Make an air fryer whole chicken with this easy method!

Faster, easier, and fresher than a store-bought rotisserie chicken, whole chicken in the air fryer will be your new favorite way to get tender chicken with crispy, seasoned skin every time!

air fryer whole chicken on a plate

Amazing Air Fryer Whole Chicken

  • The air fryer makes it easy by cooking a whole bird in less time and with minimal cleanup!
  • This recipe is perfect for home cooks that are new to air fryers and will find this roasted chicken recipe is just as easy as it is elegant to serve!
  • It’s a budget-friendly way to have chicken on hand for meal prep like sandwiches, soups, salads, and wraps all week long!
air fryer whole chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients and Variations

Chicken – Refer to your Ninja, NuWave, Corsori, or other air fryer models to determine the right size chicken to use, times, and cooking powers. Most models use a 2–4 pound bird. They should be clean with intact skins and the neck and giblets removed. Frozen chicken can be used by simply adding a few minutes to the cooking time.

Oil – We used olive oil but any oil will work, try using leftover bacon grease for a smoky flavor!

Seasoning – This DIY poultry seasoning can be tailored to suit your preferences and used for other applications like in dips and sprinkled over roasted vegetables.

olive oil, chicken seasoning, and a whole chicken to make air fryer whole chicken

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

  1. Rub the chicken with oil and seasonings.
  2. Tuck wings under the chicken and roast breast side down (as per recipe instructions below).
  3. Flip chicken over and cook until a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest place away from the bones, in one of the breast sections.
  4. Remove and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

PRO TIP: For best results, always preheat the air fryer before using it.

raw chicken in an air fryer for air fryer whole chicken

Leftover Chicken?

Use air fryer chicken in an instant for chicken cordon bleu casserole, chicken fajitas, and in a tasty chicken vegetable stir fry.

Keep leftover air fryer whole chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze portions in zippered bags (preferably with the meat removed from the carcass) for up to 1 month.

More Juicy Chicken Recipes

air fryer whole chicken on a plate
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken

With the help of an air fryer, this whole chicken becomes effortlessly juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4
Author I Don’t Have Time For That

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 3 ½ pound whole chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • chicken seasoning

Instructions 

  • Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry.
  • Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning. Rub to coat the chicken.
  • Place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket. Turn the air fryer on to 350°F.
  • Cook for 30 minutes, flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F.
  • Remove from the air fryer and rest 10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and in the freezer for 1 month. 
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 441kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 360mg | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American

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