An easy air fryer whole chicken recipe which produces succulent, juicy chicken and crispy chicken skin in under one hour! You might also like my air fryer turkey crown.
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There's nothing more comforting than roast chicken, especially when you can cook it under one hour in your air fryer!
This easy air fryer roast chicken recipe is perfect with air fryer roast potatoes (cook the chicken first and let it rest, whilst you air fry your roasties), carrot and swede mash, Tenderstem broccoli, and cauliflower cheese, for a delicious roast dinner!
👩🍳 Love air fryer chicken recipes? Try my easy air fryer chicken breasts (you can also air fry chicken legs in the same way!).
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Tastes just like rotisserie-style chicken.
- A 1.5kg whole chicken (3.5 lb chicken) cooks in under one hour.
- Frees up oven space when you're cooking a roast dinner.
- Flavour the chicken with pantry staples.
"Followed your recipe and method to the letter but without the pimentón and garlic granules. The result was perfect together with your roast potatoes recipe - a success. Used my newly acquired Ninja Foodi Dual AF400UK." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GC
🛒 Ingredients
Whole Chicken - a 1.5kg free-range whole chicken will cook in an air fryer in under 1 hour. If you use a smaller chicken, reduce the cooking time accordingly. Make sure the chicken fits into your air fryer basket!
Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon is all you need.
Flavourings - a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt produces a wonderfully flavoured and golden chicken.
🔪 How long to cook a 1.5kg chicken in air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Mix the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt together in small bowl. Use a pastry brush to paste it onto the chicken. Do the breast side first, then place it in the air fryer breast side down and brush the rest of the rub over the bottom of the bird.
Two: Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes then flip over (using two forks or tongs) and cook for a further 20-25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 75° (165F).
Top Tips
- Make sure your chicken is dry before applying the rub. Use paper towels to mop up any moisture but in the UK there is no need to wash the chicken before cooking it.
- Place the chicken, breast side down in the air fryer to start with. This will help the juices keep the drier breast part of the chicken juicier as it cooks.
- Let the chicken rest for 20 minutes before carving, to allow the juices to run back into the meat. I cover it in a layer of foil to keep as much heat in as possible.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve with roast potatoes, sausage meat stuffing, and vegetables for a classic roast dinner.
In the summer months I like to serve it with parmentier potatoes and a beetroot and goats cheese salad.
Leftover chicken can be stirred into boursin pasta, cheesy pasta, or chicken fried rice for an easy weeknight dinner. Serve with a side of green vegetables such as green beans, air fryer broccoli or air fryer roasted asparagus.
You can also use leftover roast chicken to make my easy leftover chicken tacos or leftover chicken curry.
📖 Variations
- Use Cajun or Italian seasoning for the rub. Onion Powder is also good.
- If you don't mind the calories, rub the chicken with garlic butter before air frying!
- Like things hot? Add a teaspoon of chilli powder to the rub.
- Swap the olive oil for avocado oil.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a nice colour contrast.
- Try spicy harissa whole roast chicken in the air fryer.
🥡 Storage
Store - The cooked meat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze - Place the cooked chicken in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost fully in the fridge before using.
❓ FAQs
Cooking time varies between 45-60 mins depending on the size of the chicken. My 1.5kg (3.5lb) whole chicken took 50 minutes, but I recommend to start checking the internal temperature after 45 minutes.
The temperature recommendation for cooking the air fryer rotisserie chicken is 180c / 350F, but check your air fryer handbook for your manufacturers guidance. The internal temperature must have reached 75°C/ 165°F.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer so lining it with foil can constrict the airflow resulting in undercooked food. Foil won't cause sparks though like it does in a microwave!
😋 More easy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Air Fryer Sausages
- Air Fryer Honey Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata
- Air Fryer Tuna Burgers
- Air Fryer Stuffing Balls
- Air Fryer French Toast
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Check out all my easy air fryer recipes for more inspiration!
You might also like my easy slow cooker whole chicken or oven-roasted honey glazed gammon recipes.
Tried it? Let me know what you think and rate it ⭐️ below. Tag me @effortlessf00d-I'd love to see! Don't forget to subscribe for more recipes.
Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Whole Chicken
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180℃ (350℉).
- Mix the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt together in small bowl. Use a pastry brush to paste it onto the chicken. Do the breast side first, then place it in the air fryer breast side down and brush the rest of the rub over the bottom of the bird.1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Sea Salt, 1.5 kg Whole Chicken
- Air fry for 30 minutes then flip over (using two forks or tongs) and cook for a further 20-25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 75°C (165°F).
- Rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Make sure your chicken is dry before applying the rub. Use paper towels to mop up any moisture but in the UK there is no need to wash the chicken before cooking it.
- Place the chicken, breast side down in the air fryer to start with. This will help the juices keep the drier breast part of the chicken juicier as it cooks.
- Let the chicken rest for 20 minutes before carving, to allow the juices to run back into the meat. I cover it in a layer of foil to keep as much heat in as possible.
- Use Cajun or Italian seasoning for the rub. Onion Powder is also good!
- If you don't mind the calories, rub the chicken with garlic butter before air frying!
- Like things hot? Add a teaspoon of chilli powder to the rub.
- Swap the olive oil for avocado oil.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a nice colour contrast.
GC says
Followed your recipe and method to the letter but without the pimentón and garlic granules. The result was perfect together with your roast potatoes recipe - a success. Used my newly acquired Ninja Foodi Dual AF400UK. I don’t mean to advertise, just to let others know that the recipes lend themselves to the model.
Liz Sanders says
Can I cook the chicken on foil, I like to use the juices for the gravy.
Beth Sachs says
Hi Liz. Yes, foil is fine to use in an air fryer.
Beth says
The chicken turns out so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. This my new go-to way to cook chicken.
Emily Flint says
This recipe was so easy and delicious, I may never turn my oven on again, LOL.
Jamie says
I love how fast and simple this recipe is! The chicken came out perfectly cooked!
Angela says
I love this recipe. So simple but so much flavor. The air fryer is such a great tool to get dinner on the table quickly.