Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy meat with crispy skin. Here is a general method and tips based on multiple expert recipes:
Ingredients
- Whole chicken (3.5 to 5 pounds is common)
- Oil (olive oil or avocado oil)
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and other herbs/spices as preferred)
Preparation
- Remove giblets from the cavity and pat the chicken dry.
- Rub the chicken with oil to help seasoning stick and promote crispy skin.
- Season the chicken inside and out, including under the skin if possible.
- Optionally, tuck wings behind the back and tie legs for even cooking.
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
- Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for about 30-40 minutes.
- Flip the chicken breast-side up and cook for another 15-30 minutes.
- Total cooking time is generally 45-60 minutes depending on chicken size and air fryer model.
- The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
Tips
- Let the chicken rest 5-20 minutes before carving to retain juices.
- For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure safe doneness.
- Remove any excess skin or fat around the cavity for better results.
- You can use the drippings for cooking vegetables or making gravy.
This method produces a whole chicken with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, comparable to rotisserie style, but faster and easier with less mess
