Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe (Super Easy!)
Our delicious and juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken is bound to become a weeknight favorite! With its crispy skin and juicy meat, it is seasoned to perfection with a flavorful mix of spices and herbs that will have you coming back for more. Perfect for the whole family!
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Whole Chicken
There’s nothing quite like the simplicity and deliciousness of a homemade whole chicken. And when it’s made in an air fryer, you’re in for a treat. Here’s why:
- Effortless Cooking: Say goodbye to the hassle of traditional oven roasting. The air fryer makes it super easy.
- Quick Weeknight Dinners: No need to spend hours in the kitchen. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy Option: Using minimal oil, this method is a great way to enjoy a low-carb, keto-friendly meal. It’s even perfect for Whole30!
- Perfectly Crispy and Juicy: The air fryer guarantees the skin gets crispy while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Adjustable Flavors: With the blend of spices and herbs, you can easily adjust the flavors to match your preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Ready to get cooking? Here’s how to make a flavorful air fryer chicken that’s bound to impress. It’s easier than you think, and the results are absolutely delicious.
Preparing Your Chicken
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is key to getting that crispy skin. Next, in a small bowl, combine dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and avocado oil. Stir well to create your seasoning mix.
Seasoning and Cooking
Take your seasoning mix and rub it all over the skin of the chicken, making sure it’s evenly coated for maximum flavor. Now, carefully place the chicken in the air fryer basket, chicken breast side down, and air fry the chicken for 60-75 minutes.
Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken and the model of your air fryer. Halfway through, flip the chicken to ensure even browning. When the time is up, use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is done. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thigh’s thickest part.
Resting
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This step is crucial for keeping the juices in, making your chicken even more tender and flavorful.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips and notes to make this recipe perfect every time:
- Choosing Your Chicken: Opt for a small to medium chicken (3-4 pounds) to make sure it fits in your air fryer and cooks evenly.
- Seasoning: Don’t be shy with the seasoning mix. It’s what gives your chicken that irresistible flavor. Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste, or add your own ingredients like oregano, thyme, and fresh lemon juice.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting the chicken rest before cutting into it is a non-negotiable step. It allows the juices to redistribute, making your chicken even more succulent.
- Adjusting Cooking Time: Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken, cooking times may vary. Keep an eye on your bird, especially the first time you try this recipe.
- Cleaning Up: To make cleanup easier, you can line the bottom of your air fryer with aluminum foil. Just make sure not to cover the entire basket to allow airflow.
- Can I cook a frozen chicken in the air fryer? It’s best to thoroughly thaw your chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking and may not achieve the desired crispy skin.
- Other Types of Oil: While avocado oil is great for its high smoke point and neutral flavor, you can also use olive oil or another vegetable oil. Just choose an oil with a high smoke point to make sure it withstands the air frying process.
- Meal Prep: This air fryer whole chicken is fantastic for meal prep. You can cook it ahead of time and use the meat in various dishes throughout the week, such as salads, sandwiches, and soups.
- Can I make gravy with the drippings? Since air fryers work by circulating hot air, there are usually not as many drippings as you’d find when oven-roasting a chicken. However, if you do find some juices in the bottom of the air fryer basket, you can certainly use them to make a small amount of gravy. Just remember, the quantity might be limited.
- Extra Crispy Skin: To make sure the skin gets extra crispy, pat the chicken dry thoroughly before seasoning. Also, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking helps expose all sides to the hot air, crisping up the skin evenly.
- Save the Bones: You can make homemade stock from the chicken bones by adding them to a slow cooker with water, seasoning, and herbs, and letting it cook low and slow all day. This saves money and is delicious! If you’re not ready to make it after dinner and let it cook overnight, just freeze the bones in a freezer bag for later.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Got leftover chicken? No problem. Here’s how to keep your air fryer roast chicken tasting great for later:
- Refrigerate: Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature and then place the leftover chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken. After it’s cooled down, wrap it tightly in freezer-safe wrap or place it in a freezer bag. Properly stored, it can last up to 4 months. Just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your chicken again, reheat it in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. This method helps keep the skin crispy and the meat tender.
