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.
I was looking for information on how or time-wise to use my new Instant Pot , for pre-cooked, (roasted), Frozen Chicken…..I ended up experimenting, and using some of your info and by guess and by golly, my chicken turned out absolutely, wonderful…Love your site….I am always on the lookout for recipes I can’t live without….I already have a major collection….lol…
Loretta! So happy that you found what you were looking for on iFoodReal! Enjoy cooking with your instant pot!
I’ve made this recipe so many times now, and it comes out perfect every time. Juicy, tender and delicious. Olena, I love your blog and recipes, thank you for your hard work, passion and good humour! ❤️from Cape Town, South Africa.
I’m so happy to read this! Thanks for your positive feedback, Sonia!
3.7 pound chicken wouldn’t fit in the pot. Don’t know how everyone else is doing it
What size is your pot? Must be 3 quart.
I did this the other night and am VERY pleased with the result. The chicken was wonderfully moist. And cooking from frozen saved so much time (and I think adds to the moisture). The key is, as you say, to set the right time depending in IP and chicken size, and to allow the natural release.
It really makes dinner so easy when the main course us just tending yo itself, in its own self-contained little pot—no splatter, no mess, no tending required. 15 minutes of prep and then get lost and let it do its thing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jeff! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Worked out perfectly
I’m so glad you enjoy this Instant Pot frozen chicken so much.
Great taste.
I cooked a 5.5# completely frozen bird.
Due to its size, and the fact that it was solid frozen, it did go over the 2/3 fill line of a 6qt pot.
I cooked it first for 60 w/natural release. Then I pulled it out (heck yeah for the silicone insert) and cut (and I say this loosely, it basically fell off when I touched the knife to it lol) a quarter off and it was done probably (approx) 3/4 way in but still pink in the middle.
Loaded it right back up and cooked another 10 w/natural release and it was perfect.
Glad you made it work. 5.5 lbs is a large bird. 2/3 measure matters only for liquids.
This was my first cook in the instant pot. The whole chicken inside frozen. Not sure what I did wrong. I followed each step and left it on warm for 30 minutes after the cook and the floating valve wAs down. Looked off from the picture. Went to look for the giblets and discovered the bird was not cooked. Only the surface.
Will try again another day when whole chicken is on sale.
Oh, no! Let’s troubleshoot. What model IP do you have?
IP Duo Nova 8 qt
OK, I cooked it in this model many times. Make sure your pressure is set to High because this model has Low as well. And press Pressure Cook for specified time and let it do its thing. Maybe add 5 mins to cook time just in case because of altitude. Wouldn’t hurt. Good luck!
This also happened to me tonight! First (IP) timer here! Frozen inside but outside looked cooked. I have same model and followed instructions exactly. My only thing was my chicken was just under 5.5 lbs so i did 53 min …maybe i should have followed time of 60 min for 6 lb instead of what i did….??
1 cup of water at bottom, should there have been more with bigger chicken?
Also my red pressure thing came up after about 13 min but i did let it sit until about 16 (on warm).
Just trying to think of reasons other than I’m the worse cook ever.
Hi Dianna. Just to clarify a few things here “Also my red pressure thing came up after about 13 min but i did let it sit until about 16 (on warm)”. After red pin pops up, it takes another 5 mins for starter to start. Did you see it start with 53 mins? Then after full 53 mins you should let red pin drop on its own which takes another 30 mins or so depending on size of IP. What is your size? And what did you do after 16 mins? Released pressure? We can figure it out.:)
This was truly a life saver on a random weeknight when I realized that I hadn’t thawed anything for dinner! Cooking an entire chicken from frozen is DEF the primary selling point for an Instant Pot, and this recipe is a Winner-Winner-Chicken-Dinner! If you’re currently on the fence about this appliance, please trust and believe that this recipe (and others like it for cooking from frozen) will make this appliance pay for itself in a short time! I wish that I had bought the IP a couple of years ago, and stumbled across your blog just as long ago. Thank you for all of your efforts with your recipes and videos, as they save so much of ours! Keep ’em coming!
Awe, you are so welcome! So happy to hear you are enjoying my recipes and thanks for your wonderful detailed review. I agree 100%. I can’t even count how many times I cooked frozen meat in IP!
So today for the 2020 super bowl I didn’t know what to make. I tried this recipe and first time using our instant pot we got 2 years ago for a present and I am pleased I tried it out. Thank you and yes I will be using your chicken noodle soup recipe with all the juice I got left over in our 6 quart pot.
Yay!!! I am so happy to hear you took your Instant Pot out of the box. 🙂
Desperate for a weekend meal with frozen everything, I came upon this recipe so I tried it believing I could at least use the cooked chicken for shredding and soups. I was surprised at the fact that my whole, frozen chicken cooked beautifully and was delicious and juicy. Bravo!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Jeanette!