Air Fryer Whole Chicken 3 Easy & Delicious Ways
Air fry a whole chicken and forget you have an oven, you will never cook a chicken any other way again!
The air fryer cooks a healthy perfectly crispy succulent chicken.
It’s quick and clean-up is super easy, with no messy pans.
The air fryer also guarantees perfect results every time!
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How To Choose The Right Size Chicken For Air Frying
Of course, this will depend on the size of your air fryer basket(s).
For these recipes, I am using a Ninja Dual AF400UK.
This innovative air fryer features two independent drawers, allowing you to cook two different dishes simultaneously with unique temperatures and settings, ensuring everything is ready to serve at once. With a generous 9.5L capacity, it’s perfect for feeding families or entertaining guests.
Ninja AF400UK can fit up to a 2kg (4.5lbs) chicken in one of its 4.75L drawers –you can easily create a complete meal of a whole roast chicken in one drawer and crispy air-fried chips in the other drawer and the meal will be ready to eat at the same time!
- A chicken up to 2 kg (4.5 lbs) will fit in a 4-7 litre air fryer.
- A smaller chicken 1.4kg to 1.6 kg (3 to 3.5 lbs) will fit in a 3-4L air fryer.
Always check your chicken will fit comfortably into your air fryer.
Air Frying A Whole Chicken
Air Fryer Whole Chicken Tips
Want an air fryer roast chicken with maximum flavour?
Season it generously. Besides salt and pepper, you can use a variety of herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the taste.
Consider options like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, or even a dry rub to add depth to the flavour.
Make sure to season the chicken’s exterior and cavity for more flavour.
Air Fryer Chicken Crispy Skin
Crispy skin is one of the best parts of an air fryer chicken.
To achieve crispy skin, keep these tips in mind:
Make sure the chicken’s skin is dry before seasoning it. Patting the chicken with paper towels helps remove excess moisture, allowing the skin to crisp up more easily.
Using a little oil or cooking spray on the skin can help with browning and crispiness.
How To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Air Fryer
Before cooking your air fryer whole chicken, preheat the appliance.
The preheating time varies depending on the model and size of your air fryer, but a general guideline is to preheat it for about 5 minutes at 190°C / 380°F before air frying your chicken.
Once the air fryer has preheated place the chicken in the basket breast down, no oil is necessary.
Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
How Long To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Air Fryer?
The cooking time and temperature for air fryer whole chicken may vary depending on the size of the chicken and the specific model of your air fryer.
A general guideline is to cook a 3 to 4-pound chicken at 190°C/380°F for approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
Always check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and to avoid food poisoning.
3 Delicious Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipes
Here are some mouthwatering recipes, feel free to experiment with different flavours and seasonings to suit your taste.
Air Fryer Herb Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C / 380°F for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the dried thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub the olive oil all over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the herb mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure all sides are well coated.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down.
- Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, then turn it over and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C/165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before carving.
- Serve the herb-roasted air fryer whole chicken with your favourite sides and enjoy!
Lemon and Garlic Air Fryer Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C/380°F for 5 minutes.
- Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the chicken with the olive oil. Sprinkle the garlic and herb mixture over the chicken, including the cavity.
- Add the lemon slices to the chicken cavity.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side up.
- Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, then turn it over and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.
Air Fryer Paprika Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to your taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C/380°F for 5 minutes.
- Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the olive oil evenly over the whole chicken.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the chicken, pressing it gently to stick the spice mixture to the oil.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side up.
- Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, then turn it over and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Feel free to get creative with your seasoning combinations and experiment with different flavours to customize your air fryer whole chicken recipe according to your preferences.
This instant-read thermometer features a foldable long probe that makes it easy to check the internal temperature of meats without getting too close to the heat. The backlight display ensures you can read temperatures clearly, even in low light. Perfect for grilling, roasting, or air frying, this digital meat thermometer is a must-have tool for any cook.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Quick One Hour Roast Chicken Dinner
How To Make Easy Moist Cupcakes
Chicken Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long To Cook A Whole Chicken In An Air Fryer?
Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken and the specific model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, a 3 to 4-pound chicken usually takes around 40-45 minutes at 190°C /380°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 74°C/ 165°F for safe consumption.
2. Can I Stuff The Chicken Before Air Frying?
It is not recommended to stuff the chicken before air frying. The stuffing may not cook thoroughly and could pose a food safety risk. It’s best to cook the stuffing separately.
3. Do I Need To Turn The Chicken During Cooking?
Turning the chicken during cooking is optional but can help with browning and crispiness. When turning the chicken, use tongs or silicone-coated utensils to avoid scratching the air fryer basket.
4. What Should I Do If The Chicken Skin Is Not Crispy?
If the chicken skin is not crispy, you can try a few things to improve it. First, make sure the chicken’s skin is dry before seasoning it. Excess moisture can prevent crisping. Lightly spraying the skin with cooking spray or brushing it with a thin layer of oil before air frying can help crisp up the skin.
5. Can I Use A Frozen Whole Chicken In The Air Fryer?
You can use a frozen whole chicken in an air fryer. However, thaw the chicken completely before cooking. Thawing the chicken in the refrigerator overnight is recommended for the best results.
6. Can I Put Raw Chicken In The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can! There is not a lot you cannot cook in an air fryer. Be sure to wash and pat dry with kitchen paper before cooking.
