Air Fryer Whole Chicken

This Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe makes the most succulent roasted chicken in less than an hour! Skip the rotisserie chicken and make this at home with a few simple spices.

AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN RECIPE

There’s nothing more impressive than a roasted chicken. It’s also cheaper! I love this simple Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe because it’s so easy and I always have the ingredients on hand.

I love most things I make in my beloved air fryer, but this could be my new favorite.

It’s so easy, budget friendly, and comes out crispy yet juicy every time! I’ll never go back to oven roasting again for potatoes, broccoli, or chicken.

INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN

Whole chicken: Make sure the chicken fits in your air fryer basket with a little room on all sides. I bind the legs before cooking, too.

Olive oil: Without a little oil, the seasonings won’t stick to the chicken as well! It also helps get the most crispy skin on the outside while leaving the meat moist underneath.

Smoked paprika: I love the addition of paprika to a spice rub. It brings a gentle smokiness and a sweet spice to make this whole chicken in the air fryer taste almost like I smoked it!

Dried oregano: My favorite Italian seasoning! The sweet herbaceous flavor of oregano makes it go well with chicken and almost any meat.

Garlic powder: Unlike raw garlic, garlic powder has a sweeter taste. It truly makes any recipe better!

Onion powder: Onions add flavor to everything they touch. Onion powder is the same!

Salt: Everything is better with a touch of salt. It really helps bring out the natural flavor of the foods without overpowering it or your spice blend.

Black pepper: I love the light kick of black pepper. It really enhances this simple spice blend with a little spice but not too much. If you want a spicier chicken, add a pinch of cayenne pepper!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN

1. First, preheat your air fryer basket — or air fryer tray! — like you would your oven. Be sure to grease the basket before adding the chicken, too.
2. Then, mix the paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
3. Now, make sure the chicken is clean inside and out. Bind the legs with kitchen twine.
4. To prep the chicken, rub the skin liberally with oil. This helps the spice blend stick!
5. Next, sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning blend and rub it to coat every inch of chicken.
6. Finally, air fry the chicken breast-side down for about half an hour. Then, flip the chicken and continue cooking until the skin is crispy and the chicken is completely cooked. I love a squeeze of fresh lemon juice when I’m plating, too.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN

Make it an indoor picnic with this tangy Amish potato salad! It’s my favorite potato salad recipe with yellow mustard and just a little acidity.

Have the best chicken and stuffing with this oven-baked recipe! No need to stuff the bird with this classic side dish.

Keep it simple with these 5-ingredient dairy-free mashed potatoes for a quick, comforting side dish without all the work.

Want something as hands-off as this Air Fryer Whole Chicken? Try my yummy broccoli casserole! They’re easy to bake at the same time to get dinner on the table while everything is hot.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU COOK A WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER?

When you’re cooking chicken, it’s all about the doneness of the meat. You never want to serve chicken that didn’t reach at least 165 degrees F internally.

For this Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe, I cook the chicken for nearly an hour total.

I cook the chicken breast-side down for about half an hour before flipping it breast-side up for another 20 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

When checking chicken, be sure to measure the thickest part of each piece to avoid pink surprises!

CAN YOU PUT RAW CHICKEN IN AN AIR FRYER?

Much like an oven, you can make any raw meat in the air fryer with ease!

To keep the raw chicken from sticking to your air fryer basket or air fryer toaster oven tray, spray the surface with a light cooking oil for crispy skin and no stuck meat.

When working with raw chicken, always be careful to wash your hands and anything that touched the raw chicken before proceeding with your meal prep.

I even use different tongs when handling raw chicken versus the final product an hour later. Better safe than sorry when it comes to food poisoning!

MORE YUMMY AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES

I’ve always got chicken in my freezer for a quick and easy dinner that’s still healthy, too.

Make your own chicken tenders and skip the takeout and frozen options! They’re just as crispy as your favorite restaurant and are ready in just half an hour.

I love this sticky ginger chicken because it’s got a great marinade with just 3 pantry staples. Try an Asian-inspired night in your air fryer this time.

No tailgate is complete without some chicken wings, and these bbq chicken wings in the air fryer are great for a snack or a quick dinner!

Ever wondered if air fryer fried chicken is as crunchy as traditional fried chicken? Spoiler alert: It is! Cut the calories and make your family’s favorite tonight without all that oil splatter.

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