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
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Tip: Hitting your 20–30g protein per meal goal helps you stay full and supports muscle.
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.
Kim Fewer says
This was one of the best recipes I’ve ever made! How simple yet so delicious.
Kelly says
AMAZING!!! I've made tons of chicken over the years using many different cooking methods. This was hands down the MOST moist chicken I've EVER made (or even had), while having a perfectly crispy skin as well!
I should note-my air fryer is only a 5.3 quart, and the chicken was 6lbs. It still fit in the basket though, and I just increased the cook time accordingly to make sure it reached the proper internal temp. Despite those differences, it still came out juicy and delicious. I'm sure that's likely thanks to your tip about putting it breast side down the first 50 min. Definitely gonna make this one again! ?
Betti B says
Fabulous! This was the first thing I made and it was fabulous. I turned it over after half hour and basted top with remaining seasoning. The smell was unreal. The skin crunchy and the inside moist
Rick M says
You chose a great variety of herbs & spices. I’ve had a passion for cooking since I was in the 3rd grade. I have to say I would have not picked your herb/spice with oil seasoning, but it totally rocks! How can you beat yummy crispy chicken skin with juicy meat?...even the breast meat.
I save the carcass to make chicken stock. With my homemade noodles, chicken stock and leftover meat from this chicken. Mother said chicken soup will always help you feel better, but this is so good I believe it would cure COVID! (JUST kidding!)
I had a BIG Costco whole chicken (5.1 lbs.) so I could not use my airfryer’s roasting rack. I just laid it face down on the bottom of my 6-qt Gourmia. I wonder if you used a rack or not. I can’t help but to believe it would make for the best version of this recipe. (Simply to allow the hot air to circulate around the entire chicken)
THANKS!
Debbie P says
Ok...I'm writing this review while it cooks and will finish after it is served. It looks amazing and with the 5 star rating, how can I go wrong?
I buttered under the skin as a few others mentioned.
I never measure yet always come close. The mixture of spices has a wonderful smokey aroma. Now we wait....
Outstanding flavor and crispy skin.
My only error (mine and not the recipe) was at the suggested time, the chicken temped at 148 degrees. I kept cooking it for 10 more minutes...my bad, it temped 177. I know better. I let it sit as I normally do with all meat and when I went to cut it it was in the 180's....overdone ;-( Delicious yet knew it could have been better....due to my error!
Bottom line, if it doesn't temp at 165 after 50+10 minutes, I suggest cooking it for another 3+4minutes then let it rest for 5 min before temping. I will be doing this with the next chicken.
Spice mixture is perfect
Thank you for this recipe!!
Michelle Cruz says
Love this recipe!
I did take it down to 2 tsp salt and I just used the olive oil I had on hand. Tasted great and was easy to do. Will be making it for the 3rd time in 3 weeks.
GreensGal44 says
Soooo goood!!! A family favorite -now on a regular rotation in my house! Crispy skin moist chicken and super flavorful.
Its so easy!! Thank you for this recipe!!
Linda Harootyan says
This was absolutely fabulous and very easy. My family loved it.
Karen O'Neil says
Hands down, best chicken recipe ever!!!! Just the right amount of seasoning and the meat is incredibly juicy. My teenage son stood up from the kitchen table after having a few bites of the chicken and shook my hand. He is tough to impress. This will be a regular once a week meal for my family. Super easy, super fast, super delicious, and healthy! Thank you Jennifer!
C Skaggs says
This is the best chicken. So delicious and moist. Thank you for the great recipe.
Ronald Crawford says
You’re right. The chicken is delicious ?
Victoria C says
Absolutely delicious! Crispy skin and juicy meat... even the white meat! Definitely a recipe I’ll share with friends and pin on Pinterest.
Diane Locke says
So juicy and flavourful! I will definitely make this again!
Genna says
Best chicken I have ever eaten. I did add garlic, onion, lemon, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme to the cavity. Then butter under the skin on the breasts. Hands down the best bird I have ever eaten/cooked. Boyfriend says I never need to make it different ever again. I even used the dripping to make a gravy for the chicken. I’m also using the carcass to make stock, still stuffed with everything, and the leftover gravy. This method of preparing a chicken (4.8 lb) was amazing. Thank you so much!
