Air Fryer Whole Chicken is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfectly cooked every time! This recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep, and the rest is hands-off thanks to the air fryer.
I LOVE Air Fryer Recipes! They’re quick and easy, and the clean-up is pretty low maintenance. I make Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Turkey Breast regularly, but this is the first time I’ve used it to cook a whole chicken.
I usually Roast a Whole Chicken, but was curious how the air fryer recipe would compare.
All I can say is “Wow!” The chicken is crispy, tender, and so full of flavor! I used the leftovers to make Chicken Salad and chicken sandwiches so I can enjoy it all week.
I can get golden, crispy skin without much oil and rich, slow-cooked flavor in less than an hour!
Ingredients
- Whole chicken — For my air fryer, I use a 3-pound whole chicken. Remember to check the size of your air fryer before buying a chicken to make sure it’ll fit.
- Seasoning blend — I like to season the chicken with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. This is my favorite poultry seasoning mix.
- Oil — For simplicity’s sake, I recommend cooking spray. You can also use regular oil and rub it in with your hands or a pastry brush.
Instructions
Prepare and season the chicken:
- Before you begin, remove the chicken from the fridge and leave it out for about 30 minutes. Remove any parts that may be in the cavity of the bird. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the air fryer if your model requires you to do so.
- In a small bowl, add the garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix the seasonings well to combine.
- Spray the chicken with olive oil or avocado oil and evenly rub the spices in. Be sure to season the chicken thoroughly and coat it all over. I don’t mind doing this step with my hands, but if you prefer not to, I suggest wearing gloves or using a pastry brush.
Cook the whole chicken in the air fryer:
- Using a piece of butcher’s twine, tightly secure the legs of the chicken together. Then, place the whole chicken (chicken breast side down) in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the chicken at 350°F for about 25 minutes. At this point, flip the chicken over and continue cooking for an additional 25 minutes. The chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Note: The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, and you may need to adjust accordingly. I always recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and make sure the chicken is cooked through.
Rest, carve, and serve:
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board to rest for at least 10 minutes. I like to cover it with a piece of aluminum foil while it is resting.
- Then, carve and serve the chicken with your favorite sides.
Expert Tips
- My number one tip for getting golden, crispy skin is to pat the chicken dry very well before seasoning it. The moisture from taking the chicken out of the fridge will make it difficult for the skin to crisp up.
- I highly recommend using a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. This way, you’ll know when it reaches 165°F and is cooked to perfection.
- Be sure to give the chicken time to rest before you cut it. This will give the juices time to redistribute and prevent the meat from drying out. I aim for a rest time of at least 10 minutes, if not a little bit longer.
- Before you toss the carcass, I recommend turning it into a flavorful bone broth! For step-by-step instructions, check out my homemade turkey broth recipe.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds whole chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Avocado or Olive oil spray
Instructions
- First, remove the chicken from the fridge and leave it out for about 30 minutes before cooking.
- In a small bowl, add garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, black pepper and cumin. Mix all together.
- Spray the chicken with avocado oil or olive oil and rub the spices all over, evenly.
- Then, tightly tie the legs of the chicken together using a piece of butcher’s twine and place the whole chicken (belly side down) in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the chicken at 350°F for about 25 minutes. Then flip over, and continue cooking for 25 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer it to a cutting board and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I have used this recipe several times I am from the UK, love your site and emails
So happy to hear that! It made my day 😉