Got an air fryer and want a juicy and tender roast chicken? Perfectly moist with crispy skin, make this whole chicken in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. You’ll want to make this air fryer whole chicken on repeat!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
On my blog, I’ve shared how to make a whole chicken in an Instant Pot, in the oven, and in the Dutch oven, so I thought it was time to share how to make a whole chicken in an air fryer! It is surprisingly easy to make a whole chicken in the air fryer – like so easy. When I first made this air fryer roasted whole chicken, I really did not expect the chicken to be as moist as it was when it came out. I was blown away!
So if you’ve got an air fryer at home and you like rotisserie-style chicken, you’re going to love this air fryer whole chicken recipe!
Using the air fryer to cook a whole chicken is also perfect for the summertime when you don’t want to heat up your whole kitchen by cooking it traditionally in the oven. Plus, I find it easier to clean up! After making a whole chicken in the air fryer, I put the air fryer basket in the dishwasher. Easy peasy! So, give this recipe a try and try cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer!
What You’ll Need to Make A Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer
- whole chicken — make sure the innards are removed. If the chicken as been previously frozen, it needs to be fully thawed before you air fry the chicken.
- olive oil — or any oil of your choice.
- salt, garlic powder, paprika
- cooking spray — you can use a spritzer bottle of olive oil to keep this air fryer chicken Whole30 friendly.
- butcher twine — you’ll need some twine to tie the legs together. Sometimes the chicken legs go a little rouge and touch the top of the air fryer and burn, so tying them down will prevent that.
- meat thermometer — to check the internal temperature.
- air fryer — For this air fryer roast chicken recipe, I use my Philips Digital Airfryer XXL Air Fryer. It holds up to 3 pounds! As long as your air fryer fits a chicken, you’re good to go.
Optional:
- butter — unsalted butter.
- lemon and herbs — I like to stuff a cut lemon and some fresh herbs inside of the chicken, but that’s optional.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer
- Cover the chicken with olive oil and season generously with salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Tie the chicken with butcher’s twine. I find this keeps the limbs of the chicken from hitting the inside of the air fryer. Optional: stuff the inside of your chicken with a cut lemon and herbs.
- Set the air fryer to 350F and give your air fryer basket a spritz before placing the chicken breast side up. Air fry the chicken for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, flip the chicken over carefully (I use tongs) and air fry for another 8 minutes.
- Once done, use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the chicken is 165F/73C, then let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Bonus:
- For super crispy skin, 3 minutes before the cook time is done, take the chicken out, remove the twine, put the chicken back breast side up and brush melted butter onto the skin – every nook and cranny! And finish cooking the chicken.
Tips and Notes on Cooking an Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- I do not wash my chicken. I’ve had people ask before if I wash my chicken before cooking and Health Canada states that you should never rinse poultry before cooking it because the bacteria can spread wherever the water splashes.
- When you’re done with the chicken, I’d suggest freezing the bones to save it for chicken stock! I like to use my Instant Pot to make it quickly.
- Want even crispier skin? Before you cook the chicken and season it, gently lift the chicken’s skin and rub butter underneath the skin!
- Pat dry the chicken if there is moisture on it. Patting the chicken dry will help the oil and seasoning stick to the chicken better. If the chicken has moisture on the skin, it’ll steam in the oven instead of roast.
- Here’s a YouTube video from Bon Appetit on how to carve a chicken if you need help. I personally suck at it and have my housemate do it for me lol.
- Want to make this in a slow cooker? Check out this slow cooker whole chicken recipe.
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezer: allow the air fryer chicken to cool before shredding or carving, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container before storing them in the freezer. Chicken can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
What to Serve with an Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Here are some side dishes that I like to serve with my whole air fryer chicken recipe:
- Lemon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Maple Brussels Sprouts
- Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage and Sage
- Brioche Stuffing with Rosemary and Sausage
- Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts
- Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice with Butter and Garlic
- Avocado Corn Salsa
Ways to Use Leftover Chicken
I love shredding up extra chicken for meal prepping. Here are some recipes that uses shredded chicken.
- Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
- Freezer Chicken Burritos
- Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas
- Freezer Friendly Chicken and Cheese Hand Pies
- These three recipes that I make with leftover chicken
- Chicken Mason Jar Salad
- Chicken Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lb whole chicken
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- cooking spray
Equipment
Instructions
- Cover the chicken with olive oil and season generously with salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Tie the chicken with butcher’s twine.
- Set the air fryer to 350F and give your air fryer basket a spritz before placing the chicken breast side up. Set for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, flip the chicken over carefully (I use tongs) and cook for another 8 minutes.
- Once done, use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the chicken is 165F/73C, then let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
WANT TO TRY ANOTHER AIRFRYER RECIPE?
- Simple Airfryer Turkey Dinner
- Air fryer Baked Potato
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
- Boneless Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Teriyaki Salmon (Air Fryer)
- Air Fryer Halloumi
- Air Fryer Gochujang Chicken
- Air Fryer Dumplings
- Air Fryer Sausage Links
Other places to connect with me
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Farrah says
My parents just got an air fryer–I can’t wait to try this out! :]!