This air fryer whole chicken tastes like a rotisserie chicken but requires only a fraction of the effort! With just 3 ingredients and an hour, you’ll have a balanced and nourishing meal on the table. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners and meal prep.
You won’t believe how versatile this air fryer whole chicken recipe is! Whether you’re looking to serve it as a main dish, shred it for chicken salad and air fryer quesadillas, or slice it for sandwiches, the possibilities are endless.
Why I Love This Recipe
This air fryer whole chicken recipe is a staple in my kitchen. Since I’m all about simple, fuss-free meals, I prefer to leave the trussing and extra ingredients for someone else. This recipe is basic but absolutely delicious.
The olive oil and poultry seasoning add just the right amount of flavor, resulting in a juicy interior and a perfectly crispy skin. Plus, the air fryer makes preparation even easier yet delivers a gourmet taste. I’m always surprised at how well this recipe turns out!
Ingredient Notes
With so few ingredients required, you can make this air fryer whole chicken recipe any night of the week. Here’s a full breakdown of everything you’ll need:
- Whole fryer chicken: Fryer chickens are small, tender, and have a relatively high amount of moisture, making them ideal for air frying. If you’re unsure, ask the butcher at the deli counter to point you in the right direction.
- Olive oil: Helps crisp the skin and adhere the seasonings to the chicken.
- Poultry seasoning: Use store-bought or homemade. I use a store-bought blend of garlic, onion, sweet chili pepper, oregano, rosemary and basil.
Substitutions
- Oil: If you don’t have any olive oil, use avocado, vegetable, or canola oil.
- Poultry Seasoning: If you don’t have a premade poultry seasoning, you can create your own blend using dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage, and marjoram. You can also use whatever spices you like to fit the cuisine, like taco seasoning, Greek seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.
How to Make an Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
This air fryer whole chicken recipe requires little hands-on effort, and my step-by-step instructions make it virtually foolproof. Make sure to read all my tips and tricks for the best results!
Preparation
If you have a frozen whole fryer chicken, make sure it’s completely thawed so it cooks evenly. Remove any giblets from the cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and the skin to crisp up.
Cooking
Step 1
Drizzle olive oil over the whole chicken, rubbing it in to coat it evenly. Then, season the chicken with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to rub the seasoning all over the chicken, including under the skin, for deeper flavor infusion.
Step 2
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, spray the basket with cooking spray and place the chicken breast side down in it. Starting the chicken breast-side down helps render the fat more effectively.
Step 3
Cook it for 30 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken to the breast-side up and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes. Use a pair of sturdy tongs and kitchen gloves to protect your hands when flipping the chicken.
Step 4
Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest part without touching the bone. Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tip
Don’t let your air fryer whole chicken go to waste by serving it too quickly! The resting period gives the juices time to redistribute, giving you much juicer and more flavorful chicken pieces.
Also, I can’t stress the importance of letting your chicken thaw completely and come to room temperature. If you cook it from frozen or half-frozen, it will cook unevenly, resulting in overcooked and undercooked places.
Cooking Tips
Dry Thoroughly: Pat the chicken dry, inside and out, to help achieve crispy skin. You don’t want any moisture (or as little as possible) on your fryer chicken.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer for the best results. Most modern air fryers have a ‘preheat’ setting that takes about 3-5 minutes.
Use Cooking Spray: I highly recommend spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking as it cooks.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer whole chicken works well with a wide range of sides. Pair it with a light, refreshing salad, like mixed greens with vinaigrette or my Caprese salad recipe.
For something heartier, try roasted oven roasted baby carrots, herb roasted potatoes, or air fryer frozen broccoli. For a more comforting option, shred it and add it to crustless chicken pot pie. There are too many options to list!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To check the temperature correctly, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone.
What if my air fryer isn’t big enough for a whole chicken?
For smaller air fryers, consider cooking chicken pieces or a smaller bird. The main thing is to not overcrowd the basket to allow hot air to circulate freely.
How can I make the skin extra crispy?
Make sure the chicken is completely dry, and lightly coat it with oil for crispier skin. Turning the heat up slightly during the last few minutes can also help.
Storing & Reheating
Leftover air fryer whole chicken is just as delicious the next day! Just let it cool to room temperature before storing it.
Fridge
Place it in an airtight container, or tightly wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will last for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer
Freezing cooked chicken is another great option! Cut it into smaller pieces, wrap them tightly, and store them in freezer-safe bags or containers. The pieces can be frozen for up to 4 months.
Reheating
To reheat, place the chicken in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes until warmed through. For the best results, let the chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating it.
More Main Dishes
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ½ – 4 pound whole fryer chicken these are on the smaller side compared to a roaster chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning your choice
- salt and pepper to taste Check to see if your seasoning blend already contains salt to avoid over-salting the chicken.
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Check the cavity of the chicken and remove the giblet back and neck if included. Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken in a large bowl or rimmed container for easy clean up.
- Drizzle both sides of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with the poultry seasoning. You may need more or less than the recipe calls for. Use your best judgment, making sure the chicken is well-seasoned.
- Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. When preheated, spray the basket with cooking spray and place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 30 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for 20-30 minutes more, or until an instant read thermometer reads 165°F.
- Remove from the air fryer and rest 10 minutes before carving.
