Simple Air Fryer Whole Chicken

This super simple Air Fryer Whole Chicken is just the best way to get that rotisserie chicken flavor and crispy skin by cooking it in the air fryer. You are just going to love how quick and easy this recipe is and you will want to make it all the time!

Okay, full disclosure, I am totally obsessed with this Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe. It has literally changed my life and I have made it more times than I want to admit. I have even made it for my parents since they just had to try it!

I love a good air fryer chicken recipe like this Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, which is also a family favorite. This one though….this is a healthy chicken recipe to top all chicken recipes.

The best part about it is that is costs like $10 or less to make it and you can eat it all week long! Wow! Plus it is the juiciest, most delicious whole chicken recipe ever!

Why you will just love this recipe

• Super simple with only a few ingredients
• The best crispy skin and juicy chicken in 3 easy steps
• Great for meal prep
• Easy healthy chicken recipe
• Inexpensive and kid-friendly

Ingredients needed to make this air fryer whole chicken

How to make Air Fryer Whole chicken

This is a super easy recipe that is mostly hands off since the air fryer does most of the work for you and you will get incredibly juicy and crispy chicken every time.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Cook. Preheat the air fryer to 400 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).
4. 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.

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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

There are so many wonderful ways you can serve this air fryer whole chicken. I love to slice it up and enjoy it with some oven roasted broccoli or on top of a hearty kale salad. Here are some other delicious ways you can enjoy 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

Seasoning variations

You can easily change up the seasoning for this air fryer whole chicken recipe. Here are a few combinations that would be great!

• Taco seasoning
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Shawarma seasoning
• Plain old salt and pepper – my personal favorite
• Lemon pepper

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to try!

• Crispy Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
• 15 Minute Air Fryer Breaded chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• 10 Minute Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables

Notes about this recipe

• I did not brine the chicken in this recipe because I found that although it was slightly juicier when I brined it, I did not find it to be necessary. This chicken still comes out super juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside without brining it. Of course, if you like to brine your chicken then go for it!
• Tying the legs is not necessary in this recipe but if you would like to tie them then simply use some kitchen twine and tie them together before you cook the chicken. Once the chicken is done cooking then carefully remove the twine before you carve it. The purpose of tying the legs together ( i.e trussing) is to ensure the inside cavity does not dry out while cooking. I actually found that it came out very juicy, without tying them so it was not a necessary step.
• My method for extra crispy skin is to preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees then cook it at 360 degrees so it get’s a nice crispy out layer without the chicken drying out. If you have an air fryer that does not preheat then you can cook the chicken at 400 degrees for the first 5 minutes of cooking time then reduce the temperature to 360 degrees for the remainder of the cooking time.

Recipe Tips

• 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 for traditional air fryer: 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. As always, please see your individual air fryer instruction manual on how to cook a whole chicken in your air fryer. Although, I found that his method works in most air fryers.
• 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 flip the chicken you can use a large metal spatula, tongs or a large serving fork.
• Here is a helpful link on how to carve a whole chicken.
• 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!

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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