This air fryer whole chicken recipe is my go-to dinner. It’s totally effortless and makes an insanely juicy chicken! Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is so easy and perfection every single time.
Season a whole chicken and air fry for about an hour. Voila… crispy skin, juicy meat, perfect.
Why I LOVE Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
Oven roast chicken is a go to meal, and it’s even easier in the air fryer. This is hands down my favorite air fryer meal, it comes out with extra-crisp skin and is very juicy & fall off the bone tender.
- Using the air fryer to cook any cut of chicken is so easy.
- Chicken cooks quicker and clean up is a cinch!
- You’ll need just 3 ingredients (chicken, oil and a favorite seasoning).
- The skin is extra crisp and the meat is very juicy.
- Great for dinner or for meal prep. Cook an extra chicken to replace a rotisserie chicken or to have chicken for sandwiches, soups, or salads.
Serve this air fryer chicken with your favorite veggies or mashed potatoes and a side salad.
Ingredients
CHICKEN: Choose a chicken that is about 3-4lbs in size.
OIL: A bit of olive is added which helps the seasoning stick to the skin as well as helps the skin to crisp better. Cooking spray can be used instead.
SEASONING: A little bit of seasoning before cooking adds flavor to the skin. If you have a favorite seasoning blend, use it. If not, a simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder is great too. Add your own favorite seasonings including onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary.
How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This recipe is ready in just 3 easy steps.
- Prepare the whole chicken.
- Rub with oil and seasonings (per the recipe below).
- Cook according to the recipe instructions.
Serve this chicken with roasted sweet potatoes or glazed carrots and a tossed salad to round out the meal!
Tips for Success
- Look inside the chicken and remove giblets (they can be saved for giblet gravy). Not all chickens have them so don’t worry if you don’t see them.
- Many chickens come tied with string. If the chicken is bigger (closer to 4lbs) it may be too big and touch the top of the air fryer. If this is the case, untie it before cooking. If it’s still touching the top of the air fryer, gently press the chicken breast with the palm of your hand to slightly crack the breast bone.
- Cook the chicken breast side down and flip after 30 minutes.
- A 3 lb chicken will need 45-50 minutes while a 4lb chicken will need closer to 60 minutes.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer. Check it early to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Pour the drippings over veggies (like asparagus or cauliflower) and cook them in the air fryer while the chicken rests.
Leftover Chicken
- To store chicken, remove the meat from the carcass and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or place it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. (Save the carcass for broth).
- To reheat, just pop it in the microwave! Refresh the flavors with a little salt and pepper, or make a quick gravy to serve over top!
Air Fryer Favorites
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings – perfect snack for any occasion
- Hoisin Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – so easy to make
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts – perfectly seasoned
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken – a failproof recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – so crispy & flavorful
Did you make this Air Fryer Chicken? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ½ pound whole chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Chicken Seasoning (or use 1 tbs prepared chicken seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅙ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Instructions
-
Ensure the cavity of the chicken is empty and dab the skin dry.
-
Rub the skin with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning.
-
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 20-30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reaches 165°F.
-
Remove from the air fryer and rest 10 minutes before cutting.
Video
Notes
- I have this 5.8qt air fryer which fits a 3.75lb chicken. Ensure your chicken will fit in your air fryer before starting.
- Make sure to remove all giblets from the cavity before cooking. These pieces can be frozen to make giblet gravy.
- If your chicken is too large (and touches the top element), untie the legs if needed and/or press it to flatten it somewhat until it fits.
- Use any seasonings you'd like. Fresh garlic can sometimes burn in the air fryer.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer. Check it early to ensure it doesn't overcook.
- Pour the chicken drippings over veggies (like green beans, asparagus or cauliflower) and cook them in the air fryer while the chicken rests.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
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This recipe is so easy and delicious. I do exactly as the recipe states and it comes out so juicy and flavorful. I have made it several times.
What temp for the air fryer, huge mistake not including this ??????
In step 3 of the recipe we place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket and turn the air fryer to 350°F. I hope that helps!
So good! So easy!
All I can say is wow, wow, wow !!! This chicken is absolutely amazing. This is my new way to make chicken thanks for this fabulous recipe !
I’ve never done a chicken in an air fryer before. This recipe is a game-changer for me. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it tastes so much better than the ones in the grocery store. I will never cook a chicken in the oven again!
This is my GO TO recipe! So good. Thank you for sharing it!
This is the first meal that I did in my new AirFryer. It turned out perfectly. Crisp on the outside and moist on the inside.
Excellent!! Thank you.
Holly, I absolutely love your website. My whole chicken was marvelous! So juicy! Makes my mouth water all over again
You’re recipes always my go to, my meals come out amazing!
Keep up the good work!
Stay safe.
So sweet of you Susan! Thank you for your support ❤️
Fantastic result!
Can’t see me using my regular oven again to cook roast chicken.
Thank you for sharing. I love air frying and this is the first time doing a whole chicken. Loved the outcome.
delicious and it’s so easy!! I think that it’s as good as the store rotisserie but I prefer to make organic humanely raised birds. thank you.
I use this recipe whenever I do a whole chicken, turns out perfectly every time!
This turned out good and very tender. I’m going to try again though, it almost seemed not done though my thermometer said it was. I used a 4.5lb chicken for 60min.
Yea! An easy recipe — no multiple indredients, no complicated cooking instructions. Thanks.
Excellent easy to follow recipe. Came out perfect without a whole lot of effort. Will recommend to everyone.
I used this recipe before and is getting ready to use it again today. Chicken was juicy and tender.
I had planned on an oven roasted chicken but got home late so quickly looked up air fryer options. This was so good and everyone loved it! Doubt I’ll go back to the oven!
I cannot find the Skip to recipe button. As stated in the air fryer hamburger recipe. Please indicate where about it might be. thank you
Hi Sylvia, at the top of any post on the right-hand side there is a ‘JUMP TO RECIPE’ button. I hope that helps!
This came out absolutely perfect. Great flavor!!
Thanks for the recipe