This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is my foolproof method for cooking a perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful roast chicken with melt-in-your-mouth crispy skin. Super easy to make; all it takes is a little seasoning, olive oil, and about an hour in your favorite air fryer.
Air fryer whole chicken is an easy way to enjoy delicious chicken without the hassle of traditional oven-roasting. Just like your favorite store-bought rotisserie chicken, cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer results in juicy, flavorful meat with perfectly crisp skin.
An easy and delicious recipe that anyone can master, this air fryer whole chicken is a great meal option that can be served on its own or with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. It’s a versatile dish perfect for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to a special family gathering.
I made this recipe using my homemade poultry seasoning, but feel free to use your family’s favorite seasoning blend if preferred.
If you’re looking for more air fryer chicken recipes, check out my air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer chicken legs, super crispy air fryer chicken wings, and air fryer chicken breasts (no breading).
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
1. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. Then, pat the skin dry using paper towels.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and coat the basket with non-stick cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the homemade poultry seasoning. Reserve two tablespoons of the seasoning and store the rest in an airtight container for future use.
3. In another small bowl, combine the olive oil with two tablespoons of the homemade poultry seasoning, and stir until fully combined. Rub the mixture all over the entire chicken, including between the skin and meat, and the cavity of the chicken as well, ensuring even coverage. If desired, use butcher’s twine to tie the legs together.
4. Place the chicken breast-side-down in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 30 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Check the chicken’s internal temperature using a digital instant read thermometer. If it has not yet reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes.
6. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
What Air Fryer Do I Use?
The best air fryer is the COSORI Air Fryer. It works great!
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Let the chicken rest: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and moist chicken.
- Experiment with different seasonings and flavors: Air frying allows endless possibilities when seasoning and flavoring your chicken. Try different spice blends or marinades to add some variety to your chicken.
- Keep an eye on the size of your chicken: The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size of your chicken. Adjust accordingly to ensure your chicken is cooked thoroughly and evenly.
- Pat the chicken dry: Use paper towels to pat dry the chicken skin dry. This guarantees even crispier chicken skin.
Storage and Leftovers
Keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. The leftover chicken carcass is great for making homemade chicken stock. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes or in the microwave.
How to Serve
I love serving this whole air fryer chicken with a fresh green salad, tomato salad, or roasted veggies like zucchini or asparagus. I also love adding a side of mashed potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, or simple buttered egg noodles.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe with Dipping Sauce
If you try making this Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
For the Whole Air Fryer Chicken
- 1 (3-4) pound whole chicken - at room temperature with the giblets and the neck removed
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon poultry seasoning - recipe below
- salt and black pepper - see notes
For the Homemade Poultry Seasoning
- 1½ tablespoon dried basil
- 1½ tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
- ½ tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and give it time to reach room temperature. Pat the skin dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the homemade poultry seasoning. Set aside 2 tablespoons of seasoning and store the remaining seasoning in a sealed container for later use.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil with two tablespoons of homemade poultry seasoning. Mix well to combine.
- Rub the mixture all over the chicken and in between the chicken meat and chicken skin, making sure to cover it evenly. Use butcher's twine to tie the ends of the legs together, if preferred (I did not).
- Transfer the chicken to the air fryer, breast-side-down. Cook for 30 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken over and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Once done, insert a digital meat thermometer into the breasts of the chicken to see if the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If the internal temperature has not reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, cook for another 5-10 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Jessica’s Notes
- Add salt and pepper to suit your own personal taste and preference. I suggest at least one teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper (to start). You can always add more later.
- You will have leftover seasoning as the recipe above makes approximately 7 tablespoons of poultry seasoning.
- Feel free to use a different preferred seasoning/spice blend. Read more about my poultry seasoning.
- Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Last Updated | 0 Comments