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    Home » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    Published: Feb 18, 2021 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Best Air fryer whole chicken recipe that is easy, simple, and straightforward. This air fried whole chicken is well seasoned, packed full of flavor, crispy skin, moist and tender inside. It's perfect for Sunday roast, weeknight dinner, or special occasions. Learn how to cook whole chicken in air fryer with this step by step guide.

    air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket.

    Air fryer whole chicken is my new favorite way of making roast chicken when I'm not making my instant pot whole chicken. Cooking is just more fun and easier with those two gadgets. In fact, I've loved everything I have made in my air fryer since I bought it. It is easy to use, simple and straightforward settings, and doesn't take up much space. Cooking has never been made easier.

    This air fryer roast chicken recipe is not just flavorful and delicious, it's also ready in just under an hour.

    You will love this perfect air fryer rotisserie chicken recipe that is as simple as season, air fry, rest it, carve, and serve!

    Pair with roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, air fryer potatoes, gravy, sauce, or any sides of choice for the perfect roast dinner, special occasions, or weeknight dinner.

    whole roast chicken served on white plate.

    Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

    In this post, I have detailed how to make air fryer whole roast chicken that the skin comes out crispy without burning and the meat inside is moist, juicy, and tender.

    You need just a few pantry ingredients to season and you get flavor-packed chicken. Let me also add that the ingredients for this recipe are budget-friendly and you are most likely to have them in your kitchen cupboard.

    With this recipe, you get a perfectly seasoned and delicious roast that you will be proud of.

    For this recipe, I used my Probreeze XL 5.7 quarts air fryer. Other air fryer brands I recommend include:

    Power Xl

    Cosori

    Ninja

    I used a 1.4kg (3.2lb) chicken for this recipe and it fitted nicely with enough space left in my 5.5 liters air fryer. The 5.7 quarts should fit in up to 4 lb chicken.

    When buying chicken from the shop, put into consideration the size of your air fryer. You can also spatchcock the chicken (this is helpful if you need to cook a big bird) if need be. Check my detailed post on how to Spatchcock a chicken.

    Cooked chicken in air fryer basket

    Ingredients

    To make this recipe, you will need the below ingredients (The full ingredient list and directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post).

    Whole chicken

    Smoked paprika

    Onion powder

    Garlic powder or granules

    Oregano

    Pepper- Black or Cayenne pepper

    Salt

    Olive oil - This helps the seasoning stick. You need just a tablespoon for this recipe. 

    Ingredients displayed on a white table.

    MORE SEASONING OPTIONS

    Some other seasonings i use to marinate chicken are listed below. You can choose to use any of these so you're not limited to one.  

    Chicken seasoning 

    Jerk Seasoning

    Italian seasoning 

    How to Cook Whole Chicken in Air fryer

    Here's a step by step guide on how to air fry whole chicken

    First, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and oil. Mix well.

    seasoning mixed in a small white bowl.

    Remove the cavities from the whole chicken and pat it dry with a paper towel.

    chicken and the seasoning mix displayed.

    Rub the seasoning marinade all over and inside the chicken making sure all parts are covered. 

    Reserve a little bit of the marinade as you will use it later in the cooking process.

    Marinated chicken displayed.

    You can leave the chicken to marinate for 15-30 minutes or longer if you have the time.

    Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket.

    marinated chicken breast side down in air fryer basket.

    Turn on the air fryer and set it to a temperature of 350F/ 175C and time to 40 minutes. Cook breast down on this setting.

    After 40 minutes, bring the basket out and use a thong to flip over the chicken to breast side up. Brush the side up with the leftover marinade then cook at a temperature of 360F/180C for 10 minutes. 

    chicken breast side up in the air fryer basket.

    Switch off the AF, bring out the basket and leave the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. 

    Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is atleast 165F when cooked as it is not safe to eat if internal temperature is below this number. Use a meat thermometer to check.

    Don't leave the chicken to rest in the air fryer as the heat will keep cooking it and dry up the chicken. Bring the basket out to rest.

    Cooked chicken displayed.

    Frozen Whole Chicken in Air Fryer 

    It's best to cook from fresh but yes you can cook whole chicken from frozen. Run under water to deglaze any ice on it then follow the cooking instructions above. Note that cooking time will be longer as you will have to cook at a lower temperature so the chicken gets to defrost and not cook too quickly.

    How long to cook whole chicken in the Air Fryer

    This depends on the size of the chicken and the brand of your air fryer. For this 3.2lb (1.4kg) chicken, I cook for 40 minutes breast side up then 10 minutes breast side down at a temperature of 180C/360F. Don't cook at a higher temperature as this will make the skin burn before the inside is well cooked rather air fry on low heat for longer to ensure even cooking. 

