Air Fryer Whole Chicken

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If you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe that requires little prep, look no further than this air fryer whole chicken recipe. The leftovers are perfect for meal prepping too! The chicken comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Did you know that you can air fryer a whole chicken?! It’s totally possible if you have a large enough air fryer basket or if you have a smaller chicken. You’ll be surprised at how nice and juicy it turns out too!

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Owning my air fryer has been a game-changer. I now own multiple different styles of air fryers and one with a larger basket is perfect for this recipe. If you couldn’t tell my favorite thing to cook in my air fryer is chicken.

Making this Whole Chicken in my air fryer has been very versatile. From carving the chicken and serving it with vegetables or using the pieces to make sandwiches.

If you have been here from the beginning you know my love for Trader Joe’s. After making their delicious marinated whole chicken, I had to make my own.

Make sure to check out these other amazing whole chicken recipes; Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Spatchcock Chicken – Sweet and Savory, Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Spatchcock Chicken – Lemon Rosemary, and Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brinded Half Chicken.

One of my go-to recipes is Shredded Chicken. With a whole chicken, you can have enough shredded chicken for the family.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer Basket Topped with a Lemon Wedge and Herbs

Ingredients

Small whole chicken
Seasonings – dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika
Avocado oil

Air Fryer Whole Chicken Raw Chicken on a Plate Surrounded by Small Bowls of Seasoning

✳️ Tips & Tricks

Ensure that the whole chicken you choose is small enough to fit comfortably in your air fryer. I have an 8qt air fryer.
Adjust the cooking time based on the size and weight of the chicken.
Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F before serving.
Let the chicken rest before carving. This ensures the chicken doesn’t dry out.

Tools to make this Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes.
Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken tenders
Meat thermometer – You always want to ensure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165F.

How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 5 minutes.
Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and avocado oil. Mix well.
Rub the skin of the chicken with the mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Gently place the seasoned whole chicken into the preheated air fryer basket, breast side down.
Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
Cook the chicken for another 30-40 depending on the size and weight of the chicken. Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Once cooked, carefully remove the whole chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken Seasoning Mixture in a Small Bowl

Air Fryer Whole Chicken a Small Bowl of Oil Over a Small Bowl of Seasoning

Oven Directions

Preheat your oven to 425F.
Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and avocado oil. Mix well.
Rub the skin of the chicken with the mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Place the chicken breast side up in an oven-safe pan (I prefer cast iron). Truss the legs.
Roast the chicken for 70 to 90 minutes, or until the juices run clear. Double-check doneness with a thermometer placed in the thickest part of the thigh. It should read 165°F.
Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes on a cutting board before slicing and serving.

Substitutions

If you don’t want to use individual spices, you can use your favorite chicken or poultry seasoning instead.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken on a Serving Platter with Lemons and Herbs

What to serve with Whole Chicken

You can whip up some of your favorite vegetables and potatoes. Which is also the perfect for meal prepping.

If you own multiple air fryers like me you can make Air Fryer Vegetables.
Instant Pot Baked Potato is another one of my favorite go-to’s.

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.

♨️ How to reheat

Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until the chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave save plate to warm up.

To warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer Basket

❓FAQs

Can whole chickens be cooked in an air fryer?

Yes, a whole chicken can be cooked in the air fryer. Just make sure you buy a chicken that can fit inside your air fryer and cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Do I need to flip chicken in the air fryer?

To ensure an even cook always flip your chicken halfway through, especially if you’re cooking a whole chicken or a thicker cut.

More Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipes

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Air Fryer Whole Chicken

If you're looking for an easy dinner recipe that requires little prep, look no further than this air fryer whole chicken recipe for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 476 kcal