How To Cook A Whole Frozen Chicken In Your Instant Pot Food

INSTANT POT WHOLE FROZEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• 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):

INSTANT POT WHOLE CHICKEN (FROM FROZEN)

Steps:

• My rule of thumb with frozen whole chicken in the instant pot is 10 minutes per pound, so I'd cook a 3-pound chicken for 30 minutes, a 4-pounder for 40 minutes, and so on. (For a fresh chicken, I'd do 6-7 minutes per pound.)
• Place frozen whole chicken in the instant pot on the trivet. (You don't need to bother cooking the meat in the liquid, as I typically do in the oven, because the Instant Pot makes perfectly moist chicken every time.)
• Add salt and pepper, seasonings of choice.
• Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup water (depending on the size of your chicken. Minimum half a cup is important in order for the instant pot to function correctly.).
• Set timer to appropriate time on manual mode (see first instruction above). Allow pressure to NPR (natural pressure release), and serve.
• Use the remaining liquid for gravy.

HOW TO COOK A WHOLE FROZEN CHICKEN IN YOUR INSTANT POT

Steps:

• Remove packaging from frozen chicken. Run a little hot water over the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. (During this whole process I like to wear disposable gloves.)
• Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot and put the bay leaf in there too. Place the trivet in the bottom.
• In a little bowl combine the butter, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Use your fingers to run this mixture all over the chicken. Place the chicken, breast side up, on the trivet.
• Cover the Instant Pot and set the timer on manual for 60 minutes. Make sure valve is set to "sealing." When the timer beeps let some of the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes and then switch the valve to "venting" and release the rest of the pressure.
• Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the meatiest portion of the chicken. It should read 165° F. If it's not up to temperature then you'll want to cover the pot and cook on manual setting for 5 more minutes.
• Optional: Place the chicken on a cookie sheet and put under the broiler for 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
• Slice chicken and serve. Season to taste. We like to save the leftovers to use in other recipes or make sandwiches and wraps with it.

INSTANT POT LEMON FROZEN CHICKEN WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute and add the butter (see Cook's Note). Once it has melted, add the mushrooms and cook until golden and the water has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Stir in the shallots and thyme and continue to cook until the shallots have softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest and juice. Put the chicken breasts on top of the orzo and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
• After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release. After 10 minutes, being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board with tongs and slice crosswise. Stir the spinach, cream and Parmesan into the orzo. Season with salt and pepper and serve alongside the chicken.