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This perfectly flavourful Air Fryer Whole Chicken is the best way to get that rotisserie chicken flavor with crispy skin and a juicy center every time.
The BEST Air Fryer Whole Chicken
I love cooking so many different things in my air fryer and this air fryer whole chicken has got to be my new favorite way to cook chicken. It is so easy and simple to make and it is likely the only way I will cook a whole chicken from here on out. My family is obsessed with it!
Check out some of my other easy, healthy air fryer chicken recipes.
This recipe is pretty much hands off except for seasoning the chicken because the air fryer pretty much does all of the work for you.
What you will need to make this recipe
Whole Chicken: As always you want to use the highest quality chicken you can afford. Pasture-raised, organic chicken is best. Make sure to choose a whole chicken that will fit in your air fryer. I found that 3lb-5lb chickens fit in most air fryers.
Olive oil or cooking spray: You will need to use a little bit of oil to allow the seasoning to stick to the chicken. Olive oil, avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray will all work in this recipe.
The seasoning: I chose to use garlic powder, onion powder, Chili Powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper but you can use any spice blend you prefer.
How to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer
- Prep the chicken. Use a clean paper towel to dry the chicken really well all over, including the inside cavity of the chicken.
- Season. In a small bowl, mix up the seasoning. Rub the olive oil all over the entire chicken, including the inside cavity. Then use your hands to rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken.
- Cook. Place the chicken, breast side down into the air fryer basket. Close and cook at 360 degrees for 50 minutes. Then carefully flip the chicken over and cook it for 10 more minutes (see cooking recommendations below).
- Let rest, carve and serve. Now this is easier said then done, so here is a great video on how to carve a whole chicken.
Mix up seasoning 
Rub oil and seasoning all over the chicken 
Place chicken into air fryer breast side down 
Cook for 50 minutes, flip and cook for 10 more minutes
You will not believe how incredible this chicken is. It is going to blow your mind, it is so good! Juicy, tender and so flavourful every single time!
Serving suggestions
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this chicken.
- Use it in this amazing BBQ Chicken Salad
- Add it on top of this Chicken Pesto Pizza
- Serve it alongside these incredible Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
- Enjoy it as a healthy meal addition to this Lemon and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
- Pile it on top of this Israeli Couscous Salad
More easy air fryer Recipes to try:
- Crispy Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- 15 Minute Air Fryer Breaded chicken Breast
- Juicy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Ground Chicken Meatballs
- 10 Minute Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables
Recipe FAQs
- Make sure your chicken fits in your air fryer. I have a 5.7 quart air fryer that can fit about a 5.5 pound whole chicken. Some of the smaller air fryers can only fit a 3 pound chicken, so make sure it fits before you start cooking.
- What is the best temperature to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer ? The best temperature to cook chicken in the air fryer is 360 degrees F. This allows the chicken to cook perfectly all the way through and still get a nice crispy skin and juicy center.
- How long does it take to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer? Most chickens that are 3lbs-5lbs will take between 45-50 minutes. For the best results, cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Do I need to tie the legs together for air fryer chicken? I didn’t think it was necessary to tie the legs since they didn’t burn but feel free to tie them if you prefer to.
Did you make this recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.
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Amazing Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This super simple Air Fryer Whole Chicken is just the best way to get that rotisserie chicken flavor with crispy skin and a juicy center every time.
Ingredients
- 1 (5 pound) whole chicken – Preferably organic and pasture-raised
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Remove the chicken from the packaging, discard the giblets that should be in a bag in the cavity of the chicken. Then use a clean paper towel to dry the chicken really well all over, including the inside cavity of the chicken.
- Season. In a small bowl, mix up the seasoning. Rub the olive oil all over the entire chicken, including the inside cavity. Then use your hands to rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken and the inside cavity.
- Cook. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F. Once the air fryer is ready spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and place the chicken, breast side down into the air fryer basket. Close and cook at 360 degrees for 50 minutes. Then carefully flip the chicken over and cook it for 10 more minutes (see cooking recommendations below).
- Let rest, carve and serve. Now this is easier said then done, so here is a great video on how to carve a whole chicken.
Notes
- Make sure your chicken fits in your air fryer. I have a 5.7 quart air fryer that can fit about a 5.5 pound whole chicken. Some of the smaller air fryers can only fit a 3 pound chicken, so make sure it fits before you start cooking.
- Cooking time recommendations: 3 lb -3.5 lb chicken – cook for 45 minutes, flip and cook for 7-8 more minutes, 5 lb chicken – cook for 50 minutes, flip and cook for 10 more minutes, 5.5 lb chicken – cook for 50 minutes, flip and cook for 15 more minutes
- If you are cooking this chicken in an air fryer oven: prep the chicken as directed in this recipe and place it onto the baking tray inside the oven. Set the oven to 400 degrees F, convection cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and cook the chicken for 30 more minutes. Check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer and remove it from the oven once it reaches 165 degrees F. I found this cooking time to be pretty precise for a 4-4.5lb whole chicken.
- For super juicy chicken – make sure you dry the chicken really well and coat it in the oil and seasoning all over, even underneath the chicken and the inside cavity. Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, remove it from the air fryer, let it rest for at least 5 minutes before carving it.
- To store this chicken, let it cool then carve it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Easily reheat it in the microwave. It still stays super juicy after a few days, which is great!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
7this is an awesome recipe. The chicken melts in your mouth. The flavor and juiciness amazed me. No more store bought for me. Set it and forget it pretty much with this one. Thank you so much for the recipe!
★★★★★
This chicken was so easy to make, fed me and my three kids and the flavors were phenomenal!
★★★★★
How on earth are you supposed to “carefully flip” a 350 degree chicken over? I’ve seen so many recipes call for this step and there’s no way to gracefully do it, or do it without splattering hot chicken juice, or making a huge mess of my hot pads. Is there something I’m missing?
Hi Tracy, You are correct that it is not the most graceful thing but I found there was not too much grease since the bottom of the air fryer catches it. Using a large metal spatula and kitchen gloves worked fine. I was also able to grab the legs and flip it easily with no grease splatter at all since the chicken that will fit into most air fryers is only 3-5 pounds it’s pretty light in weight. If you are concerned about flipping the chicken then you can always skip that step, you just won’t get super crispy skin all around.
I have baked chicken for many years. However I am not sure why its necessary to oil the inside of the chicken as well as season it inside. Doesn’t the season and the oil already do its job on the outside? Also how does one season the inside of the chicken, the opening isn’t that big for a hand to massage the seasoning
★★★★
Hi Sharon, I chose to season the chicken all over since for this recipe I felt that it provided the best flavor and super crispy skin, while also keeping the inside very moist. You can certainly choose to omit the oil if that is what you prefer. You can use a brush or just your fingers to season the inside cavity if you choose to do so.