The best use of your air fryer is making this air fryer whole chicken. The meat is juicy and the skin is extra crispy and flavorful like a rotisserie style chicken...you are going to love how easy this whole chicken in the air fryer is!
Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
I have made several things in my air fryer that I love, but I think this Air Fryer whole chicken is my new favorite. The chicken is perfectly tender and juicy (even the white meat!) and has extra crispy skin. My family gives it rave reviews! I bet you didn't think you could air fry a whole chicken, but you can! It just depends on how big your air fryer is and how big of a chicken you have.
I love this technique so much more than making a roast chicken in the oven. This air fried whole chicken is more like a rotisserie chicken because of the amazing flavor from the seasonings! A lot of people serve this air fried roast chicken with roasted potatoes for a classic complete meal. I like to pull the meat from the bone and have it on salads for a low carb and keto friendly meal.
Air fryer whole chicken recipe ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this air fryer whole chicken recipe so you can make it perfectly the first time, and every single time. For a printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
5 - 6 pound (2.3 - 2.7 kg) chicken, giblets removed - My chicken was right at 5.5 pounds and fit with extra room in my 8 quart air fryer. I have also used a 6 quart air fryer and the 5 pound chicken fit perfectly.
If your air fryer is smaller, you still have options. If your air fryer has a removable grate, you would possibly be able to fit a larger chicken. Also, organic chickens tend to be smaller...around 4 pounds.
Seasoning blend:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
How to make a roast chicken in the air fryer
This section explains how to make this whole chicken in the air fryer recipe, step by step. For a full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
This recipe has easy steps but I have a few tricks that will ensure that your chicken does not dry out before it is cooked all of the way through. The most important thing when making an air fryer rotisserie chicken is that you have juicy meat! I would say that is even more important than having super crispy skin.
- Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels and tuck the wings under.
- Combine all of the seasoning blend spices and oil in a small bowl to make a paste. Use a basting brush to coat the breast side of the whole chicken with half of the seasoning rub.
- Lift the chicken with the legs and place it in the air fryer basket breast side down. Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the rub.
Tip💡: Notice I removed the grate from the bottom of my air fryer. This is something I would recommend if your air fryer allows. While the chicken is cooking, it will release a lot of juices and the breast meat will essentially be marinating in these juices as it cooks, so the meat will be extremely juicy.
- I cooked the chicken at 360F (182C) for 50 minutes breast side down, then I flipped it and did 10 more minutes. It is important to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F (74C) using an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast. You may need to add extra time to the air fryer until the temperature is reached in the breast.
You now need to remove the chicken from the air fryer onto a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
I am telling you now, you will not believe how delicious and juicy chicken in the air fryer is. It really is the easiest way to make the perfect roast chicken!
Is an air fryer big enough for a whole chicken?
It really depends on the size of your air fryer and the size chicken you bought. Most chickens you buy in the store are around 5 to 6 pounds (organic could result in a 4-pound chicken). If you have an air fryer that is smaller than 5 quarts, you may need to find a smaller chicken.
Some newer conventional ovens now have air fry as a setting (essentially a convection oven) so you would be able to air fry any size whole chicken in it!
What to do with leftover roast chicken?
- Pull the chicken from the bone and make sandwiches, chicken salad, or enchiladas (save the carcass in a freezer bag to make chicken bone broth later) for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
- My favorite way is to use in Chicken Noodle soup or any soup that contains shredded chicken.
- Here is a good use for leftover shredded chicken (30+ Shredded Chicken Recipes)
More easy air fryer recipes: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Bacon, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer chicken tenders. This air fryer whole chicken is one of my most popular, though. Along with my air fryer chicken thighs and air fryer chicken breasts!
Juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken with Crispy Skin
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Ingredients
- 5-6 lb Whole chicken, giblets removed
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (I prefer smoked paprika)
- ½ teaspoon Dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings with the oil to make a paste. Use a basting brush to spread half of the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken. Pick the chicken up with the legs, and place it breast side down in the air fryer basket. (note: I removed my grate from my air fryer for this recipe. If yours allows, I would do the same. It will allow for a bigger chicken, and the breast meat will marinate in the released juices as it cooks.). Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the rub.
- Air fry at 360 degrees F (182C) for 50 minutes. Flip the chicken to breast side up and cook for an additional 10 minutes. (Cook time will vary depending on your air fryer wattage, size, and the size of your chicken)
- Check to make sure the internal temperature of your chicken breast meat has a temperature of 165F (74C) using an instant read thermometer. Continue to cook until the temperature is reached. Remove from the air fryer basket to a cutting board and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The nutrition information is for 4 ounces of air fried whole rotisserie chicken
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Melissa k says
Do it! You won't regret it
Jeanie says
Juiciest chicken I’ve ever made!
Mike Rosko says
Making my 1st one tonight....Wish me luck!
Angie O. says
Just made today, SO awesome you can do this at home! Thanks for sharing !
Vonnie says
It turned out delicious with very little effort. We used it for two meals. Wil definitely use this recipe again
Sari says
Wonderful recipe!! I happened to have a abundance of lemons last time I made this recipe. I cut one in quarters and put in the cavity. Turned out delicious!!
Mary says
Oh my word! I don’t usually leave reviews but this chicken was amazing! I was cooking my whole chicken in a pressure cooker but that’s not going happen anymore. Thank you Jenn for sharing this with us!!!!
