This air fryer whole chicken delivers ultra-crispy skin and juicy meat with almost zero cleanup. Skip the grocery store rotisserie chicken and make it yourself at home!
As a busy mom, learning how to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer was a total lifesaver for me. I got hooked on air fryer recipes back in 2018, and chicken quickly became one of my favorite dishes to prepare for my family. I love so many things about this recipe… the chicken comes out absolutely delicious, the prep and cleanup is a breeze, we have protein on hand for meal prepping throughout the week… I could go on and on. If you’re anything like me, you’ll love how effortless this air fryer whole chicken is. Throw the air fryer basket in the dishwasher once you’re done, relax, and dig in!
Air Fry A Whole Chicken Video
How To Air Fry A Whole Chicken
As much as I love a good old fashioned roasted chicken, the air fryer works a special kind of magic in this recipe. In just one hour with four simple steps, you’ll have a perfectly cooked bird.
- Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken very dry and remove the giblets.
- Season the chicken: Rub the oil all over the chicken, then season it evenly with the spice blend.
- Air fry the chicken: Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer and cook at 360°F for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 20-25 minutes.
- Rest and carve the chicken: Allow the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes, then carve it up.
Looking for another whole chicken hack? This spatchcock chicken is ready in a fraction of the time of a regular oven-roasted bird!
Tips From the Kitchen
I’ve cooked so many whole chickens over the years, and I’ve experienced my fair share of mistakes. Here are the top tips I’ve picked up for the juiciest, crispiest, and most hands-off air fryer chicken.
- Choose the right air fryer and chicken. The size of the chicken you buy totally depends on the capacity of your air fryer. I love this tried-and-true air fryer because it’s on the larger side, and I’ve found that a 3½–4 lb chicken fits perfectly inside.
- Remove the rack if needed. If the fit is too tight, feel free to take out the rack inside of the air fryer — as long as the chicken does not directly touch the heating element (*this is a fire hazard!*).
- Pat the chicken dry. For that mouthwatering crackly crunch, make sure the chicken skin is as dry as possible before adding the oil and seasonings.
- Truss the chicken. This is optional, but I usually tie the legs together with kitchen twine so they don’t block the airflow in the fryer.
- Flip the chicken towards the end. Allowing the chicken to cook breast-side up for the last 20-25 minutes of cooking encourages it to cook evenly and achieve crispy skin.
- Check the internal temperature. All air fryers cook at different rates, so I recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the breasts reaches 165°F and the thighs reach 175–180°F. This one is great!
Storage & Reheating
This whole chicken recipe is seriously such a lifesaver for busy weeks. We’re all about meal prep, so we try to get as many different meals out of the chicken as we can!
- Refrigerator: To store for up to four days, refrigerate the leftover chicken meat in an airtight container.
- Freezer: To store for up to three months, freeze the chicken meat in an airtight container. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore the crispy skin. If you’re in a hurry, use the microwave.
Hot tip: Shred the leftover meat with these handy claws and add it to chicken noodle soup, chicken enchiladas, or an Asian chicken salad. Save the carcass for homemade chicken broth!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Quesadillas — Add in your favorite proteins or veggies!
- Air Fryer Scallops — Drizzled with garlic butter and perfect for a date night in
- Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites — Unbelievably juicy, savory, and tender
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges — The most versatile and delicious side dish
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken 3½–4 lbs
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp garlic parsley salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels and remove the giblets. Rub the olive oil all over the chicken.
- Mix the garlic parsley salt, black pepper, and paprika together in a small bowl, then season the chicken evenly, including inside the cavity.
- Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. You may need to remove the rack if the chicken does not fit well.
- Air fry the chicken at 360°F for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken breast-side up.
- Air fry the chicken for another 20–25 minutes, or until the breast reaches 165°F and the thigh reaches 175–180°F. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving. Enjoy!
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