You are going to love this Air fryer whole chicken recipe! It is an easy way to prepare and cook chicken. The meat is so juicy and the skin is so crispy. No oil or butter is added, absolutely delicious!
If you just purchased an air fryer and don't know what to do with it, try this rotisserie-style air fryer whole chicken recipe! This chicken recipe requires minimal preparation yet offers big flavors! It's also low carb and keto-friendly!
Air fryers require a faster cooking time than most standard convection ovens. For that reason, I definitely prefer roasting the chicken in the air fryer than in an oven.
About This Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This air fryer whole chicken is perfectly seasoned with paprika, kosher salt, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, thyme, and oregano.
No oil or butter is needed! This chicken recipe will save you hundreds of calories and fats. Best of all, you can use the chicken dripping to make gravy!
Can You Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Air Fryer comes in three categories: Paddle-Type Air Fryer, Basket-Type Air Fryer, and Countertop Convection Oven.
I personally own two different types of air fryers: The Gourmia 8 qt air fryer and the Ninja Foodi Digital Fry, Convection Oven. I cooked this whole chicken using my basket air fryer because there is no way to fit the whole chicken in my countertop convection oven air fryer.
How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken in Air Fryer:
To cook a 5-pound chicken in an air fryer, you need to cook the chicken breast side down for about 40-50 minutes and breast side up for about 10-20 minutes or less cooking time if your chicken is smaller.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken Ingredients
To make this crispy and juicy air fryer whole chicken, you need the following ingredients:
- Whole chicken (about 5 pounds)
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
You also need to put the following ingredients in the cavity to help flavor the chicken as well.
- Fresh lemon
- Garlic bulb
Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Rotisserie Chicken:
- ROASTED YELLOW SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CHEESE AND HERBS
- SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE | CHEESY AND HEALTHY – WITH RECIPE VIDEO 🎥
- GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE
- BAKED MAC AND CHEESE (SO CREAMY AND CHEESY)
How to Prepare A Whole Chicken for Cooking
The preparation is quite simple. It doesn't require marinating or braining.
Here are some easy steps that you need to follow:
Step 1. Remove neck, liver, gizzard, and the giblets from the cavity. The giblets are for making stock.
Step 2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, including the cavity.
As far as rinsing or not rinsing, you can make a decision based on the CDC recommendation on how to handle chicken safely to avoid food poisoning here.
Step 3. Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt inside of the cavity to make sure that the chicken is flavorful all the way through.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer:
Here's the secret to great-tasting chicken.
Step 1. Make a Dry Rub - The Best Seasoning for Chicken!
Don't be afraid of putting salt on your bird. To make the best seasoning for your chicken, you need to combine kosher salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Step 2. Season the Whole Chicken Before Cooking.
Rub seasoning mixture over the outside and inside of the chicken.
Step 3. Stuff the cavity of the Chicken
Stuff the cavity with aromatics garlic bulb and lemon.
Step 4. Tie Drumsticks Together
This step makes the chicken cooks evenly and makes the cooked chicken look more attractive when you serve it.
Step 5. Preheat the air fryer to 360F°.
Step 6. Put the Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket Breast Side Down.
Put the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Cook for 50 minutes.
Step 7. Cook the Chicken Breast Side Up.
Remove the basket from the air fryer, carefully flip the chicken and tuck the wing underneath the bird's back. Now, it's time to cook the chicken breast side up for 10-15 minutes or until the thickest part of the breast registers 165° F on an instant-read thermometer.
Let the chicken rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Step 8. (OPTIONAL) Make Gravy While Chicken Rest.
- Drain pan drippings. Allow to settle for about 5 minutes and use a spoon to skim fat from the surface.
- Transfer the drippings to a saucepan, add some water or low sodium chicken broth to make at least 1 cup of gravy. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes.
- For each cup of liquid, you want to thicken, you need to combine 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the thickening mixture into the sauce, stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
Check Out More Air Fryer Recipes:
- BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS
- OKRA (CRISPY AND NOT SLIMY)
- ZUCCHINI FRIES
- CHICKEN NUGGETS (CRISPY AND FLAVORFUL)
- CHICKEN THIGHS
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken , (5 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
- 1½ teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For Cavity:
- 1 garlic bulb, (cut in half)
- ½ lemon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360F°.
- Remove neck, liver, gizzard, and the giblets from the cavity. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, including the cavity.
- Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt and put halved lemon and both halved garlic bulb inside of the cavity.
- In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Rub seasoning mixture over the outside and inside of the chicken. Tie drumsticks together.
- Put the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Cook for 50 minutes.
- Carefully flip the chicken and tuck the wing underneath the bird’s back. Cook the chicken breast side up for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drain pan drippings. Allow to settle for about 5 minutes and use a spoon to skim fat from the surface.
- Transfer the drippings to a saucepan, add some water or low sodium chicken broth to make at least 1 cup of gravy. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes.
- For each cup of liquid, you want to thicken, you need to combine 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the thickening mixture into the sauce, stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
Luci says
This was my first time cooking a chicken in the air fryer and it was delicious! I was shocked I didn't need any butter or oil. The chicken turned out so juicy and the skin was cooked perfectly.
Rika says
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Luci!
Dionne says
I can't believe how delicious this chicken looks! Fantastic use of an air fryer, that is for sure! 🙂
Rika says
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Dionne!
Cathleen says
Okay, you've convinced me. Cyber Monday is the day I will be buying an air fryer, because this looks perfect!!
Rika says
It's the perfect time to purchase! I hope you will find a good sale.
Andrea Metlika says
What a beautifully crispy and delicious chicken! Can't wait to make this!
veenaazmanov says
Healthy cooking is always the best option. Air Fryer makes the chicken moist and crispy too. Presentation picture perfect.
Rika says
I agree. I love cooking with my new air fryer now!
Nunya says
NEVER SUGGEST PUTTING ANY KIND OF PAPER ON TOP OF FOOD IN AIR FRYER. Followed this dumb recipe and almost burned down my damn kitchen. Turns out, you're not supposed to us baking paper in an air fryer. Its a fire hazard
Rika says
Hi Nunya,
Sorry that this recipe didn't turn out well for you. I personally used baking paper with no burning issue. With different air fryers out there I should be more clear that the baking paper must be air fryer (high temperature) proof and the paper should be tightly wrapped around the food (chicken) to prevent it from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element. Also, the baking paper is optional, and should only be used at the last minute if the skin gets too dark.
I take your comments seriously and will adjust the recipe notes accordingly.
Best,
Rika
Rebecca says
Rita
I have a question before I try this chicken. I have a Kalorik 26 qt air fryer toaster oven combo. Would I use the air fryer setting or oven setting for this recipe?
Rebecca
Rika says
Hi Rebecca,
Sorry for the late reply. I just contacted the Kalorik customer service. From the doc that the agent shared with me, it looks like you need to truss your chicken with butcher’s twine, set up the chicken on the spit then use the "Rotisserie" function under the Chicken preset to cook the chicken (up to 5 pounds). However, I've read many reviews stating that the rotating spit will not work properly if your chicken is too big, for that reason, you can always put the chicken directly on the baking tray on the bottom slot using AIR FRYING mode as mentioned on their FAQ. https://www.kalorik.com/pages/faq. Please follow their cooking timetable on your manual for more accurate information to yield the best result.
Let me know how it goes with the chicken!
Best,
Rika