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For chicken that is crisp on the outside, unbelievably juicy inside, and so full of flavor, look no further than this Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe! This practically effortless main dish works perfectly for just about any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday suppers. Rotisserie chicken in the air fryer is so easy to make and so delicious that it’s sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation!
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Tips for Making the Best Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
- What to Serve With Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
- How to Store & Reheat Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Chicken Recipes:
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe
The best thing about cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is that a super simple list of ingredients, and surprisingly short cooking time, yields incredible-tasting, tender, and juicy chicken. The air fryer circulates intensely hot air around the chicken, crisping up the outside with very little oil needed. Meanwhile, the inside of the chicken cooks up moist and fall-off-the-bone tender. It’s so good!
Recipe at a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: French; American
Primary Cooking Method: Air fryer
Dietary Info: Dairy-free, gluten-free
Key Flavor: Savory and herbaceous
Skill Level: Beginner
Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Whole chicken: Use a whole young chicken, 3 to 4 pounds in size.
- Olive oil: I like to use olive oil for its flavor and health benefits, but another high smoke point oil, such as avocado oil, will also work.
- Paprika, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper: This combination of seasonings adds loads of flavor to air fryer whole chicken.
- Cooking oil spray: This is to spray the air fryer basket before adding the chicken, for easier clean-up.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Mix up the seasonings: Add or swap the seasonings by using dried oregano, marjoram, or basil. Smoked paprika is an excellent addition (a little goes a long way). Spice blends such as lemon pepper, cajun, BBQ, ranch and even taco are great choices.
- Try a different cut of chicken: This cooking method works well on other types of chicken. Cornish game hens are about 2 pounds, perfect for smaller crowds and smaller air fryers, but note it will take less time to cook. Spatchcocked chicken is also wonderful in the air fryer, but will also take less time to cook.
- Top with fresh herbs: For some flare and extra flavor, consider topping your cooked chicken with chopped parsley or thyme sprigs.
How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
It’s easy to make a whole chicken in the air fryer! Just pat your chicken dry and smear it with the oil and seasoning mixture. Place it in your air fryer and cook until tender, golden, and perfect!
Season the Chicken
- Add the olive oil, spices, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.
- Stir to combine the oil and seasonings.
- Allow the chicken to come to room temperature for 30 minutes, and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Rub the spice mixture on the chicken and underneath the skin.
Cook in the Air Fryer
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray and place the chicken inside.
- Cook until the outside is golden and crisp and the juices run clear.
Tips for Making the Best Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Pat the chicken dry before adding seasonings. Use paper towels to dry your chicken before applying the seasonings. It’s important that you apply the seasonings to dry chicken so that they adhere better.
- Distribute the spices all over. Rub the spice mixture thoroughly over the chicken, and under the skin, too, for the best flavor.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This will help the chicken reabsorb and redistribute its juices so that it doesn’t lose them when you cut into it.
- Don’t over-cook. To prevent overcooked and dry chicken, remove the chicken from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The chicken will continue to cook, increasing in temperature to the ideal temp of 165°F, while it’s resting outside the oven.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
- Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes
- Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Air-Fried Veggies
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
How to Store & Reheat Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Remove the meat from the bones and place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator. Enjoy leftover chicken cold, or reheat in the microwave. Save the carcass–it makes an excellent homemade chicken stock!
How Long Will Air Fryer Whole Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Air fryer whole chicken will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken?
Yes, you can freeze it. Place it in a freezer bag or airtight container and transfer to the freezer. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 5-quart air fryer should work for a whole chicken that is up to four pounds in size.
Your chicken is done when the juices run clear when poked, and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F. To prevent overcooked chicken, stop cooking it at 160°F. It will continue heating up as it’s resting, but it’s best to double check that the temp reached 165°F as it rested.
You’ll want to make sure you leave plenty of room for the air fryer to circulate hot air around the whole chicken, so the chicken should not be touching the sides or the top of the air fryer. As long as the air fryer can circulate the air around the chicken, it should be crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Air fryer whole chicken is a straightforward recipe that yields amazing results! With a simple list of ingredients, very little hands-on time, and fairly short cooking time, you’ll love how this simple rotisserie chicken air fryer recipe makes chicken shine.
More Chicken Recipes:
- Easy Air-Fried Chicken Breasts
- Sautéed Chicken Breasts
- Garlicky Lemon Chicken Breasts
- Roasted Whole Chicken with Rosemary
- Seasoned Skillet Chicken Thighs
- Baked Za’atar Chicken Thighs
- Garlic and Herb Roasted Chicken
- Chicken and Potatoes in One Pan
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole (3 to 4 pound) chicken giblets removed and discarded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- To prep the chicken, allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes and pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper, then use your hands to rub it all over the chicken, making sure to get underneath the skin as well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350˚F and spray the basket with oil.
- Place the chicken breast side down and cook for 30 minutes, then flip and cook breast side up for 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165˚F.
- Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Do we do this using Air Fry mode? (My machine also has bake or roast options)
The recipe says 35 mins Cook Time on top, but in the instructions is says 30 + 20-30mins so it should say Cook Time 50-60 mins.
Thank you, I have adjusted the timing accordingly.