This air fryer whole chicken recipe makes the juiciest roast chicken with perfectly crispy skin in about an hour. Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to get rotisserie-style flavor at home without heating up the oven. The circulating hot air cooks the chicken evenly so the meat stays tender and juicy while the skin becomes golden and crispy. Once you try making an air fryer roast chicken, you may never go back to oven-roasted chicken again.
If you've never tried air frying a whole chicken, you're going to love how easy it is. The hot circulating air cooks the chicken evenly, keeps the meat tender, and makes the skin beautifully crisp.
Once you try this whole chicken in the air fryer, you may never go back to roasting chicken in the oven again.
For even more high-protein chicken recipes, be sure to check out my master list of keto chicken recipes or my crispy chicken thighs.
Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
I have made a lot of recipes in my air fryer, but this air fryer roast chicken is one of my absolute favorites.
The chicken turns out perfectly tender and juicy — even the white meat — with golden crispy skin. My family gives it rave reviews every time I make it.
Many people assume you can only cook chicken pieces in the air fryer, but you can absolutely cook a whole chicken in the air fryer. The only thing that matters is the size of your air fryer and the size of your chicken.
I actually prefer making air fryer whole chicken over traditional oven roasted chicken because the flavor and texture are closer to a rotisserie chicken.
Some people serve this air fryer roast chicken with roasted potatoes for a classic dinner. I often shred the meat and use it on salads for an easy low carb and keto friendly meal.
Air fryer whole chicken recipe ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients so your air fryer whole chicken recipe turns out perfectly every time. For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
Whole Chicken
5–6 pound whole chicken, giblets removed
My chicken was about 5.5 pounds and fit perfectly in my 8-quart air fryer. I have also used a 6-quart air fryer, which fits a 5-pound chicken nicely.
If your air fryer is smaller, you still have options:
- Remove the air fryer grate if possible to create extra room
- Look for a smaller 4-pound chicken
- Organic chickens are often smaller
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
This seasoning mixture creates crispy, flavorful skin similar to rotisserie chicken.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
This section shows how to make a whole chicken in the air fryer step-by-step. The full printable recipe is in the recipe card below.
There are only a few steps, but I use a couple of tricks that ensure the chicken stays juicy while still getting crispy skin.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels and tuck the wings underneath the bird.
- In a small bowl, combine the oil and spices to create a seasoning paste. Brush half of the seasoning mixture over the breast side of the chicken.
Step 2: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer
Lift the chicken by the legs and place it breast side down in the air fryer basket. Brush the remaining seasoning mixture over the rest of the chicken.
Tip: If your air fryer allows, remove the grate from the bottom of the basket. As the chicken cooks, it releases juices that help keep the meat incredibly moist.
Step 3: Air Fry the Whole Chicken
Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 50 minutes breast side down.
Flip the chicken and cook 10 more minutes until the skin becomes golden and crispy.
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before carving.
You will not believe how juicy and flavorful this air fryer whole chicken is. It really is one of the easiest ways to cook a perfect roast chicken.
Is an air fryer big enough for a whole chicken?
Whether you can cook a whole chicken in the air fryer depends on the size of both the air fryer and the chicken.
Most store-bought chickens are 5–6 pounds, though organic chickens are often closer to 4 pounds.
As a general guideline:
- 5–6 quart air fryer: fits about a 5-pound chicken
- 7–8 quart air fryer: fits a 5–6 pound chicken comfortably
Some ovens now include an air fryer setting (convection). In those ovens you can easily cook a larger air fryer roast chicken.
What to do with leftover roast chicken?
Leftover air fryer whole chicken is perfect for meal prep.
- 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 Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Bacon
This air fryer whole chicken recipe remains one of my most popular — right alongside my air fryer chicken thighs!
Juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken with Crispy Skin
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
Method
- 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.
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.