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.
Bea says
Made this today and absolutely loved it. Lots of flavour and will certainly do it again rather than use my oven.
Thank you for sharing this fab receipe
Debbie Brown says
Just made this, Love it!! Delicious!! Even my picky daughter loved it. And that’s saying a lot. Thanks for the recipe. Debbie B.
Margo S Rader says
This recipe is easy, simple and delicious. The first time I made it turned out perfect. Thank you!
Danielle says
my entire family loved this meal eps my super picky Eatters at home which is a blessing when you need a wholesome meal and fast! thank you for sharing your tips and trick will be checking out your other recipes too.
leenie says
my husband loved it especially that nice crispy skin . i can get three meals from one chicken. chicken, chicken soup and chicken salad. thanks so much.
Shannon says
This is sooooo good! I would often pick up rotisserie chicken at stores but didnt like the preservatives they add. Now I make my own and sometimes chop up the meat and freeze it to use later
K S says
I messed up and accidentally set my air fryer oven to 350 instead of 360 and didn't realize until the last 20 minutes of cooking. I corrected the temperature and added an extra 10 minutes fearing the worst but the chicken still came out heavenly! Juices were pouring out of it as we sliced it! And it's so insanely easy! The only hard part was cleaning the trays after. This is going to be a new regular recipe in my household, thank you so much for sharing it along with the tricks to making that chicken so crispy on the outside and still tender on the inside.
Mika Hinson says
This is my family’s new favorite meal. So moist and flavorful! I added butter under the skin and it’s super crispy! Perfect chicken.
A. Thompson says
Hi Jennifer, I followed your recipe to a T. It came out so moist and brown. I used my air fryer for the first time (just purchased a day or so ago). I used the air fry method. Thanks for this recipe. It was very easy to put together.????????????
Lorie Dickerson says
This is the best chicken I have ever cooked in my life. And my picky children love it! I can't get over how flavorful it is. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Michelle says
This recipe is delicious. Family favorite. I’ve been using the rotisserie option on my air fryer not realizing your recipe calls for air frying it. It still came out so juicy. I have to try it air fried next time
Dee says
THIS ^^ turned out amazing!!! Life changing. That is all.
Annette Prideaux says
Made this chicken omg fantastic yummo
Esther says
This recipe is truly amazing! The spices are perfect! I will definitely make it again.
Kaeli says
I make this chicken all the time! My boyfriend loves it (he’s really picky about his chicken consumption!).
Whenever I make this recipe, I usually double the seasoning paste because it’s just so stinking good!
Also, if you want to make some roasted veggies, roast them in the oven on 400 for as long as your chicken is cooking. After, you can totally toss them in your air fryer after your chicken is done (I would let it rest) and let them cook for 5-10 more min. They soak up all the chicken flavor and it is SO good.
Thanks for this amazing recipe! I love it so much and refuse to pay 10.00 for a Safeway chicken now!
Karen says
This is a great recipe! The seasoned “paste” worked great! It didn’t fall off and rubbed in easily! The recipe does not say to pre heat your air fryer but I did and the timing was right on! Definitely one to do again and no heat in the kitchen! 5 stars for me
Ashley says
Are you using the air fryer mode or roasting?
jenniferbanz says
Air fry
Jim Yost says
Hi Jennifer,
I followed your recipe to the T and it made the best tasting roasted chicken I've ever made, and I've been doing roasted chicken recipes for a long time, over thirty years I'd say. The only slight downside to it was that it wasn't as done in the inside as I would've liked. I like to roast the chicken until the wings turn loose from the abdomen. This time the legs came right off, but I had to fight with the wings to get them to come off. Next time I'm going to let it roast an additional ten minutes.
The air fryer I have probably isn't as good as the one you have (the one I have is made by Faberware) so that might explain why it didn't do as well as yours does.
Anyway, I wanted to post this comment to thank you very much for posting the recipe.
Your friend,
Jim Yost
Karen says
Made this for supper tonight, it was so good! Crispy on the outside, juicy inside and the seasonings were perfect! Will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing
Donna says
This was a very good recipe I loved it I will never buy another store bought rotisserie chicken I did however use my own spices I did use the avocado oil but it turned out amazing thank you for your recipe
Michelle Roberts says
Making this tonight. Can't wait to taste it. If it looks like your picture, it will be
delicious!
Mesha says
Thanks so much for sharing. I wasn’t sure about air frying a whole chicken until I saw this. <3
Roseann Meyers says
Made this tonight. Excellent!!
John says
This must be the 4th time I followed this recipe. It was as delicious as the 1st time. Everyone complimented on how juicey it was.
Sandra Poirier says
Delicious! Great taste and SO juicy! I'll make it again for sure 🙂
Sharon says
Loved it!
John says
Wish people wouldn't try to share their extras. I find your recipes awesome. I wouldn't insult you by asking people to try what I think. Thanks for excellent meals
Mona S Wachsler says
No insult intended, I always brine my chickens no matter what recipe I follow.
Mona W. says
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!! I followed exactly other than I brined my 4.5 or so lb chicken in 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup table salt, dissolved in 2 quarts of water for 1 hour. (pat dry inside and out) and then proceeded with your recipe minus all the salt. (I used about a half tsp of kosher since I brined) The chicken was Bell & Evans from Whole Foods. (I splurged) It was mind-blowingly delicious and gorgeous to look at! Wish I could post a photo here 🙂
Dena Adden says
We love this recipe. My hubby requests it. I bought a cooked chicken at the store and he said " You make this better at home". Thanks!
Lisa says
Simply the best by far..thank you
santhathi says
love the recipe
Dani says
I’ve made this twice in the past two weeks! By far the best air fryer chicken recipe I’ve found! Thank you for sharing!!
Elvira says
It was delicious!!
Jacki says
I love this recipe. So easy and I do not change a thing. It’s a crispy, rotisserie chicken. I just wish I could flip it easier.
AirFryerTryer says
Flip it by inserting tongs into the cavity, then flipping in a tail over head manner. It is much easier than side to side.
Jenny Chavez says
It was delicious. Easy dinner for the family. Thanks
Jay Ar says
This is my first time making it in an air fryer. This recipe was super easy to make and delicious. I paired it with steamed brussel sprout with carrots and it was a big hit. Perfect for a busy family who's on the go. Thank you Jennifer for the thorough step by step instructions.
Becky says
Delicious! Please don't be afraid to season your chicken. I brined the chicken with herbs, lemon, salt, and pepper, then patted the chicken dry and seasoned it with garlic salt and paprika. That's it! So good!
Danielle Brooks says
Made this last night and Oh.My.Gosh. So delicious!! Our air fryer doesn't set to 360, so I did 350. Took about 1:10 on one side and another ~25 on the other. But it came out perfect. The skin was so crispy and delicious my husband just kept eating it as he was slicing. I will be making this again for sure!!
Julie Elliot says
Perfect! The only thing I do differently is use coarse kosher salt as a dry brine for 24 hours uncovered in the fridge. Then I make the rub without the salt. Phenomenal!
Erin says
Thank you. My go to!