Almost as easy as grabbing a Rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, this Air Fryer Whole Chicken is ready start to finish in about an hour! Making a whole chicken in the air fryer is great for busy weeknights, and for meal prep- with super easy cleanup!
JUMP TO RECIPEFast, easy, delicious and versatile- this juicy Air Fried Whole Chicken is a great weeknight meal or meal prep recipe you can make with a few minutes of prep, and pantry staples you have on hand! Feed the whole family, or save it for meals throughout the week!
Table of Contents
- Why I love doing whole chickens in the air fryer
- Ingredient Notes
- Recipe Tips
- Prepping the bird for the air fryer
- How to make air fryer whole chicken
- Substitutions
- Storing leftovers
- More great Air Fryer recipes
Why I love doing whole chickens in the air fryer
Hands-off. Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is easy- a simple rub and 1 hour of cooking time- no babysitting or basting required.
Less mess. Cooking the chicken in the air fryer is essentially MESS FREE, and makes for super swift cleanup. As a girl who despises doing dishes, this is a game changer for me.
Quick cook time. Cooking the whole bird in the air fryer takes only a fraction of the time it takes in the oven- and no preheating is required for this recipe.
Meal-prep hero! Use it for chicken salad, soup, noodle salad, and rotisserie chicken soup.
Ingredient Notes
- A 4 pound whole chicken, giblets removed.
- Some olive oil. You can also use avocado oil or canola, if you prefer.
- ½ lemon, to put into the chicken cavity.
- Spices. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried oregano, freshly ground pepper, and coarse kosher salt make up the easy spice blend.
- Baking powder, to help the skin get extra crispy. This is optional, but recommended.
Recipe Tips
Size matters. This recipe calls for a 4 pound chicken. If you are doing a smaller (or larger) chicken, adjust the cooking time accordingly. The chicken cooks at approximately 15 minutes per pound.
Don't skip the baking powder. It helps the skin get extra crisp.
Tool tip: A good meat thermometer is great for temping the chicken to ensure doneness. When finished, he chicken should read between 160-165 degrees at the thickest point, and juices should run clear.
Prepping the bird for the air fryer
First and foremost, be sure to thoroughly dry the chicken with paper towels. This will ensure the skin won't steam, and will help it crisp up.
Once your chicken is dried, coat it in an even layer of olive oil (or oil of choice). The place a half a lemon into the cavity of the chicken. If there are giblets, remove them.
Last step:combine the spice blend and baking powder well with a wire whisk or fork, then sprinkle it evenly over both sides of the chicken. I like to rub it in with my hands to make sure the chicken is covered with the spice blend.
How to make air fryer whole chicken
Place the coated chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Cook at 360 degrees for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, carefully flip the chicken over (breast side up), and cook for 20 additional minutes.
Afterward, check for doneness. Probe the chicken with a meat thermometer at it's thickest point, and when it registers 165 degrees, it's done!
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and set on a cutting board or plate to rest for 15-30 minutes before carving and serving.
Substitutions
If you like, you can substitute the spice blend listed above for any of your pre-made favorites! You'll need about 3 teaspoon worth to coat the bird.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken (Rotisserie Style)
Equipment
- air fryer
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 4 lb whole chicken, giblets removed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- 1. Remove giblets from chicken cavity, and dry the chicken well with paper towels. 2. Once chicken is thoroughly dried, coat in an even layer of olive oil, with your hands, or with a silicone brush. 3. Combine seasoning and baking powder in a small bowl, and whisk together until completely combined. 4. Sprinkle seasoning over both sides of the chicken evenly, and rub into the chicken to evenly coat. 5. Place cut half of lemon into the cavity. 6. Place the chicken into the air fryer basket, breast side down. 7. Air fry at 360 degrees for 40 minutes.. 8. Using two spatulas, carefully flip the chicken breast side up. 9. Air fry at 360 degrees for 20 minutes more, until internal temperature of the thickest point of the chicken reads 165 degrees f. Note:About 15 mins per pound, so adjust the cooking time accordingly if using a smaller (or larger) bird.
Storing leftovers
Leftover chicken can be removed from the carcass, an stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can also store the chicken in airtight freezer bags for up to 3 months. I love to use the carcass to make some homemade chicken stock!
More great Air Fryer recipes
Try my quick and easy Air Fryer Baby Carrots.
Make my 8 minute Air Fryer Cod recipe.
© Jawns I Cooked. All images & content are the sole property of Jawns I Cooked. Please ask permission prior to using my photos. If you would like to share one of my recipes, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.
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