Published: · Modified: by Jennifer Banz· 637 Comments
Servings: 6
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Cals: 200
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Fat: 14
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Carbs:
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Fiber:
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Protein: 17
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Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
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The best use of your air fryer is making this air fryer whole chicken. The meat is juicy and the skin is extra crispy and flavorful like a rotisserie style chicken...you are going to love how easy this whole chicken in the air fryer is!
Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
I have made several things in my air fryer that I love, but I think this Air Fryer whole chicken is my new favorite. The chicken is perfectly tender and juicy (even the white meat!) and has extra crispy skin. My family gives it rave reviews! I bet you didn't think you could air fry a whole chicken, but you can! It just depends on how big your air fryer is and how big of a chicken you have.
I love this technique so much more than making a roast chicken in the oven. This air fried whole chicken is more like a rotisserie chicken because of the amazing flavor from the seasonings! A lot of people serve this air fried roast chicken with roasted potatoes for a classic complete meal. I like to pull the meat from the bone and have it on salads for a low carb and keto friendly meal.
Air fryer whole chicken recipe ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this air fryer whole chicken recipe so you can make it perfectly the first time, and every single time. For a printable recipe, see therecipe card below.
5 - 6 pound (2.3 - 2.7 kg) chicken, giblets removed - My chicken was right at 5.5 pounds and fit with extra room in my 8 quart air fryer. I have also used a 6 quart air fryer and the 5 pound chicken fit perfectly.
If your air fryer is smaller, you still have options. If your air fryer has a removable grate, you would possibly be able to fit a larger chicken. Also, organic chickens tend to be smaller...around 4 pounds.
Seasoning blend:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
How to make a roast chicken in the air fryer
This section explains how to make this whole chicken in the air fryer recipe, step by step. For a full printable recipe, see therecipe card below.
This recipe has easy steps but I have a few tricks that will ensure that your chicken does not dry out before it is cooked all of the way through. The most important thing when making an air fryer rotisserie chicken is that you have juicy meat! I would say that is even more important than having super crispy skin.
- Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels and tuck the wings under.
- Combine all of the seasoning blend spices and oil in a small bowl to make a paste. Use a basting brush to coat the breast side of the whole chicken with half of the seasoning rub.
- Lift the chicken with the legs and place it in the air fryer basket breast side down. Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the rub.
Tip💡: Notice I removed the grate from the bottom of my air fryer. This is something I would recommend if your air fryer allows. While the chicken is cooking, it will release a lot of juices and the breast meat will essentially be marinating in these juices as it cooks, so the meat will be extremely juicy.
- I cooked the chicken at 360F (182C) for 50 minutes breast side down, then I flipped it and did 10 more minutes. It is important to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F (74C) using an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast.You may need to add extra time to the air fryer until the temperature is reached in the breast.
You now need to remove the chicken from the air fryer onto a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
I am telling you now, you will not believe how delicious and juicy chicken in the air fryer is. It really is the easiest way to make the perfect roast chicken!
Is an air fryer big enough for a whole chicken?
It really depends on the size of your air fryer and the size chicken you bought. Most chickens you buy in the store are around 5 to 6 pounds (organic could result in a 4-pound chicken). If you have an air fryer that is smaller than 5 quarts, you may need to find a smaller chicken.
Some newer conventional ovens now have air fry as a setting (essentially a convection oven) so you would be able to air fry any size whole chicken in it!
What to do with leftover roast chicken?
- Pull the chicken from the bone and make sandwiches, chicken salad, or enchiladas (save the carcass in a freezer bag to make chicken bone broth later) for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
- My favorite way is to use in Chicken Noodle soup or any soup that contains shredded chicken.
- Here is a good use for leftover shredded chicken (30+ Shredded Chicken Recipes)
More easy air fryer recipes: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Bacon, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer chicken tenders. This air fryer whole chicken is one of my most popular, though. Along with my air fryer chicken thighs and air fryer chicken breasts!
Juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken with Crispy Skin
The best use of your air fryer is making this air fryer whole chicken. The meat is juicy and the skin is extra crispy, just like a rotisserie chicken...you are going to love how easy this whole chicken in the air fryer is!
