How can you cook a whole chicken in a pressure cooker?

To cook a whole chicken in a pressure cooker, defrost it, place it in the cooker, and cook it for 12 to 25 minutes at high pressure. If cooking a 2- to 3-pound chicken, cook it for 12 to 18 minutes. If heavier, cook it for 18 to 25 minutes.

Pressure cookers typically fit chickens that weigh up to 4 pounds. Do not attempt to cook larger chickens without checking the pressure cooker instruction manual to verify that it can safely accommodate the chicken.

Pressure cooking is a convenient way to cook a whole chicken, but other types of chicken also respond well to this technique. For example, it takes just 10 minutes at high pressure to cook up to 3 pounds of bone-in chicken breasts. The same amount of drumsticks cooks in five to seven minutes, and boneless chicken strips cook in five to six minutes.

It is unsafe to pressure cook a whole frozen chicken. However, it is safe to cook frozen boneless breasts and thighs. A 3-pound batch of frozen boneless breasts and thighs cooks in seven to 10 minutes at high pressure.

In addition to chicken, a pressure cooker is a good option for preparing beef, duck and pork. Oatmeal, barley, quinoa, rice and vegetables are also ideal for pressure cooking.