Well… the experiment worked and the results are out of this world! I am SO excited to share my delicious “roasted” chicken marinated in a tasty tandoori spice blend. To top it off you can also make flavorful gravy at the same time. You might be asking yourself right now why would I make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Minstry of Curry
Why I love to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot
Video
Here is a quick video showing how to make Instant Pot Whole Tandoori Chicken:
Modern Technique
So you may ask, Is this really a tandoori chicken if I am not using the tandoor or the clay oven? You can argue that Tandoori chicken must be dry-roasted in a clay oven. I do not have access to a tandoor clay oven and making a whole chicken in the oven is a long process. I always need to use a thermometer to make sure that the chicken is fully cooked and the times for different parts of the chicken sometimes may vary. At times I have overcooked the chicken making it dry. So for me using the Instant Pot is a matter of convenience and saving time! This also frees up your oven for more bread and pies when hosting. I have made Tandoori chicken drumsticks and Tandoori wings in the Instant Pot and was amazed to see how delicious the chicken comes out. Since most of the marinade stays on the chicken, it is much more flavorful. And although my tandoori chicken recipe has an optional broil step, I have rarely broiled the chicken and enjoyed it straight from the Instant Pot.
Whole Chicken Cook Time
Instant Pot size and cook times to make whole tandoori chicken:
If making whole tandoori chicken in a 6-quart Instant Pot make sure your chicken is no more than 4 pounds as it may not fit the pot I have tested this recipe with 5 to 6 pounds of chicken in my 8-QT Instant Pot Cook time for 1 pound of bone-in chicken is 6 minutes. So for a 5-pound chicken, the pressure cook time is 30 minutes, and for a 4-pound chicken it will be 24 minutes A 10-minute natural pressure release is recommended
Kashmiri red chili powder - A mild chili powder that adds a brilliant hue to the chicken without adding too much heat Ground cumin - Adds nutty warm flavors Ground coriander - Paired with cumin adds an earthy flavor Ground turmeric - The bright, healing spice that adds a peppery-woody taste and a deep golden color to the marinade Garam masala - “warm spice mix” adds warmth and depth, added with other spices makes for a perfect homemade tandoori masala Fresh Ginger & Garlic Paste - Must must-have in Indian cuisine, fresh ginger and garlic add authentic taste, flavor, and nutrition Lemon juice - helps tenderize the meat and the acidity balances the spices
Step 5: Close the lid and pressure cook for 30 minutes. Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release and then open the Instant Pot. Carefully take the chicken out and blend the gravy using an immersion blender. Add all-purpose flour mixed with water to thicken the gravy and bring it to a gentle boil (photos 15 - 16). Serve the Chicken with the hot gravy
Pat dry the chicken completely inside and out. Make sure the chicken is fully thawed as much whole chicken is previously frozen and if it is not fully thawed it may not cook evenly. Trim any excess skin and fat. I like using kitchen sheers for this and I do it directly in the pan that I use for marinating. Traditionally yogurt is also added to tandoori marinate. I have tried this recipe with and without the yogurt and there was not much difference in taste. Use the mild Kashmiri red chili powder that adds a brilliant red hue to the final dish. Homemade garam masala adds a more authentic flavor and aroma to the chicken. Try to spread the marinade under the skin with the breast side up. Make sure to marinate the chicken overnight or at least 8 to 10 hours. Lightly spray the chicken with oil before broiling for smokey flavors. Do not broil the chicken for too long as that may overcook and make the chicken dry.
Variations
If you do not want to make the gravy, simply add 1 cup of water to the inner pot and place the trivet with chicken inside the pot Sprinkle the inside of the chicken with ½ teaspoon salt This is also a great way to make rotisserie chicken for meal-prepping
Recipe
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Mulled Apple Cider Pomegranate Juice Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Kale Salad with Parmesan and Almonds Mango Salad Arugula Salad with pear and lemon balsamic dressing Mushroom Tartlets Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Smitten Kitchen Apple cake Instant Pot Cornbread with boxed mix Indian Sweet Potato Halwa
