Name: Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium whole chicken (3 pounds); 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 lemon; 3-4 sprigs of thyme or rosemary; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 92 reviews

If you’re looking for a meal that’s cozy, impressive, and based on one pot (yes, just one!), this Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe is an absolute keeper. I mean, who doesn’t love juicy, tender chicken cooked perfectly every time, topped with rich homemade gravy? Plus, it’s so straightforward that once you try it, you’ll want to make this your go-to dinner for weeknights or casual Sunday suppers. Stick with me here—I’ll share all the tips I’ve learned along the way to make your cooking foolproof and enjoyable.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off Cooking: Once you set the Instant Pot, you can relax knowing your chicken is cooking evenly and perfectly.
Juicy, Tender Meat: The pressure cooking locks in moisture for incredibly flavorful chicken every time.
Delicious Homemade Gravy: You won’t find a better gravy shortcut that uses the chicken drippings to tie it all together.
Minimal Cleanup: One pot plus a quick broil means less mess and more time enjoying your meal.

A whole roasted chicken with golden brown, slightly crispy skin speckled with small dark spices lies centered on a white plate. The chicken's legs and wings are tucked close to its body, showing a textured, seasoned surface. In front of the chicken is a bright yellow lemon wedge and several fresh, green herb sprigs that add a pop of color. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, and the background is soft and out of focus, making the chicken the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy, easy Instant Pot chicken recipe, juicy pressure cooker chicken, one-pot chicken dinner, homemade gravy recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

I like to keep this recipe simple with ingredients you either have on hand or are easy to find at the store. The blend of herbs and spices brings out a fragrant, comforting flavor that tastes like you spent hours on it, but you didn’t.

Flat lay of a medium whole raw chicken with dry skin, a small white ceramic bowl of vegetable oil, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of ground black pepper, a small white bowl of paprika powder, a small white bowl of mixed Italian seasoning herbs, a small white bowl of garlic powder, half a fresh lemon cut crosswise with visible seeds and juicy pulp, three fresh sprigs of green thyme, a small white bowl filled with clear chicken broth, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a few pats of creamy yellow butter, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy, easy Instant Pot chicken recipe, juicy pressure cooker chicken, one-pot chicken dinner, homemade gravy recipe

Whole chicken: I usually go for a medium size around 3 pounds for the best fit in my Instant Pot and ideal cook time.
Vegetable oil: This helps the seasoning stick and promotes a better finish on the skin.
Salt: Never skip this—it’s key for seasoning throughout the chicken.
Ground black pepper: Adds just the right amount of warmth without overpowering.
Paprika: For a hint of smoky sweetness and color.
Italian seasoning: A convenient mix that brings herbs like oregano and basil straight to your dish.
Garlic powder: Gives you that comforting garlic kick without fresh garlic’s intense bite.
Lemon: Adds brightness and freshness when stuffed inside the chicken cavity.
Fresh thyme or rosemary: I love thyme for its earthy, aromatic qualities—fresh beats dried here for sure.
Chicken broth: This is your flavor base in the pot and the secret to your silky gravy.
All-purpose flour: For thickening the gravy to the perfect luscious consistency.
Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to your gravy.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This recipe really invites you to make it your own. I often tweak it depending on what herbs I have or how bold I’m feeling. Feel free to get creative—you can’t go wrong with these basic steps.

Herb swaps: I once replaced thyme with sage and it gave the chicken a wonderful earthy note perfect for fall dinners.
Spice it up: For a little heat, try adding some red pepper flakes or cayenne to your seasoning mix—my family loves the kick!
Citrus variety: Experiment with oranges or limes instead of lemon for a different zing.
Make it dairy-free: Skip the butter in the gravy and use a splash of olive oil or a non-dairy margarine alternative.

How to Make Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Season and Marinate Your Chicken

Start by patting your chicken bone-dry, which is key to getting good skin texture. Then rub it all over with vegetable oil and your seasoning mix—salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. I like to let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb those flavors, but if you have time, refrigerate it overnight. Just remember to bring the chicken back to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.

Step 2: Stuff and Truss the Chicken

Stuff half a lemon and fresh thyme (or rosemary) into the chicken cavity—this infuses lovely aromatics from inside out. Then tie the legs and wings snugly against the body with cooking twine to help the chicken cook evenly without flapping—trust me, this trick makes a difference. If you don’t have twine, just tuck the wings under the chicken.

