Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Whole Chicken is a total game changer when it comes to getting a delicious dinner on the table. It turns out moist, tender and juicy every time!

Just 5 minutes of prep time and 1 hour in the air fryer turns a whole chicken into a rotisserie style chicken! Serve with a side of scalloped potatoes, green beans with bacon or shredded in a sourdough tortilla, the possibilities are endless!

Why you'll love it

• Air fryer chicken is quick and easy.
• No need to heat up the oven during the hotter months of the year.
• Perfect for meal prepping chicken to use in other meals.
• Turns out tender and juicy every time!

Use this juicy chicken to make easy chicken noodle soup, chicken bacon ranch casserole or curried chicken salad with mango chutney!

What you'll need

• Whole Chicken: Buy a chicken that weighs between 4-5 lbs. If your air fryer is less than 5 quarts, you will need to get a smaller chicken.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil are good choices.
• Seasonings: Salt, garlic powder and onion powder make a great whole roasted chicken that can be used in a variety of different recipes. Feel free to add any seasonings you like!

how to air fry a whole chicken

1. Rub the outside of  a 4 to 5 lb. chicken with a healthy oil like coconut oil, olive oil or avocado oil. I lightly spray the outside with my avocado oil cooking spray to make this part super easy. Next, coat the outside of the chicken with a generous amount of seasonings, at least 1 tablespoon. You can use whatever flavors you like!
2. Place the chicken with the breast side down in the basket of the air fryer. Set the temperature to 360°F for 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, use a pair of kitchen tongs to turn the chicken over, breast side up, and cook an additional 20 minutes at 360°F. Once the time is up, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken meat is at least 165°F.
3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

How to store it

• To Store: Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• To Freeze: Place leftover chicken in a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 6 months.

Easy chicken recipes

• Rosemary Chicken with Vegetables
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole
• Greek Marinated Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

A tender and juicy whole chicken roasted in under an hour in the air fryer!

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5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Author: Amy Duska

EQUIPMENT

• 5 Quart Air Fryer

INGREDIENTS

• 4-5 lb. whole chicken (giblets removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

INSTRUCTIONS

• Prepare the chicken: Rub the outside of the chicken with oil to help the seasonings stick. Generously rub the salt, garlic powder and onion powder on the outside of the chicken.
• Cook: Place the chicken, breast side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360°F for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 20 minutes at 360°F. 

  (The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F using a food thermometer. If the chicken is not done, cook an additional 10 minutes and check internal temperature again.)
• Let Rest: Use a set of kitchen tongs to carefully remove the chicken and transfer it to a cutting board or serving platter. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

NOTES

• To Store: Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• To Freeze: Place leftover chicken in a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 318IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg