Description
Learn how to cook a whole chicken in your air fryer for incredibly crispy skin and moist, tender meat. This simple recipe delivers rotisserie-style results in under an hour, making it a perfect weeknight main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
Instructions
- Remove the whole chicken from its packaging. Take out any giblets or neck pieces from the cavity. Pat the entire chicken very dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to create your seasoning rub.
- Rub the olive oil all over the outside of the chicken. Then, generously coat the entire surface of the chicken with the seasoning mix.
- Place the seasoned chicken directly into the air fryer basket, breast-side up. If your air fryer is small, you may need to tie the legs together with kitchen twine to help it fit better.
- Set your air fryer temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Cook the chicken for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes, carefully pull out the basket and flip the chicken over using tongs.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius). Continue cooking for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
- Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving. This resting time keeps the meat juicy.
Notes
- For the juiciest inside, make sure your chicken is completely dry before seasoning.
- If your air fryer model is large enough, you can stuff the cavity with half a lemon and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for added flavor.
- If the skin browns too quickly before the inside is done, loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz cooked
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 45
- Cholesterol: 140