4.98 from 329 votes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 200
Author: Jennifer Banz
This post may contain affiliate links
Ingredients
- 5-6 lb Whole chicken, giblets removed
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (I prefer smoked paprika)
- ½ teaspoon Dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
Equipment
Instructions
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings with the oil to make a paste. Use a basting brush to spread half of the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken. Pick the chicken up with the legs, and place it breast side down in the air fryer basket. (note: I removed my grate from my air fryer for this recipe. If yours allows, I would do the same. It will allow for a bigger chicken, and the breast meat will marinate in the released juices as it cooks.). Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the rub.
Air fry at 360 degrees F (182C) for 50 minutes. Flip the chicken to breast side up and cook for an additional 10 minutes. (Cook time will vary depending on your air fryer wattage, size, and the size of your chicken)
Check to make sure the internal temperature of your chicken breast meat has a temperature of 165F (74C) using an instant read thermometer. Continue to cook until the temperature is reached. Remove from the air fryer basket to a cutting board and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The nutrition information is for 4 ounces of air fried whole rotisserie chicken
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you have chicken thighs or chicken legs you would like to cook in your air fryer:
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Servings: 6
Nutrition per serving
Calories: 200 | Protein: 17g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Keyword :air fry whole chicken, air fryer rotisserie chicken, whole chicken in the air fryer, whole roast chicken
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Lisa Lamirand says
I use this recipe every single time I want to air fry my chicken! It’s delicious, easy, and have only had raves. The best thing is it can be used as a base recipe, and you add on what you fancy! Thank you for a great recipe!Reply
Bill Bresett says
Looks great I am going to try that
Reply
Leslie Wells says
Came out juicy and crispy just as the recipe says! The only problem I had was Inhad to keep putting it back in because it wouldn’t get done! Ended up cutting it into pieces to finally get done! Otherwise this was great!Reply
David says
This was a fantastic way to cook the chicken. Moist, tasty, and amazing skin
Reply
MattScott says
I’m absolutely giving this recipe a 5stars rating. I just bought an air fryer and was curious if I ll be able to do a whole chicken in it. Found this recipe and nailed it! Just one little upgrade my friends- every time I bought a whole chicken in Italy there was a lemon inside and a sprig of rosemary.Reply
Barbara says
I wish that I had seen you review before I started cooking the chicken but i will definitely put a lemon and a swig in it next time.
Reply
Caron says
So so so delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe and cooking technique 😋Reply
Stephanie O’Neill-Miller says
I used onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, cumin, and paprika. So good with a salad and it’s a great meal! My hubby loves it!!
Reply
Lynn says
Just got my air fryer and this recipe for a whole chicken in the air fryer was fabulous. Moist inside with great crispy skin. Thank you!Reply
Sue Kehoe says
I absolutely love this recipe! I've passed it on to friends and family. One question though. If I were to make it with bone-in cut up chicken, how should I adjust the cooking time?Reply
Dana Stevens says
Such useful tips and recipes. New to Air fryer, enjoying the ease of cooking.
DanaReply
Rebecca Aguilar says
Not dry it was deliciousReply
Joanne says
So simple and so delicious. Kids loved it too, there is nothing left, the bird was picked clean 🙂Reply
Bob says
Wonderful. I roasted a 4 1/4 pound bird in my 4 quart fryer and it came out perfectly. Save the juice at the bottom of your air fryer pan for the chicken and whatever else you're eating with it.Reply
Scott says
Wow! I have tried seemingly every whole roasted chicken recipe in the world…well, obviously an exaggeration, but…THIS is IT!!! For Christmas this year, my wife bought me an air fryer (I know, I can’t believe I lived without one for so long!) and a MEATER Bluetooth thermometer. Followed the recipe exactly except added the MEATER. Turned my 5 lb. bird over at about 55 minutes, and finished breast-up for the last 10-15 minutes. Saved the spiced juices to drizzle over once I deboned the bird. Served with creamy polenta and sautéed zucchini. Possibly the only mod I might make the next time (and there will be MANY more!!) would be to dry-brine the breast overnight just to get a little salinity in the center of the breast, though with the drippings it wasn’t that necessary. After all the bland boring roasted chickens I’ve cooked, finally a winner!!! Thank you Jennifer!!!Reply
Keesha Smith says
I brined mine overnight in a wet brine with kosher salt and sugar and it was so juicy and delicious
Reply
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