Our Top Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Check out our top tips to save money while still making a mouthwatering meal:
- Buy Chicken on Sale: Keep an eye out for sales at your local grocery store. Chicken often goes on sale, and you can freeze it until you’re ready to cook.
- Bulk Buy Spices: Purchasing spices and oil in bulk can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you cook often.
- Use Leftovers Wisely: Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into sandwiches, salads, or soups to get the most out of your purchase.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Here are some of my favorite sides to go with juicy air fryer whole chicken:
Roasted Vegetables
A mix of roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, and sweet potatoes not only adds color to your plate but also a variety of nutrients. Simply toss them in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the air fryer or oven until tender and caramelized.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
For a comforting side, creamy mashed potatoes are a classic choice. They’re the perfect vessel for soaking up any juices from the chicken (especially if you make some chicken gravy!), and you can flavor them with garlic, butter, and herbs for an extra kick.
Quinoa or Rice Pilaf
If you’re looking for a wholesome grain to round out your meal, a quinoa or rice pilaf is a fantastic choice. You can cook it with broth instead of water and add in some onions, garlic, and spices for extra flavor. It’s a great way to add a little heartiness to your meal without overshadowing the star of the show: the chicken.
More Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Homemade Fries
- Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
- Chipotle Sauce
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Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe (Super Easy!)
Ingredients
- 1 small whole chicken 3-4 pounds
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the entire chicken dry with paper towels.1 small whole chicken
- In a small bowl, combine the dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and avocado oil. Mix well.2 teaspoons dried rosemary, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Rub the skin of the chicken with the mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Gently place the seasoned whole chicken into the preheated air fryer basket, breast side down.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 60-75 minutes, depending on the size and weight of the chicken. Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the whole chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Choosing Your Chicken: Opt for a small to medium chicken (3-4 pounds) to make sure it fits in your air fryer and cooks evenly.
- Seasoning: Don’t be shy with the seasoning mix. It’s what gives your chicken that irresistible flavor. Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste, or add your own ingredients like oregano, thyme, and fresh lemon juice.
- Adjusting Cooking Time: Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken, cooking times may vary. Keep an eye on your bird, especially the first time you try this recipe, and test it with a meat thermometer before serving.
- Cleaning Up: To make cleanup easier, you can line the bottom of your air fryer with aluminum foil. Just make sure not to cover the entire basket to allow airflow.
- Can I cook a frozen chicken in the air fryer? It’s best to thoroughly thaw your chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking and may not achieve the desired crispy skin.
- Other Types of Oil: While avocado oil is great for its high smoke point and neutral flavor, you can also use olive oil or another vegetable oil. Just choose an oil with a high smoke point to make sure it withstands the air frying process.
- Meal Prep: This air fryer whole chicken is fantastic for meal prep. You can cook it ahead of time and use the meat in various dishes throughout the week, such as salads, sandwiches, and soups.
- Can I make gravy with the drippings? Since air fryers work by circulating hot air, there are usually not as many drippings as you’d find when oven-roasting a chicken. However, if you do find some juices in the bottom of the air fryer basket, you can certainly use them to make a small amount of gravy. Just remember, the quantity might be limited.
- Extra Crispy Skin: To make sure the skin gets extra crispy, pat the chicken dry thoroughly before seasoning. Also, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking helps expose all sides to the hot air, crisping up the skin evenly.
- Save the Bones: You can make homemade stock from the chicken bones by adding them to a slow cooker with water, seasoning, and herbs, and letting it cook low and slow all day. This saves money and is delicious! If you’re not ready to make it after dinner and let it cook overnight, just freeze the bones in a freezer bag for later.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature and then place the leftover chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken. After it’s cooled down, wrap it tightly in freezer-safe wrap or place it in a freezer bag. Properly stored, it can last up to 4 months. Just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your chicken again, reheat it in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. This method helps keep the skin crispy and the meat tender.
