Instant Pot Beer Can Chicken

This one pot meal was a game changer! Even if you aren’t a beer lover, but love super tender chicken made in just 30 minutes, you have to to try this easy Instant Pot recipe for dinner tonight.

Ok so I grew up with this good ol’ fashioned beer can chicken recipe that was always cooked on the barbecue. It did always come out great but had a much longer cooking time. Then came the pressure cooker! I couldn’t stop using it so I thought what the heck, let’s give this a whirl too.

One of the biggest factors as to whether this will work in yours is it’s size. Both the bird and your pot have to fit right so the lid will close with a bit of space in between. This works best in the Crockpot Express because it is taller but for an 8 quart IP you can do it too.

How does beer can chicken work? The can acts as a trivet of sorts. You put the can of beer into the open cavity and cook! The liquid in the can gets hot in the cooking process and starts to evaporate inside the cavity cooking it from the inside out. This is how we initially made all of our Instant Pot chicken recipes before now!!

Ingredient Notes

You want to start with a whole chicken that is 4-4.5 pounds in size. I recommend organic and free range because they are a bit smaller but with the same amount of meat, just less fat. The texture is better too.

The type of can of beer you use is totally up to you. I light a light lager but it really doesn’t matter. The darker the stronger the flavor.

Is it safe to use beer in an Instant Pot?

Yes, I have done it with this recipe as well as making corned beef and cabbage in the Instant Pot. I will tell you at first I left it open overnight so it wasn’t bubbly. Then I did my research and everywhere said it was fine. From then on out, the past year, I just pour it in and it is just fine.

I like to coat the outside with olive oil to allow the seasonings to stick on there well. If I am going to crisp the skin when done I will use a spray of oil too. Lawry’s seasoned salt, minced garlic and garlic salt is typically what I will coat it with.

Can you make beer can chicken with a frozen chicken?

I figured out how to cook Instant Pot frozen whole chicken last month because I am forever forgetting to defrost meat for dinner. It wouldn’t work in this case because the hole would be hard and not pliable enough to slide it on top unfortunately. BUT you could follow the above link and use beer as the steaming liquid to give it a similar flavor!

How Long to Cook Beer Can Chicken in Instant Pot

You are going to need 25 minutes with a natural release at the end which will continue to cook it slowly for about another 15-20 minutes thereafter. With the time it takes to reach pressure you need to account for about an hour to get this done.

How do you get crispy chicken skin after pressure cooking a chicken?

Put it into a 9″ square oven safe dish. For browning once it is cooked (if you want crispy skin) throw it under your broiler in your oven for 3-4 minutes. OR use your air fryer at 400 for a few too. If you are using a large Foodi you can close the lid that is attached and hit air crisp on the front. At 400F for about 3-4 minutes you’ll get the top golden brown with a spray of olive oil.

Ninja Foodi (Option)

If you have the 8 qt. and yours will close with the bird facing up then go for it like this. If not throw it into your Ninja Foodi or other brand to make air fryer whole chicken. You can crisp the skin when done by setting down the lid that is attached at 400F for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

Tips to Remember

You NEED an 8 qt. pressure cooker – This will NOT work in a 6 qt. size (it will be too tall and not close). We used our 8 qt. Crock Pot Express. You will want to season this to add flavor or it will be rather bland since it is essentially steamed. Best choices are at least some minced garlic and seasoned whether it is baked or cooking beer can chicken in oven.

Remember that natural release means you don’t touch the pressure valve once time is up. Wait until timer on front says 10, then release the pressure by flipping the valve quickly. Be careful, it’s hot.

You make this the same way, in an 8 qt. It doesn’t matter what brand you have it will work just as great. Here are Ninja Foodi chicken recipes. This one didn’t work in my model 6 qt. because their pot wasn’t tall enough, maybe the 8 would be. 🙁 Instructions work for all types of electric pressure cooker models.

Other one pot meals you’ll love

Other easy chicken recipes and side items that pair well with this are Instant Pot chicken thighs bone in. But if you like heat I would make our Spicy honey Instant Pot chicken instead. Try our smoked beer can chicken too if you like! As a side item this is the best beer bread recipe, our chile rice is great, and potato rolls are yummy. Pair them up and have a great simple meal this week!