Step 3: Prepare Your Instant Pot

Pop in a metal rack and pour in the chicken broth. This liquid creates steam, prevents drippings from burning, and is the foundation for your delicious gravy later. Place the chicken breast side up on the rack, seal the lid, and set the valve to ‘sealing’ to get ready for pressure cooking.

Step 4: Pressure Cook the Chicken

Cook it on high pressure for 25 minutes. If your chicken is larger, add about 6 minutes per extra pound. When it’s done, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes to lock in the juices and tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast—the ideal temp is 165°F for safe, juicy chicken.

Step 5: Broil for Crispy Skin

This is the trick that turned me from just a pressure cooker fan to a full-time champion of this dish. The skin won’t get crispy in the Instant Pot, so transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and broil on high for 5-7 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning! This step gives you that beautiful, golden crust that makes the whole chicken so irresistible. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.

Step 6: Prepare the Gravy

Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and whisk in the flour, chicken broth, and butter into the juices left at the bottom. Stir constantly until the gravy thickens—usually about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This gravy is so comforting and perfectly ties together every bite of chicken.

Step 7: Carve and Serve

Slice your beautifully cooked chicken and serve immediately with a generous ladle of gravy over the top. You’ll find that even picky family members will be asking for seconds!

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Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe

Dry the Chicken Well: Patting the chicken dry is the best way to avoid soggy skin and get a good finish after broiling.
Room Temperature Chicken: Bringing the chicken out of the fridge before cooking really helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
Watch Broiling Carefully: Broilers work fast and can burn the skin if you’re distracted—stay close for that perfect golden crisp.
Natural Pressure Release is Key: Don’t rush letting the pressure out; it’s what keeps the chicken tender and juicy.

How to Serve Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe

A whole roasted chicken with crispy, golden brown skin speckled with black pepper sits at the center of a white plate. The chicken is placed on a bed of fresh green herbs, with three thin lemon slices arranged around the edges of the plate. The white plate rests on a white marbled surface, accompanied by a light gray textured cloth in the background. The setting is simple, clean, and inviting, showing off the juicy, cooked poultry as the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy, easy Instant Pot chicken recipe, juicy pressure cooker chicken, one-pot chicken dinner, homemade gravy recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme leaves right over the chicken and gravy for a fresh pop of color and flavor. It brightens up the plate and adds a lovely herbal note that complements the rich gravy perfectly.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes are my classic pairing—it’s a natural combo with the gravy. Roasted veggies, like carrots or Brussels sprouts, add a great contrast, and a simple green salad helps balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or dinner parties, I’ve laid the carved chicken on a large platter surrounded by roasted root vegetables and herb sprigs—it’s not only gorgeous but makes for easy family-style serving. Adding lemon wedges around the edge gives guests an extra zing if they want it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover chicken and gravy separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping the gravy separate helps the chicken not get soggy and keeps flavors fresh.

Freezing

Instant Pot whole chicken freezes surprisingly well! Just carve the meat and freeze in portions with some gravy on the side. I wrap everything tightly and freeze for up to 3 months, so I always have a ready-made dinner in a pinch.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the gravy gently on the stove while heating the chicken covered in the microwave or oven to prevent drying out. If you have time, a low-temp oven reheating helps keep the meat tender and moist.

FAQs

Can I cook a larger chicken in the Instant Pot?

Absolutely! For every additional pound above 3 pounds, add about 6 extra minutes to the pressure cook time. Just make sure your chicken fits comfortably inside your Instant Pot without touching the lid, to ensure even cooking.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F at the thickest part of the breast. This guarantees the chicken is safe to eat and still juicy.
Can I skip the broiler step?

You can, but the skin won’t get crispy and brown. If you’re okay without the crispiness, serving it straight from the Instant Pot is fine and still tastes delicious.
Is it necessary to truss the chicken?

Trussing keeps the chicken compact so it cooks evenly and looks nicer when served. If you don’t have twine, tucking the wings under the chicken is an easy alternative.
What can I use if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs work in a pinch—use about a third of the amount compared to fresh. The flavor will be a bit different but still tasty!

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Gravy Recipe turns out every time. It’s straightforward enough for weeknights but elegant enough for guests, with juicy meat, vibrant flavors, and gravy that feels like a warm hug. The first time I tried this, I was amazed at how quick and fuss-free it was, and now it’s a family favorite that everyone asks for regularly. I really recommend you give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it, and I’m confident it’ll become a comforting staple in your kitchen as well.