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.
Brendan Williams says
I tried your whole chicken recipe and it was great
Gino says
WoW i cook everyday and have recently worked with an air fryer. This chicken was the best bi have made in the last 20 years
Good job…
PE Smith says
Excellent, crispy and juicy. Best recipe ever.
Sara says
I made this last night and it was sooooo good! My family loved it! The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was so juicy! Way better than a rotisserie chicken I usually buy at the grocery store! Thank you!
Jeannie says
This was EXCELLENT!! Thank you! This will be my new go to for Chicken! Super easy and super super good!!
Daphne says
Will there be enough drippings to make a gravy?
jenniferbanz says
There usually is and if not, you could add a little chicken broth
Carrie says
Best rotisserie air fryer recipe...it's my go too! Easily 10 times now!
Bob says
Mine came out looking exactly like your picture. Juicy and delicious!
Madeleine says
Air fried chicken turned out perfectly. Definitely going to be saving this recipe!!! Thank you
Mare says
I was a bit skeptical that this chicken would come out tender and juicy, but it did! Absolutely delicious and far better (and juicer) than anything I’ve ever bought from the store deli. Unfortunately the skin wasn’t crispy and I would have preferred it that way, but perhaps I just needed to cook it longer? (I had a 5.5 lb and cooked it for 52 minutes and 12 minutes respectively.) But even without the crispy skin, this is still a keeper!
Tricia says
I have a NINJA air fryer that has a MAX CRISP feature. If the skin doesn't look crisp enough, I will cook it on MAS CRISP for 2-3 minutes.
Jamie Rogers says
This came out PERFECT!!
Dominique says
First time roasting a full chicken and it couldn’t be easier with an air fryer! Like some comments, I found the 1 TBSP to be too much salt but otherwise the chicken was perfect. My husband, my toddler and I devoured a 3.5 lb chicken (I did 40 and 10 mins) for dinner and I’m repeating this recipe tonight with a 5 lb chicken and a little less salt 🙂
Allan Walton says
Always a bit wary using new tech in the kitchen but your recipe for the roast chicken was vso simple and easy. Do you have or know a airfryer recipe book with illustrations for us beginners in UK?
Thank-you
Allan
Barbara says
Super simple and very moist. Will be my go too recipe to make delicious shredded chicken.
Annaliza says
Absolutely delicious ???? thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
Dana Mazerolle says
Beautiful chicken !! My goodness never will I cook it any different ever again. So tender and juicy and every one of my 4 family members loved it! Which is saying a lot considering I have a very picky eater on my hands ! Thank you
Kara says
Can you use olive oil or a different oil instead of avocado oil?
jenniferbanz says
yes
vanessa says
WHAT!!!!! I seasoned using Emeril southwest seasoning because I am shredding for tacos. It was so delicious I followed your cooking instructions using avocado oil with spices and rubbed it on. I put 55 min down and 11 up cus it was slightly bigger. this technique made it so good it doesn't matter what seasoning used.
Thanks for awesome recipe!!
SHARON says
This was great! I had a 5.5lb chicken so I cooked it 55 mins breast side down and then another 20 minutes or so flipped over (used my thermometer to get the inside temp to 165). I only used seasoned salt and pepper on my chicken and it was crispy and yummy and amazing!
Shari says
Do you cook the chicken on air fry or on roast
jenniferbanz says
Air fry
L Webster says
The absolute best chicken I’ve had in ages, the whole chicken was moist and favorable. I will definitely make again, can’t wait
Shari says
Hi I was wondering do I use the crisper tray to set chicken on or do I put it right in the basket?
jenniferbanz says
I would use the tray
Josie says
Did exactly what the recipe called for, and I will definitely always be cooking my chicken this way! 10/10 would recommend
Sue says
The juiciest meat and crispiest skin I’ve ever had on a roaster chicken. I don’t think I’ll cook a whole chicken any other way again.
Tari says
Ummmm, this is ridiculous. BEST, juiciest chicken EVER. So I air fried it face down as directed... (make sure you season the underside too!) and before I went to flip it over, I got to pick at the skin... omg it was so crispy and delicious. Finished cooking it right side up and then had a whole new layer of crispy skin. SO CRAZY GOOD!!
