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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    Published: Jan 27, 2022 · Modified: Nov 18, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Air Fryer Whole Chicken Pin.

    An easy air fryer whole chicken recipe which produces succulent juicy chicken and crispy chicken skin in under one hour! The whole family are going to love this!

    Learn tips and tricks to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer with these simple step-by-step instructions! You might also like my air fryer turkey crown.

    Air fryer whole chicken with lemon.
    Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    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 thighs in the same way!).

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • What is an air fryer?
    • 🔪 How to cook a whole chicken in air fryer
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋 More easy air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    Here's why this is the best air fryer roast chicken recipe!

    • Taste's just like rotisserie-style chicken.
    • A 1.5kg whole chicken (3.5 lb chicken) cooks in under one hour.
    • Free up oven space when you're cooking a roast dinner.
    • Healthier than oven-roast chicken.
    • Low carb.
    • Flavour the chicken with pantry staples.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients for air fryer whole chicken.
    • 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.

    What is an air fryer?

    Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.

    The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi MAX PRO Health Grill, Flat Plate and Air Fryer with 7 customisable cooking functions including grill, flat plate, air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate! It also comes with a digital cooking probe that precisely monitors your food’s temperature as it cooks.

    If you don't have this model, a meat themometer is also useful to test if the internal temperature of the meat or poultry you are cooking has reached the required 'safe' temperature

    A whole chicken roasted in an air fryer.

    🔪 How to cook a whole chicken in air fryer

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    Learn how to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer in 2 easy steps!

    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 180c (350F) 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 76c (165F).

    Step by step photo instructions for cooking a whole chicken in air fryer.

    💭 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 the rotisserie style air fryer whole chicken with roast potatoes, sausage meat stuffing, and vegetables for a classic roast dinner!

    In the summer 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!

    📖 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.
    Air fryer whole chicken rotisserie style.

    🥡 Storage

    • To Store: The cooked meat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Freeze: Place the cooked chicken in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost fully in the fridge before using.

    ❓ FAQs

    How long does it take to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer?

    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.

    What temperature to air fry a whole chicken?

    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 76c/ 165F.

    Can you put foil in an air fryer?

    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!

    Air fryer whole chicken rotisserie style.

    😋 More easy air fryer recipes

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
    • 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 my easy air fryer recipes for more inspiration!

    You might also like my easy slow cooker whole chicken or oven-roasted honey glazed gammon recipe!

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer whole chicken with herbs and lemon.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    An easy air fryer whole chicken recipe which produces succulent juicy chicken and crispy chicken skin in under one hour! The whole family are going to love this!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fryer rotisserie style chicken, air fryer whole chicken
    Prep Time 3 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 280kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Pastry Brush
    • Meat Thermometer

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 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.
    • 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 at 180c (350F) 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 76c (165F).
    • Rest for 20 minutes before carving.

    Notes

    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.
     
    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.
     
    Storage:
    • To Store: The cooked meat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Freeze: Place the cooked chicken in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost fully in the fridge before using.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    280
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    20
    g
    31
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    38
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    90
    mg
    30
    %
    Sodium
     
    278
    mg
    12
    %
    Potassium
     
    237
    mg
    7
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    1
    g
    0
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    22
    g
    44
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    332
    IU
    7
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    14
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe
    • Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    • Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela

      January 28, 2022 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    2. Jamie

      January 28, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love how fast and simple this recipe is! The chicken came out perfectly cooked!

      Reply
    3. Emily Flint

      January 28, 2022 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was so easy and delicious, I may never turn my oven on again, LOL.

      Reply
    4. Beth

      January 28, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      The chicken turns out so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. This my new go-to way to cook chicken.

      Reply
    5. Liz Sanders

      December 07, 2022 at 11:11 am

      Can I cook the chicken on foil, I like to use the juices for the gravy.

      Reply
      • Beth Sachs

        December 07, 2022 at 11:38 am

        Hi Liz. Yes, foil is fine to use in an air fryer.

        Reply
    6. GC

      January 15, 2023 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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