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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This air fryer whole chicken is a delicious, crispy, and fast way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort!
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Making this air fryer whole chicken is a fun and delicious way to make a meal. It’s fast, easy, and yields crispy, juicy results since air frying allows you to get the perfect crunch without deep frying – while still giving you that tasty fried chicken feel.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken Ingredients
An air fryer whole chicken has a delicious and crispy texture rivaling a traditional deep-fried version.
The chicken comes out juicy and flavorful, with the perfect crunch from the air frying process. You’ll love the taste of this meal!
You’ll need:
- 4-pound whole chicken
- 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil
PRO TIP:
Choose a smaller chicken to ensure it fits in your air fryer. My chicken was 5 pounds (on the larger size), and it fits nicely in my air fryer. If the chicken is too large or the legs get stuck when opening the air fryer, you can press down on the breastbone of the chicken to help flatten it.
Substitutions And Additions
SEASONING: This delicious chicken recipe is fully customizable regarding your seasonings.
You could try everything from lemon pepper to Italian seasoning to a flavorful spice blend.
How to Make This Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe
Skip the rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, as this recipe will come together in a flash right in your own kitchen.
All you need to do is prep the chicken as usual and pop it into the air fryer.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Make sure to check your air fryer manual for cook time guidelines for your specific model, as times and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.
STEP ONE: Remove the chicken from the packaging. Remove the neck and/or giblets from the cavity of the chicken. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
STEP TWO: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and smoked paprika.
STEP THREE: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it into the skin.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle a third of the seasoning on one side of the chicken and a third of the seasoning on the other side.
Rub the seasoning all over the exterior of the chicken and inside the cavity. Reserve the remaining seasoning.
STEP FIVE: Place the chicken in the air fryer, breast side down. Fold the wings behind the chicken.
Close the air fryer drawer/door and cook at 350°F for 30 minutes.
PRO TIP:
Tucking the wings behind the chicken and tying the legs together help prevent these parts of the chicken from drying out.
STEP SIX: Turn the chicken breast side up. Tie the legs with kitchen twine, if desired, and sprinkle the reserved seasoning over the breast and legs.
STEP SEVEN: Cook for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165°F on a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast.
STEP EIGHT: Leave the chicken to rest for five to ten minutes before carving.
How To Serve
The sides you can serve with a whole roast chicken are too many to count, but we have a few options to get you started.
Roasted vegetables such as broccoli or stovetop glazed carrots are a great option.
Other popular side dishes include roasted potatoes (cut into wedges) or creamy mashed potatoes paired deliciously with the juicy meat.
And don’t forget the dinner rolls!
Two more air fryer recipes that we know you will love are our air fryer chicken wings and air fryer baked potato recipe.
MORE CHICKEN RECIPES
Storage
If you have any leftovers, here are the guidelines for storing the chicken.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re looking to plan ahead and save some time on a busy weeknight, you can make this whole chicken ahead of time.
Once the chicken has cooled down after cooking, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to three to four days.
It’s a fantastic way to have a head start on meal prep, and the flavors tend to meld even more, making it taste even better when you reheat it.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover roasted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze leftover chicken tightly wrapped in a freezer bag for up to one month.
REHEATING: There are a few ways to reheat your air fryer whole chicken. To keep that crispy skin intact, use the oven.
Preheat it to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken on a baking sheet, and reheat for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s warmed through.
If you’re in a hurry, the microwave is your friend.
Put a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent drying, and microwave in 1-minute increments until it’s hot all the way through.
Why We Love This Recipe
CRISPY PERFECTION: This recipe delivers a whole chicken with irresistibly crispy skin that’s reminiscent of deep-frying but with a fraction of the oil. The air fryer works its magic, giving you that crunch without the excess grease.
EFFORTLESS COOKING: With minimal preparation and hands-on time, it’s a convenient way to enjoy a homemade roast chicken without the lengthy oven-roasting process.
FLAVORFUL AND JUICY: The air fryer not only crisps up the skin but also locks in the chicken’s natural juices. You’re left with a flavorful and tender bird that’s seasoned to perfection.
With delicious crispy, flavorful skin, juicy meat, fast cooking time, and effortless preparation, this air fryer whole chicken is definitely an easy way to get dinner on the table! Much faster than in a conventional oven, you will wonder why you didn’t try this recipe sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chicken should I use for this air fryer rotisserie chicken?
The best type of chicken for this rotisserie style chicken is a whole, fresh chicken. You can also use a frozen whole chicken, but make sure to thaw it fully first.
What should I do before cooking the chicken in an air fryer?
Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, you’ll want to rub it with oil and seasonings and let it sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature. This will help ensure a more even cooking and more flavorful result.
Can I use different seasonings than listed for this air fryer roast chicken recipe?
If you have a preferred spice rub, you are more than welcome to use that on your roast chicken.
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This air fryer whole chicken is a delicious, crispy, and fast way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 4 pounds whole chicken
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Remove the chicken from the packaging. Remove the neck and/or giblets from the cavity of the chicken. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and smoked paprika.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it into the skin.
- Sprinkle ⅓ of the seasoning on one side of the chicken and ⅓ of the seasoning on the other side, rubbing the seasoning all over the exterior of the chicken and inside the cavity. (Reserve the remaining seasoning.)
- Place the chicken in the air fryer, breast side down. Fold the wings behind the chicken. Close the air fryer drawer/door and cook at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Turn the chicken breast side up. Tie the legs with kitchen twine, if desired, and sprinkle the reserved seasoning over the breast and legs.
- Cook for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165°F.
- Leave the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Choose a smaller chicken to ensure it fits in your air fryer. My chicken was 5 pounds (on the larger size), and it fits nicely in my air fryer. If the chicken is too large or the legs get stuck when opening the air fryer, you can press down on the breastbone of the chicken to help flatten it.
- Make sure to check your air fryer manual for cook time guidelines for your specific model, as times and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.
- Tucking the wings behind the chicken and tying the legs together help prevent these parts of the chicken from drying out.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 877mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Diane Anthony says
I made this in my new 8 quart air fryer. Turned out great! Nice and crispy on outside and juicy on the inside. House smelled amazing 😋