Giles says
Hello, great recipe, however I was a bit puzzled as to why your recipes are still in imperial measures.
I had to Google what a quart, a pound and fahrenheit was.
It is 50 years ago since the world went metric and I am 51 years old!
Elliott Pace says
She's probably in the States, We still use imperial.
Lamb says
Perhaps she's in America??
amanda says
we use imperial measurements in the US!
Audra says
The whole world didn't go metric....
Sue says
Really!?!! The US uses the Imperial system.
Kay says
I’m puzzled! I live in southern USA & we don’t use metric. I remember about we tried to go metric about 30 years ago, but nobody accepted it here and we didn’t ever make the switch. I’m 76.
David says
We're in the US!
Cindy says
Nope….the WORLD didn’t go metric! But you’re reading Americas measurements.
Trying this tonight, it looks great!
Jennifer says
How much grease/juice does it produce? I have the cuisinart air fryer and it has a tray not a deep basket and I'm worried that it will put out to much liquid and have over spill.
jenniferbanz says
You will probably want to have something below to catch the drippings
Kay says
I made this yesterday & it turned out great. There was about 3/8-1/2” mainly fat in the my outer air fryer dip pan from 5.53 lb chicken
Scott says
Dang good recipe, woke up this morning and had the left overs for breakfast. Well deserved 5 ????
Chris says
Not even kidding, this is the best chicken I’ve ever made (and maybe even had). I’ve made it 3x since discovering it and its come out better each time. Highly recommend and if you don’t have an air fryer - buy one for this chicken!
nancy rice says
I have an air fryer called a " Think Kitchen " it's a combination 6 slice toaster / air fryer .Would it be suitable to cook a whole chicken in ?? It looks very much like a toaster oven but doesn't have the deeper basket like the one you use !!
jenniferbanz says
If it fits I don't see why not.
Cindy says
What brand of air fryer do you use for this roast chicken? I am currently researching air fryers and am not sure which one will accommodate a 5 pound chicken. Thank you.
jenniferbanz says
I use a 6 quart Nuwave Brio
Marie says
Make sure you get one with no chemicals in the plastics etc. We have a Cosori.
John says
Can i use rose mary instead of thyme.
jenniferbanz says
Yes
Wanda says
I had some fresh herbs from my little grow light garden so chopped them fine and mixed in with the other spices, some basil, sage and sweet marjoram. This chicken was so delicious! Crispy and then tender!
Margaret says
This is the perfect Roasted Chicken recipe for an air fryer. I spatchcock my bird (it's easy. just Google it) and lay it breast side down and turn over for about 10 min to get extra crispy skin on breast side. It doesn't take nearly as long by spatchcocking. As always, use your thermometer! Thank you Jennifer for another simple delicious dinner!
Melinda says
Still my favorite recipe! My chicken always takes a few more minutes but I have an electric pampered chef thermometer that I use when cooking my meats anyway. This is an easy go to! It is one of the only recipes I don’t have to change anything for…
Melinda says
Still my favorite recipe! My chicken always takes a few more minutes but I have an electric pampered chef thermometer that I use when cooking my meats anyway. This is an easy go to!
Robin says
Oh my gosh - this was so good and so very easy. I can’t believe chicken can be this good! No changes to the recipe, it is perfect as is. ENJOY
karla says
Which setting do you use for this roast, bake or air fryer? thank you 🙂
jenniferbanz says
Air Fry
Marleen says
Just tried this recipe tonight. It is very delicious. The only change will be to use 1 tsp of salt instead of 1 tbsp. Way to salty for us.
Leona says
Same. Way too salty! Otherwise, awesome!
Kim says
Did you use Kosher salt as the recipe called for? It’s less salty than table salt.
Cindy says
Love this recipe! Nice combination of spices, and the chicken cooked in the Air Fryer is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
I will certainly use this recipe again. Thanks!
Ayesha says
Hi. Will the seasoning amount change for a smaller chicken, say about 2 lbs or so? Anything larger will not fit in my air fryer. Really want to try this recipe out!
jenniferbanz says
For that small of a chicken I would cut the seasonings in half
Sue says
Is there something you can use if you don’t have avocado oil?
jenniferbanz says
Any high heat cooking oil will work