    2kg - Cook for 50 minutes breast side down and 1 minutes breast side up.

    air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket.

    What to serve with

    Air fryer roast potatoes - These fluffy inside and crispy outside potatoes make a perfect side. 

    Air fryer Vegetables or Carrots

    Gravy

    Yorkshire pudding

    Whole chicken served on white plate.

    Tips for Air fryer whole chicken

    • If you use a bigger chicken you will have to increase cooking time. 
    • Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer brand.
    • Don't forget to remove the cavity from the bird.
    • If cooking a big-sized chicken you can spatchcock the chicken to flatten it so it fits in the AF.
    • Cook breast side down first.
    • Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165F when cooked as it is not safe to eat if the internal temperature is below this number.
    • Allow chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Don't rest it in the air fryer, bring it out to rest.
    • If using a big chicken without much room in the AF, tie the legs to prevent them from touching the top and overcooking.

    How to Store

    Leave to cool completely, put in a Ziploc or put in an airtight container, label then store:

    In the fridge – for up to 3 days.

    In the freezer – If stored in the freezer, it can be stored for up to 6 months.

    To reheat- It can be reheated from frozen. Remove from packaging, place inside the basket, and air fry at a temperature of 200C/400F. Start from 4 minutes and adjust time till it is hot and heated through.

    cooked and displayed.

    More Air Fryer chicken recipes

    Air fryer chicken drumsticks

    Air fryer bbq chicken wings

    Best air fried chicken legs

    Air fryer chicken thighs

    Air fryer southern fried chicken

    Other AF recipes you'll love

    Air fryer Omelette

    Air fried Steak

    I hope you like this recipe as much as I do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    Best Air fryer whole chicken recipe that is easy, simple, and straightforward. This air fried rotisserie chicken is well seasoned, packed full of flavour, crispy skin, moist and tender inside. It's perfect for Sunday roast, weeknight dinner or special occasions. Learn how to cook whole chicken in air fryer with this step by step guide.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time50 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer frozen whole chicken, air fryer roast chicken, air fryer whole chicken, how to cook whole chicken in air fryer
    Servings: 7
    Calories: 473kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1.4 kg (3.2lb) Whole Chicken
    • 1.5 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Oregano
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoon Oil Vegetable or Sunflower oil

    Instructions

    • First, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and oil. Mix well. 
      seasoning mixed in a small white bowl.
    • Remove the giblets from the whole chicken cavities and pat it dry with a paper towel. 
      chicken and the seasoning mix displayed.
    • Rub the seasoning marinade all over and inside the chicken making sure all parts are covered. 
      Reserve a little bit of the marinade as you will use it later in the cooking process.
      You can leave the chicken to marinate for 15-30 minutes or longer if you have the time
      Marinated chicken displayed.
    • Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. Turn on the air fryer and set it to a temperature of 350F/ 175C and time to cook 40 minutes. Cook breast down on this setting.
      chicken breast side up in the air fryer basket.
    • After 40 minutes, bring the basket out and use a thong to flip over the chicken to breast side up. Brush the side up with the leftover marinade then cook at a temperature of 360F/180C for 10 minutes.
      cooked and displayed.
    • Switch off the AF, bring out the basket and leave the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. 
      Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is atleast 165F when cooked as it is not safe to eat if internal temperature is below this number. Use a meat thermometer to check.
      Don't leave the chicken to rest in the air fryer as the heat will keep cooking it and dry up the chicken. Bring the basket out to rest.
      air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket.

    Video

    Notes

    TIPS
    • If you use a bigger chicken you will have to increase cooking time. 
    • Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer brand.
    • Don't forget to remove the cavity from the bird.
    • If cooking a big-sized chicken you can spatchcock the chicken to flatten it so it fits in the AF.
    • Cook breast side down first.
    • Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165F when cooked as it is not safe to eat if the internal temperature is below this number.
    • Allow chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Don't rest it in the air fryer, bring it out to rest.
    • If using a big chicken without much room in the AF, tie the legs to prevent them from touching the top and overcooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 428mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1140IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Honey Soy Chicken Wings
    Instant Pot Steak
    Easy Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe
    « Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
    Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe »
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    Comments

    1. Samia says

      March 16, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      What does “removing the cavity “ means?

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        March 17, 2022 at 4:08 am

        Apologies. It's 'remove giblets from the cavities. Now corrected.

        Reply

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