Air Fryer Whole Chicken
on Apr 08, 2024
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This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is moist, juicy, and has a perfectly golden crispy exterior. With just a few simple ingredients you can have a deliciously seasoned chicken that rivals Costco in no time!
One of our favorite things about this air fryer chicken is how versatile it is. It’s so easy to make and can be used in just about any dish that uses chicken. Whether you need sliced chicken, shredded chicken, etc. this is a great place to start.
It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight meal, but also makes a beautiful, picturesque and satisfying homestyle Sunday or formal family dinner.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Requires very little prep time.
- Can be incorporated into a variety of meals.
- Only uses 5 ingredients.
Recipe Ingredients
- Whole Chicken—Make sure the chicken is not too big for your air fryer.
- Olive Oil—Coating the entire surface of the chicken in oil will help the spices adhere better. You can also substitute avocado oil or coconut oil.
- Black Pepper—To help balance the flavors of the other spices.
- Garlic Powder— You can also use freshly minced garlic, but powder will adhere a bit better to the outside of the chicken.
- Italian Seasoning— If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just mix equal parts basil, oregano, garlic salt, and thyme.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Prepare Your Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Step #1. Preheat your air fryer at 350°F. Coat the entire surface of the chicken in oil then sprinkle on the spices
Step #2. Cook in the air fryer basket until it is fully cooked in the middle. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
While it is often necessary to flip your chicken when cooking it in the oven, it is not necessary when using an air fryer. Because the air is constantly circulating around the entire chicken, you can leave it along the entire time it cooks. With that being said, you are more than welcome to flip your chicken halfway through if that is what you are used to. Doing so will not have much of an effect on the final product.
We prefer to use fresh chicken since it cooks quicker, but frozen chicken will work as well. If you start with a frozen chicken, take the chicken out of the air fryer after 10 minutes to pull out the giblet bag (if there is one), then plan on rotating the chicken 2-3 times during the hour or so of cooking to make sure it’s cooking evenly. It may need up to 10-15 minutes longer to cook than the original recipe, but just keep an eye to make sure the skin is crispy to your liking and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
When it comes to adding spices, you can’t go wrong! We love switching up the spices we use to give this chicken a new, unique flavor. Try using red pepper flakes, onion powder, sea salt, paprika (smoked or regular), rosemary, or thyme.
How to Serve Your Air Fryer Whole Chicken
There are so many delicious ways to use a whole air fryer chicken. Some of our favorite ways to use our chicken include:
- Serving it with old fashioned creamy mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.
- Put slices of chicken on a soft roll or toasted sourdough buns and add swiss cheese and avocado slices for a gourmet chicken sandwich.
- Shred your chicken and add barbecue sauce to make bbq chicken sliders. Serve with coleslaw and corn on the cob for an amazing summer picnic meal!
- Pair your chicken with easy air fryer sweet potatoes and broccoli.
How to Store Your Leftover Chicken
You can shred or cut up your chicken and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure your chicken is stored airtight to keep it fresh as long as possible. This chicken can be reheated in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds, or until warm. You’ll want to stop the microwave halfway through and stir the meat so that it reheats evenly.
Expert Tips
- Ideally you want your chicken to be about 3 pounds, but a little bigger will work too. Just make sure you can fit the chicken in your air fryer.
- If your chicken comes with a bag of giblets, you’ll want to take it out before starting the air fryer unless you are working with a frozen chicken.
- Air frying your chicken gives you a crispy exterior, a juicy interior, and helps prevent your chicken from drying out.
- Feel free to use freshly minced garlic if that is what you have available.
- Most air fryers can fit a chicken that is about 3 pounds.
More Chicken Recipes To Consider
Pasta Dishes
Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Baked Pasta
Soups, Stews & Chowders
White Chicken Chili
Chicken Recipes
Kung Pow Chicken
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F.
- Use your hands or a pastry brush to coat the entire surface of your chicken in olive oil.
- Sprinkle your spices over your chicken and transfer it to the air fryer basket.
- Cook your chicken for 50-55 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ideally you want your chicken to be about 3 pounds, but a little bigger will work too. Just make sure you can fit the chicken in your air fryer.
- Coating the entire surface of the chicken in oil will help the spices adhere better.
- You can also use coconut or avocado oil.
- Other spices you can use include red pepper flakes, onion powder, sea salt, paprika, rosemary, and thyme.
- You can shred or cut up your chicken and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Make sure your chicken is stored airtight to keep it fresh as long as possible.
- Air frying your chicken gives you a crispy exterior and helps prevent your chicken from drying out.
