Instant Pot Roasted Whole Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper all over the chicken, including inside the cavity.
- Stuff the chicken:
- Stuff the cavity with the lemon quarters and garlic cloves.
- Sauté in the Instant Pot:
- Turn the Instant Pot on the Sauté setting and add a bit of olive oil.
- Place the chicken, breast side down, and cook for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken over and sauté the other side for another 5-6 minutes.
- Add the broth:
- Add the chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook:
- Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Manual) on High for 24 minutes (6 minutes per pound of chicken). Ensure the valve is set to Sealing.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for about 10 minutes. Then, release any remaining pressure manually by turning the valve to Venting.
- Crisp the skin (optional):
- If you prefer extra crispy skin, preheat your oven’s broiler and place the chicken on a baking sheet.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Rest and serve:
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Weight Watchers Points:
- A 3-4 lb roasted chicken yields about 6 servings. Depending on the part of the chicken you eat (dark vs. white meat), the points may vary.
- Skinless chicken breast: 0 points (if following the WW Blue or Purple plan)
- Dark meat with skin: Approximately 4-5 points per serving
Tips:
- Crispier skin: For super crispy skin, always pat the chicken dry before searing.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme give the chicken a delicious flavor, but dried herbs work just as well.
- Stuffing: The lemon and garlic inside the cavity infuse the chicken with added flavor.
- Leftovers: Use the leftovers for sandwiches, salads, or wraps!
Nutritional Benefits:
- Protein: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, particularly the white meat (chicken breast).
- Healthy fats: Olive oil adds a bit of healthy fat, and you can control the amount of oil used to keep it light.
- Herbs and spices: Low in calories, herbs like rosemary and thyme add flavor without adding extra points.
Conclusion:
This Instant Pot Roasted Whole Chicken is a quick, flavorful, and Weight Watchers-friendly meal. It’s perfect for meal prep or family dinners, and it’s easy to make juicy chicken in less than an hour!