Adiba Saleem says
This was amazing, skin tasty and crispy, the meat tender and juicy. Just amazing!!!
Bob says
This recipe is everything and more as advertised. Juicy and very tasty with a crispy skin that is so good. I just followed the directions and it turned out perfect
Casey says
The only change I would make is to add the rub after I turned the chicken breast side up (and turn it earlier). It was done perfectly and juicy.
BirdMom says
Delicious! I made this with a Butcher Box whole chicken. Not much left since my 2 college students are home on break. I will definitely make this again.
RRSBC says
FAMILY APPROVED! Thank you so much for this! I did exactly what was in the instructions and the ingredients and I also added in the butter under the skin. Whole family loved it! Bless you and your recipes always!
Jill says
Amazing. I have never had a moister chicken. A keeper.
Karen Roberts says
Made this recipe for dinner tonight....SO good. I added a bit of onion powder and a bit of poultry seasoning to the original recipe and my husband said it was perfect! We used olive oil also.
Simon Pollock says
Just made this! Never tried a roast chicken in an Air Fryer before... it was so good! The kids were around the cutting board trying to grab more afterwards - Thanks.
GLKing says
This was AMAZING!!!
Family loved it!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
tom wang says
Added a new twist and buttermilk brined overnight (with a bit of salt). This took this great recipe to an even next level. Thank you!
Deana Adams says
Chicken was amazing
Patrice Clark says
Made this today for Thanksgiving! A few different spices and such for my dry rub but followed your instructions exactly! Also took the renderings and made an excellent gravy. Thank you so much!!
FingaFoods says
This came out PERFECTLY! Thank you!! Only difference I did was put butter under the skin like I saw in a comment here, otherwise it was amazing! Used: Ninja Foodi Grill/Air Fryer with a 4.5 lb chicken
Shauna says
This was fantastic! The seasoning was perfect and the chicken came out juicy with a beautifully crispy skin.
Anne McNeill says
We tried this recipe tonight. It was awesome.thanks
MYRNA BENDEROFF says
This is the greatest. I do it this way or sometimes i spatchcock the chicien and good too. I spice it like you say , or just add chicken spice from a shaker. It is the best. Thanks
Sandra Maier says
This recipe created the best rotisserie style chicken I've ever had! I used a 6 lb chicken and used olive oil because I didn't have avocado oil and the results were amazing. My whole family was impressed!
Gillian Keogh says
Is the cooking time different if you stuff the chicken? Just got an air fryer and can't wait to do this recipe but we also love stuffing too!
jenniferbanz says
Definitely. Stuffing a whole chicken requires the internal stuffing to come up to 165F as well.
Warren Pascual says
Can I use Spanish Sweet Paprika instead?
jenniferbanz says
Sure!
Terri says
YUMMY!! By far the best juiciest air fried whole chicken I've made in my Ninja Foodi. I did cut down on the salt, used canola oil instead of avacodo, and I put a bit of butter under the skin. So tasty!
ST says
The only thing I changed was canola in place of avocado oil. This was so good!!
For a 4# chicken I started with 40min, flipped chicken and added 10 more min.
Thanks for the recipe!
Betty Steffler says
OMG this chicken was so good thank you for sharing your right easier dinner. love my airfryer
Lauren J says
This chicken was EVERYTHING! My first time air frying a whole chicken and I can’t see myself doing it any other way from now on. My husband loved it. It was seasoned great, juicy, and the skin was so crispy and delicious. After I flipped it for the last 10 mins, I did have to put it back in for another 5 mins bc the meat was still a little pink between the leg and thigh. But it came out great! Will definitely share this recipe
Michelle says
How many Watts should I choose to cook this in my air fryer? Mine shows options of 900W, 1500W and 1800W. Thanks!
jenniferbanz says
I use 1800
Kyrie says
I haven't tried the spices yet but I adapted the recipe to:
Salt generously with pink sea salt from Costco under skin of chicken and put in fridge over night
Pat down moisture
one stick of softened salted kerry gold butter and 1/8 cup chopped fresh sage mixed and put under the skin
Followed cooking directions and mmmm delish
Marilyn C Daley says
This is my first time making a whole chicken in the air fryer. It was fabulous! So easy, simple. Juicy!
Andrea russell says
It came out beautiful! Thank you so much for your recipe. Family and myself loved it. Will make this more iften!