room around it for pressure to build up unlike with liquids.
Thank you!! This is amazing! I love that I can take a frozen whole chicken and within 2hrs it is fully cooked – with broth!
I am cooking frozen chicken in instant pot. The giblets are in ziplock bag. Should I continue or thaw chicken first.
Not sure how giblets will hold up in ziploc (did you already remove them in put them in a ziploc?). This recipe is for a frozen chicken, so no need to thaw! If you have a fresh or thawed chicken use this recipe: https://ifoodreal.com/instant-pot-whole-chicken/
I have not cooked the chicken yet. Can you cook it in a while chicken with the skin removed? In your photo it looks like the skin has been removed.
Thanks!
Leave the skin on to hold in the juices, it may appear in some of the photos when it is plated that the skin is only partially on, but during cooking keep skin on. Check out https://ifoodreal.com/instant-pot-frozen-chicken-breast/ for no skin on chicken recipe.
Hi–I’m embarrassed to ask this–my chicken was frozen solid like a rock. It was trussed when I purchased it and I could not cut the twine because it was frozen. Do you leave the trussing twine on when you cook it?
That is fine, just remove after!
Came out perfect.
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Mine didn’t work 😞. 4.5 lb chicken. 6qt. I did 65 mins and natural release. There’s blood in middle. The outside looks great. I’m so sad. If you have a way I have photos to share. My brother suggested just starting it again for 30 mins and see if it’s done after that. I guess it won’t hurt cuz it’s already ruined/uncooked inside.
Different altitudes can affect cooking time in the Instant Pot.
Hi. I used 70 minutes for a five pound turkey breast frozen and it was chewy. I let the pressure release naturally. Should I reduce the time? I get these breasts often so I’d like to get it right. Thank you!
That’s too long for a breast only as it’s very lean meat, but good for whole chicken. See my Instant Pot turkey breast recipe.
Sounds Great, is it the same for frozen Split Chicken Breast?
What is split chicken breast? If it’s thinner then less time by a few mins.
Split Chicken Breast is a pack sold in the Supermarket which includes 6 breasts with bone and skin packed together.
So, regular size, same cook time as per recipe.
Thank you Olena, I will try that.
I was sceptical, but everything worked out great! I wanted a cooked chicken so I could make my quick chicken curry. This was perfect! This Instant Pot continues to amaze me! I don’t think I could do without it now!
Well done, Olena!
Hello Judith,
How do you make your curry chicken? I’m so addicted to curry. Love the taste it gives to meats and eggs.
One can of mushroom soup. One can of coconut milk.
Add chopped onion to pan with a bit of butter. Cook onion until soft. Add curry powder to taste. Stir. Add cooked chicken, soup and coconut milk. Stir, and simmer until sauce reduces a bit. Serve over any rice you like. My grandchildren love it!
Thank you Judith for sharing! Feel free to check out chicken curry for the Instant Pot as well!
I could not believe how tasty and juicy this was, from a completely, block-hard, whole frozen chicken! I have a 6 qt. instant pot, and for my 4.5 lb. chicken (no giblets), I set the cooking time for 65 min. I did not change any of the ingredients, and though I am not a fan of smoked foods generally, the smoky paprika was perfect. So easy, and cleanup was a breeze! I did not read the comments beforehand, but I will definitely broil afterwards next time to crisp up the skin (which I love). I’m also looking forward to using the broth to make chicken and dumplings. Do you know if I could add 2 c water instead of 1, to get more broth afterwards?
Lastly, thank you so much for your tutorial-style recipes and videos. I appreciate the science of cooking, and all your tips! Thank you!
Yes, you can! So happy to hear your feedback!:)