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.
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 summer time 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! 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
For this air fryer roast chicken recipe, I use my Philips Digital Airfryer XXL Air Fryer. It holds up to 3 pounds!
- whole chicken
- olive oil
- salt
- garlic powder
- paprika
- butcher twine
- cooking spray, use a spritzer bottle of olive oil to keep this airfryer chicken Whole30 friendly
- meat thermometer
Optional:
- butter
- lemon
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
- 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.
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!
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.
WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CHICKEN FOR MEAL PREPPING
I love shredding up extra chicken for meal prepping. I store shredded leftover chicken the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container.
- 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
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?
- Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Party Snacks: Wontons 3 Ways with an Airfryer
- Simple Airfryer Turkey Dinner
- Air fryer Baked Potato
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
- Boneless Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Tofu Cubes
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
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Farrah
My parents just got an air fryer–I can’t wait to try this out! :]!