How Long to Cook Chicken Quarters in Instant Pot
Cooking chicken quarters in the Instant Pot can seem a bit intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy! With the right knowledge, you can go from raw chicken to delicious, juicy, cooked to perfection chicken quarters every time.
Prepping the Chicken Quarters
Before you begin cooking, it’s important to properly prepare the chicken. First, rinse and pat dry the chicken and season it with your favorite spice rub or salt and pepper. Once it’s seasoned, place the chicken quarters in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
Setting the Time and Pressure
Once the chicken has been prepped and placed in the pot, it’s time to set the time and pressure. The general rule for chicken quarters is 7 minutes of high pressure for every one pound.
So for example, if you are cooking 3 lbs of chicken, you will set the Instant Pot for 21 minutes.
Releasing Pressure
Once the timer has gone off, allow the Instant Pot to go through the natural pressure release cycle. Depending on the size of your chicken, this process can take anywhere from 10-15 minutes.
Serving
After the natural release cycle is done, open the lid of the Instant Pot and carefully check the temperature of the chicken with an instant read thermometer. Your chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. If it isn’t fully cooked, you can put it back in and set the timer for 2-3 minutes more.
Once it’s cooked, serve the chicken quarters with your favorite sides such as salad, potatoes, or rice.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few helpful pointers to keep in mind when cooking chicken quarters in the Instant Pot:
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces: So all the pieces are cooked evenly, try to cut the chicken into uniform pieces before adding them to the Instant Pot.
- Add a bit of liquid: For the best results, add a bit of liquid to the pot before cooking. You can use chicken broth, white wine, or even lemon juice to add some flavor.
- Create different flavors: Experiment and create different flavor combinations by using various seasonings and sauces.