Lynda says
Yup plain n simple
It’s a winner
Just follow the recipe
Made it several times
Perfect❣️
Thanks so much
Debbie Schelfhout says
This is a no fail way to cook air fryer chicken, it turns out perfect every time it is the only way I cook it now. Thanks Jennifer for sharing, much appreciated. Both my daughters and my mother in law are also huge fans and this is also their go to way to cook it. I have a 6.5 pound chicken cooking right now in the air fryer.
Mel says
I'm trying this for dinner tonight.
Dotty says
I am making whole chicken tonight with your receipe i my air fryer 7 inch basket.Will let you know how it came out.Hope chicken fits.
Jamie says
This recipe has become a go-to for my family. We all love it! Thank you!
Kelley says
I’ve made several times now, it’s delicious and so easy! Thank you!
Arlette says
Going to make this today.looks delicious easy
Marisa Elle says
This was so good! I followed the recipe exactly as written except I reduced the salt to 1 teaspoon and it was perfect for us. I did loosen the skin and rubbed some of the seasoning between the skin and the meat which made it all the more delicious. I will use this seasoning recipe again and again for air fryer drumsticks, thighs, and wings. Thank you!
Terry Severson says
Best whole chicken recipe ever. Made this several times. Easy and delicious!
Kathryn Barker says
I’ve made this numerous times! Better than store bought by far
Karin says
This was soooooo juicy and delicious! And easy and sugar free too. Turned out great and my kitchen didn't get smoky. I put the air fryer next to the stovetop and turned on the exhaust.
Pamela says
Very juicy, and tasty! One recommendation: Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer produces a lot of greasy chicken smelling smoke! Put your air fryer near an open window, or better yet, cook this outside! It must have to do with how full the air fryer is and how long it has to cook; I've not had this issue before, even with fish.
Genevieve Bantz says
Came out perfect!! Better than store brought and no additives💖
Michele says
Just made my 1st whole roasted chicken in the air fryer, with this recipe. AWESOME!
Bill says
Not nearly as juicy as I was hoping for, but one side took nearly 2o minutes to get to 165. 1/3 the cost of the rotisserie chicken at the same store, but more flavor und the skin.
Kylie says
Amazing taste and time was perfect! Even our fussy kids ate it.
Denise says
I absolutely LOVE this recipe - especially when using the air fryer. It is becoming a staple in our house hold!
J says
I'm not sure what I did wrong. My chicken has been thawing in the fridge since Saturday (it's now Monday). As far as I know, it was completely thawed. It's a little under 4 and half pounds so I decreased my time a little. I selected the roast function on my air fryer, flipped after 41 minutes and the breasts aren't done. I switched to air fry and it's been going another 15-20 minutes on air fry and the chicken breasts are only reading about 145 on the thermometer. Should I not have used the roast feature and just done air fry?
J says
Should say - flipped after 41, continued cooking for another 10 once flipped, before taking out and changing to air fry.
Cindy says
Air fry the whole time!
Julie says
I just bought an air fryer that fries and roasts. All the recipes said air fry on the whole chicken so that's what I did against my original idea of roasting. It came out perfect! Air fry all the way!
Jamie says
If you use the roast setting it does not blow the air as strong as the air fryer setting and you will have to increase the cooking time.
Leslie says
Completely delicious and so easy. Thank you!
Mary says
Best chicken ever. Better than any rotisserie you can buy!
Jennifer says
Thanks for this awesome recipe. I will never cook chicken any other way.
Maryam says
Very helpful and kind, Thanks
Theodora Morris says
This was quick, easy and tender chicken in no time! I thought I could not love my air frier anymore but this recipe proved me wrong!
diane says
Can this be made in the type of air fryer that is an air fryer/toast oven combo such as the Cuisinart? Would I use the same instructions?
jenniferbanz says
Yes, as long as it fits!
Jermaine says
Genuinely excellent recipe.
Followed instructions to the letter and it was PERFECTION.
Thank you for your brilliance. 😌👌
Carol says
I love this recipe and have made it in my air fryer many times. But I needed to make enough for a large group so decided to use the seasoning on my chicken quarters and cook it on the grill. WOW! I was not disappointed and neither were my guests. I just set Alexa to remind me to turn the chicken every 10-15 minutes. Once it reached the desired temperature, I removed it.
Now, I have a few thick cut pork chops in the suits vide. I am wondering if I can use this seasoning once they are almost at desired temperature and cook them on the grill?? I will let you know if it works. 😉
Anita says
This chicken is so moist and good, but the spices ate outstanding. This is my go to recipe for cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer.
Michelle says
I make this EVERY week, I'll never buy rotisserie from the store ever again! I play around with the spices but this recipe really never fails. It is the easiest and tastiest. Thank you so much!!
Kelley says
I’ve made this 1 time and am making again today. So good and SO easy!
Steph says
What a winner of a recipe! The family loved it, thank you!
Victoria Coss says
Absolutely delicious! Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside just as you said!
Colm says
Best chicken I've ever had
Kathryn Barker says
I’ve made this a few times..always delicious
Sarah Sen says
Excellent!! awesome quick fix for dinner. Simple rub,still the meat was tender n flavour. My family finished the whole chicken in one meal.