Did you know you can roast a whole chicken in your air fryer? The chicken comes out juicy and the skin gets nice and crisp like the best rotisserie chicken ever. Plus, it uses way less energy than heating up the whole oven.
I often pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store when I want a quick dinner, but sometimes those chickens are tiny! Buying a raw chicken gives you more choice in terms of size and other qualities like organic, free-range, locally farmed, antibiotic-free, etc.
Why using an air fryer for whole chicken works so well
- Convection: That little fan inside the air fryer blows the heat around making sure the whole chicken gets the same amount of attention, and helps crisp up the skin perfectly.
- Energy efficient: The air fryer is so quick to preheat, and uses less energy overall than a big ol’ oven, making it super convenient and easy on the heat bills!
- Easy cleanup: The grease stays nicely contained inside the air fryer allowing for easy cleanup instead of filling your oven with grease.
What you’ll need to air fry a whole chicken
Equipment:
- The only equipment you need is an air fryer and a bowl or a ziploc bag to coat the chicken in marinade.
Ingredients:
- A whole chicken: In the grocery store, the chickens will be labeled as roasting chicken or a roaster. They tend to be in the 3-4 lb range. This is ideal.
- Spices: I like to keep it simple with paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano, but feel free to mix things up based on your own taste.
- Lemon: The juice of half a lemon is just the thing to wake up the flavor of the chicken.
- Olive oil: To carry all the flavors and help give the chicken its golden skin.
How to air fry a whole chicken
Step 1: Make the marinade by combining the spices, lemon juice, and olive oil in a small bowl and mixing well with a small whisk or a fork.
Step 2: Remove the chicken from its packaging, pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water or juices.
Step 3: Place the chicken in a bowl or a bag and toss the chicken in the marinade until it is very well coated all over.
Step 4: Set the air fryer to 350 F or 175 C, and set the time to 60 minutes.
Step 5: Once preheated, place the chicken breast side down into the air fryer basket and allow it to roast for 30 minutes.
💡 OPTIONAL: At the 40-minute mark, add chopped, seasoned potatoes to the air fryer basket to cook with the chicken. YUM!
Step 6: After 30 minutes, use a set of tongs to flip the chicken over so it is breast side up. Allow to cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
Step 7: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in multiple places. I like to check the thickest part of the breast, right near the breast bone, as well as the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should read 165 or above.
Step 8: Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and place it on a board or plate to rest for 15 minutes before digging in.
How to serve air fryer chicken
I doubt I need to tell you the myriad ways you can enjoy a perfectly roasted chicken, but here are some ideas just in case.
- Serve alongside roasted potatoes and green beans or broccoli for a family-friendly dinner.
- Go picnic-style with a creamy coleslaw and potato salad.
- Shred and use in tacos with fresh salsa & guacamole.
- Add to a simple creamy pasta with frozen peas & parmesan.
- Make a creamy chicken salad with chopped celery, green onion, and mayo.
- Serve with another one of my recipes like Dill Roasted Potatoes, Kale Caesar Salad, Cauliflower Baked Orzo, or Sweet Spicy Green Beans.
Storing, reheating, and using leftover chicken
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also shred and freeze the meat for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags.
Leftover chicken is great eaten cold in sandwiches and wraps. But if you want it reheated, it’s best to avoid microwaving it. Microwaving leftover chicken gives it a weird flavor, and it makes the meat a bit tough. The best way to reheat cooked chicken is in a small amount of liquid.
- Put a bit of leftover gravy or chicken stock (or water + chicken stock concentrate) into a small pot.
- Add your chicken and cover with a lid.
- Heat on the stove on medium-low until the chicken is warmed through.
This method will ensure that your reheated chicken will be extra juicy. You can also reheat your air fried chicken by adding it to soups, stews, and stir-fries.
No air fryer? No problem
Don't worry if you don't have an air fryer - this chicken recipe works great in a regular oven too. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), place the marinated chicken in a roasting pan breast-side down, and roast for about 30 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. The result will be delicious! It’ll just use more energy and take a bit longer than the air fryer method.
Frequently asked questions
For a 3-4 pound chicken, it typically takes about 60 minutes at 350°F (175°C). However, cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your chicken and your specific air fryer model. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Most air fryers can accommodate a 3-4 pound chicken. Larger air fryers might fit up to a 5-pound bird, but you'll want to make sure there's at least 1 inch of space between the chicken and the heating element for proper air circulation.
While I love to brine my chicken (usually using the dry brine method) it isn’t necessary, and I don’t recommend it in this case because it interferes with the quick & convenient nature of this recipe.
It's best not to stuff an air fryer chicken as it can prevent even cooking. If you want, you can add aromatics like lemon wedges, garlic cloves, or herbs for flavor, but keep the cavity relatively open for good air flow.
If you notice the skin browning too quickly, it’s probably time to check the temperature of your chicken. It might be done! If not, you can flip the chicken over to let it brown more on the underside.
I haven’t experimented with frozen chicken, so I can’t advise. For this recipe, it’s important to fully thaw your chicken in the refrigerator before getting started.
Yes! The drippings collected in the bottom of your air fryer basket or drawer can be used to make gravy. Just be careful when removing them as they'll be very hot.
Whether or not you truss the chicken is personal preference. I don't bother because it's a pain, and I like the extra crispy bits of skin around the chicken legs. I find that you lose some of that if you truss the chicken. A trussed chicken does look a bit more neat and tidy with its legs together, but it's your call at the end of the day.
More easy chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Instant Pot Chicken and Brown Rice with Mushrooms
- Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma
Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Medium bowl or bag for marinating
- Small bowl for mixing the marinade
- digital thermometer recommended
Ingredients
- 1 Chicken 3-4 lbs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 0.5 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Make the marinade by combining the spices, lemon juice, and olive oil in a small bowl and mixing well with a small whisk or a fork.
- Remove the chicken from its packaging, pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water or juices, and place the chicken in a bowl or a ziploc bag. *I often use the bag that the grocery store wraps around the chicken, if it looks sturdy enough.
- Toss the chicken in the marinade until it is very well coated all over.
- Set the air fryer to 350 F or 175 C, and set the time to 60 minutes.
- Once preheated, place the chicken breast side down into the air fryer basket and allow it to roast for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, use a set of tongs to flip the chicken over so it is breast side up. Allow to cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in multiple places. I like to check the thickest part of the breast, right near the breast bone, as well as the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should read 165 or above.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and place it on a board or plate to rest for 15 minutes before digging in.
Notes
- It's a good idea to roast some potatoes in the air fryer at the same time to soak up the juices. Here's how I do it:
- Cut 2-3 Yukon Gold potatoes into 1 inch chunks
- Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of oil
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket with the chicken when there are 40-minutes remaining on the cooking time.
- Toss once or twice throughout the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Chris S. says
Turned out great!