Air Fryer Whole Chicken

This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is by far the juiciest chicken I have ever made! This tender chicken is rubbed with fresh herbs and infused with lemon and garlic for a flavorful main dish that’s ready in about an hour! It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want a great-tasting meal with minimal work and a short cooking time.

I’m always looking for new recipes to use with my air fryer. When I first got it, I basically used it to cook frozen tater tots or french fries. However, I soon learned you can make all sorts of things in the air fryer, from appetizers like Cornmeal Breaded Zucchini Chips to desserts like Blueberry Hand Pies. The possibilities are wide and varied!

A Healthy and Delicious Meal 

Plain roasted chicken might be good for you, but it’s also kind of boring. Jazz up a bird by adding a favorite rub, dry brine, or fresh herbs to add plenty of flavor.

Then, serve your chicken with a pasta salad, roasted vegetables, or some delicious mashed potatoes!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Whole Chicken

To make a chicken in the air fryer, you’ll need these simple ingredients:

Whole chicken (look for one that weighs about 5 pounds)

Butter (or you can use olive oil)

Kosher salt

Ground black pepper

Crushed dried sage

Thyme

A lemon, cut in half

A head of garlic, cut in half

Check the recipe card below for exact amounts of each ingredient.

How to make a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

This easy recipe for a whole roast chicken has only a few simple steps and a few minutes of prep time. Here’s how to make it:

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, sage, and thyme.

Place the chicken on a clean cutting board and pat it completely dry with paper towels.

Place the chicken breast side down and tuck the wings up and behind themselves. Turn the chicken over and tie the legs together with kitchen twine, if necessary. (I don’t always do this, but it does help prevent the legs from catching when I open the drawer to flip or remove it from the air fryer.)

Rub chicken all over with the melted butter or olive oil. Then rub the seasoning blend/spice mixture all over the chicken skin, placing some into the inside as well.

Place the breast side of the chicken down into the air fryer basket. If you have a fryer basket that can be removed, take it out and set the chicken into the base. This will allow for more air circulation and space. Place both halves of the lemon and head of garlic into the basket around the chicken.

Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F and the timer to 35 minutes.

After 35 minutes, flip the chicken over by inserting some long tongs into the center of it, and place it breast side up. Cook it for another 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer measures the internal temperature at 165°F.

Let the entire chicken rest on a clean cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing or serving. This will help keep that juicy meat from drying out.

FAQs

How long to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?

It takes just under an hour to cook the chicken this way. The actual time will vary depending on the weight of the chicken.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking the chicken?

There is no need to preheat before air frying– just pop the chicken in and cook!

Do I have to flip the chicken halfway through cooking?

Yes, to ensure even cooking, you’ll need to flip it halfway through.

Can I cook a frozen chicken in the air fryer without thawing it?

Yes, you can cook a chicken from frozen. Here’s how I recommend doing it:

First, prepare the chicken as directed, then place it breast-side UP in the fryer and cook at 350 for 10 minutes. Then remove any giblets that might be in the cavity.

Next, flip the chicken breast-side DOWN and cook for 25 minutes. Then flip once more, and cook again for another 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

Just remember different air fryer models cook differently, so go by the internal temp rather than the suggested cook time!

How can I get the skin a bit crispier?

Spray the chicken with olive oil about 10 minutes before it is done cooking for that extra crispy skin!

How do I store leftover Air Fryer Whole Chicken?

You can keep the chicken covered on a plate in the fridge, or slice off the meat and store it in an airtight container. The chicken will last for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze leftover chicken? 

Yes, let it cool to room temperature, then slice off any remaining meat and store it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you enjoyed this air fryer roast chicken, then it’s time to get adventurous with your air fryer! Try one of these recipes next time you pull out the air fryer:

Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs: Make your hardboiled eggs come out perfectly every time!

Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes: These are the perfect easy side dish for any meal!

Easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread: Skip the store-bought stuff and easily make your own garlic bread in the air fryer!

What’s your favorite thing to make in the air fryer?

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