Fall Apart Instant Pot Chicken – This is a delicious way to prepare a whole chicken. Made with easy ingredients that are also economical.
Let me preface this post to say that it is tough to photograph a whole chicken!
This guy didn’t really have an ‘angle’, particularly because he was falling apart. I did what I could though, so let’s segue into today’s recipe!
I’ve had my Instant Pot for around three years now, and I use it at least once a day, if not more! It is quite literally my most used kitchen appliance next to the stove.
My favorite things to make in it are Applesauce, Brown Rice, Quinoa, black beans, Pinto Beans, and Chicken.
These are all foods I keep on hand in our fridge that I can pull out whenever the craving strikes.
With six people in our family, food goes fast, so I find I need big batches now more than ever.
What does Instant Pot chicken taste like?
Instant Pot chicken is actually my favorite way to prepare the bird!
The meat becomes very juicy and falls apart in such a way that it reminds me of pulled chicken. If you have a good homemade barbecue sauce or chicken salad recipe, this texture is ideal for both.
I love to keep this on hand for salads throughout the week, and for adding to various dinner recipes, like stir-fries, at night.
Don’t waste the broth!
After cooking, the remaining juices in the Instant Pot make a tasty base for soups or just enjoying by itself. I like to pour it into a large mason jar and keep it in the fridge. It turns to ‘jello’ when cold, but becomes liquid again upon heating.
Recipes that may pair well with Instant Pot Chicken:
The Best 10-Minute Broccoli
Lemon Herb Quinoa
FAST Baked Sweet Potatoes
Fall Apart Instant Pot Chicken
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 3 - 3 1/4 pound whole chicken (organic tastes best!)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion roughly chopped
- 1 carrot roughly chopped
- 1 cup celery roughly chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 cups water
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Rinse chicken and trim excess skin, if necessary.
- Add oil to the Instant Pot and hit 'SAUTE' button.
- Place chicken breast side down into the Instant Pot.
- Let cook for five minutes. If it begins to sizzle too much, just hit 'OFF' and let it sit the remaining time that way.
- Add in vegetables and bay leaf along with some salt and pepper.
- Flip the chicken over.
- Pour in the water.
- Close the lid and let the chicken cook on high for 30 minutes.
- Once done, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Release remaining pressure manually and open the lid.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Notes:
This is the model Instant Pot I use.
I like to add in a sprig or two of fresh thyme, as it goes well with the chicken. I think any herbs you enjoy would be good in here!
To double check that the chicken is cooked through, use a food thermometer to check. It should be at least 165°F.
Recipe steps:
Add the chicken, breast side down, into a warm Instant Pot…
Add in the rest of the ingredients…
Flip!
Continue with the recipe…
June says
Looks so tender and delicious, Lauren!
Lauren says
Thanks, June! 🙂
Babs says
Perfect! and the same way I do it except I give it a really good browning. The flavor is so much richer! Once it’s done tho, slide that meat off the bone, and plop those bones back in the instant pot, cover with water (and black pepper, salt, garlic, celery, or carrots – all optional) and cook on meat/stew for 4 hours. Strain the delicious bone broth and use it so many ways. Those bones? Even tho they appear to be intact, they will mush completely between your thumb and finger. Which means they are perfect now for your dogs (and cats)! I add the bones to my dogs and cats supper along with some of the bone broth. Delicious, inexpensive, and oh so nutritious for both man and beast! (I add a bit of broth to some of the bones in the vitamix and blend for the cats…..so good for them. I don’t use the seasonings when making this for my pets…) I don’t waste a thing on that chicken…. Bones are excellent food supplements for your pets and we all know the dangers of cooked bones. These however, are mush. Perfectly safe!
Lauren says
Yes, I love the broth!