Whole Chicken in Air fryer is perfectly cooked, juicy and delicious while taking half the time it takes in the oven.
I love roasting chicken in the air fryer. It makes for a wonderful chicken main. The leftovers are so good in salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps. This recipe is so easy that it is perfect even for newbies.
The cooking time is mostly supervision free, and the recipe is very versatile. I take off the skin as a personal preference but go ahead and leave the skin on for crispy skin. The chicken I have roasted whole varies between 2 to 3.5 lbs. and I have shared the time for the weight of the chicken as well.
You will also love whole tandoori chicken in air fryer, air fryer tandoori chicken drumsticks, air fryer chicken tikka, Air fryer Chicken Wings, KFC style chicken drumsticks.
Ingredients
Whole Chicken: I used a 2.5 lb. Chicken here
Olive oil: 2 tbsp. is used to keep the chicken moist and help the seasonings adhere.
Seasonings: I made a blend of garlic powder, paprika, chilli powder, pepper, salt and dry oregano.
Lemon slices, sage and rosemary: I used these to stuff the chicken.
Instructions
Take a whole chicken. They come with skin and I generally take the skin off as I don’t like the texture. But leave the skin on if you enjoy crispy skin.
Make sure the chicken is dry, both outside and the cavity. If there are any giblets take them out. Now rub the chicken with olive oil. Use a seasoning mix that you like like Cajun spice or BBQ spice or make a quick chicken rub like I have done.
I have combined pepper, salt, dry oregano, garlic powder, chilli powder and paprika. Rub this seasoning mix all over the chicken. Also stuff the chicken cavity with 1 lemon cut into slices along with rosemary and sage.
Preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 5 minutes. Lay the whole chicken with breast side down and air fry for 20 minutes at 180C or 360F.
After the chicken is browned on one side, flip the chicken to cook evenly on the other side.
Air fry for another 10-15 minutes till meat thermometer reads 165F or above in the thickest part of the chicken. Chicken is done now. Do not allow the chicken to overcook. Once done, take it out and rest for 10 minutes before cutting it.
This one took 5 minutes of preheating time, 20 minutes on one side and 15 minutes after flipping, all at 180C or 360F. Overall, 40 minutes.
If you chicken is about 3 to 3.5 lbs. you may need about 45 to 55 minutes total time of air frying. The bigger the chicken, the more time it will take.
Storage: You can shred leftover chicken and store in an airtight jar for upto 5 days in the fridge. Chicken bones can be used to make chicken broth. It really is so easy to make and is perfect for many meals even with leftovers.
Expert Tips
1. Check the doneness of the chicken using a meat thermometer. The temperature must be 165F or 74C for it to be cooked through. Don’t let it get much higher than that or the chicken will start drying out.
2. You can use the drippings to make a gravy or sauce.
3. This recipe needs no marination and can be cooked right away.
4. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for upto 5 days.
5. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting it.
6. If the skin is not crispy enough then bump up the temperature to 400F or 200C and air fry for 5 minutes more for browning.
7. You can use any fresh herbs that you have or like.
Here’s the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer Whole Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Whole chicken
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. Garlic powder
- ½ tsp. Paprika
- 1 tsp. Pepper
- ¾ tsp. Chili powder
- ½ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Oregano
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Instructions
- Take a whole chicken. They come with skin and I generally take the skin off as I don’t like the texture. But leave the skin on if you enjoy crispy skin.
- Make sure the chicken is dry. If there are any giblets take them out. Now rub the chicken with olive oil. Use a seasoning mix that you like like Cajun spice or BBQ spice or make a quick chicken rub like I have done.
- I have combined pepper, salt, dry oregano, garlic powder, chilli powder and paprika. Rub this seasoning mix all over the chicken. Also stuff the chicken cavity with 1 lemon cut into slices along with rosemary and sage.
- Preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 5 minutes. Lay the whole chicken with breast side down and air fry for 20 minutes at 180C or 360F.
- After the chicken is browned on one side, flip the chicken to cook evenly on the other side.
- Air fry for another 10-15 minutes till meat thermometer reads 165F or above in the thickest part of the chicken. Chicken is done now. Do not allow the chicken to overcook. Once done, take it out and rest for 10 minutes before cutting it.
- This one took 5 minutes of preheating time, 20 minutes on one side and 15 minutes after flipping, all at 180C or 360F. Overall, 40 minutes.
- If you chicken is about 3 to 3.5 lbs. you may need about 45 to 55 minutes total time of air frying. The bigger the chicken, the more time it will take.
- Storage: You can shred leftover chicken and store in an airtight jar for upto 5 days in the fridge. Chicken bones can be used to make chicken broth. It really is so easy to make and is perfect for many meals even with leftovers.
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