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    Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

    Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

    Posted On February 3, 2022 By Mirlene Last updated February 3, 2022 23 Comments

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    air fryer whole chicken pinterest pin

    Here’s a chicken dinner that everyone will love and crave. Perfectly cooked air fryer whole chicken for an easy weeknight dinner. This air fried chicken is juicy and crispy, making it an ideal choice for entertaining.

    • whole chicken on wooden board

    For A Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Recipe

    This air fryer whole chicken is juicy on the inside and very crispy on the outside. The skin is cooked to a golden crisp from the olive oil, leaving you with the right amount of layer desirable skin.

    Ingredients

    This post has been updated to include new pictures. A slight variation was also made to the recipe. The new recipe includes the following ingredients only. This post now includes two different methods to choose from. The more the merrier!

    • Whole chicken – This recipe calls for a 5 lb. whole chicken. We highly recommend you use a bird that will fit in your air fryer basket.
    • Garlic and onion powder – Provides a robust garlicky and onion flavor and compliments the herbs.
    • Salt and lemon pepper – To season the meat. We used kosher salt in this recipe and lemon pepper seasoning.
    • Paprika – We use it to help add color to the meat. It also has a sweet mild flavor.
    • Olive oil – This will help the dry seasoning stick to the chicken. 
    • Cooked Roasted chicken in the air fryer

    The original recipe ingredients (and recipe video) to make this air fryer whole chicken is listed below.

    • Whole chicken – This recipe calls for a 5 lb. whole chicken. Be sure that the bird size will fit in your air fryer basket.
    • Bell peppers & Onion (optional) – the bell pepper and onion are used to stuff in the chicken. They also help to flavor the chicken as it cooks.
    • Garlic powder – Provides a robust garlicky flavor and compliments the herbs.
    • Salt and pepper – To season the meat. I used kosher salt in this recipe and ground peppercorn.
    • Paprika – I use it to help add color to the meat. It also has a sweet mild flavor.
    • Melted butter & herbs – To base the bird halfway through to provide a crispy layer.
    • Olive oil spray – To spray the basket.

    Spatchcock Method – How To Spatchcock A Chicken

    Dating back to the 18th-centry in Ireland, to spatchcock a chicken, one would remove the backbone from the tail to the neck of the bird.

    This method allows the bird to lay flat – opened, similar to butterfly. This allows the chicken to cook faster, which in term shorten the cooking time.

    Spatchcocking also allow you to better season the bird.

    The process to spatchcock your chicken is very simple. You will need a good pair of scissors or sharp knife.

    To spatchcock a chicken….

    • chicken on wooden board

    Prepare the bird by cleaning it and removing all the gunk and visible fat. Remove the neck and gizzard. Remove the parts or discard the chicken parts.

    Place the chicken on a cutting board and turn the chicken over on the stomach. Take the scissors / shears and cut the chicken from the tail to the neck on both sides.

    Next, press down firmly to break the breastbone. Clip the tip of the wings, if desired, and that’s it. You have successfully spatchcock your chicken.

    How To Prepare The Rub?

    The method is simple.  In a mixing bowl, combine the salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika together. Set aside.

    Cooking Method

    After you have butterflied your chicken or spatchcock your chicken, wash the chicken well.

    To clean the chicken thoroughly, check out our poulet en sauce recipe for full step by step on how to wash the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Next, place the chicken on a plate or in the air frying basket.

    In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients well.

    Rub olive oil over the chicken to help the seasoning stick to the meat.

    Use your hands or spoon and apply the seasoning all over the meat (“inside” and “out”).   

    Air fry the whole chicken at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Baste the chicken with the melted butter and herbs, if desired or simply apply olive oil on the chicken to keep it crispy. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy. 

    Rotisserie chicken can be served with your favorite mashed potatoes, garden salad, or if you prefer rice, you can serve it with a side of this Haitian black rice.

    How to roast the chicken in the air fryer?

    Wash and pat the chicken dry. I have a step by step method on how I clean chicken in this Poulet en sauce recipe.

    Place the chicken in a large bowl. Cut the onions and peppers into large pieces and stuff them inside the chicken.

    Apply the rub all over the chicken.

    Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.

    Place the chicken breast down in the basket, then cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

    Meanwhile melt the butter and mix in the herbs in a small bowl.

    Whole Chicken facing side up

    Baste the chicken with the melted butter and herbs mixture. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.

    Oven Method

    Cooking any bird in the oven can be intimating. Especially if this is your first time. I always stick to the 350 degrees “rule” when I am not sure of what to do. However, as I became more comfortable, I have ventured off that rule a bit. To properly cook a whole bird in the oven without any fuss, below are the basic steps.

    • First, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
    • Second, once the oven reaches the temperature above, place the chicken in a roasting pan. Season the chicken. If all fails, salt and pepper always work great.
    • Turn the bird breast down, bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, uncovered. Be sure to read the packaging label as it sometimes will give you the exact time to cook the bird per pound.
    • Baste the chicken a couple times while it’s cooking with the juice that it releases or with melted butter for a crispy layer.

    How long does it take to air fry a chicken?

    Chicken usually roast for 90 minutes in the oven depending on the size, or until the temperature in the center of a thigh, not touching the bone, registers 185°F on an instant-read meat thermometer.

    Typically, it is 20 minutes per pound to roast a whole chicken in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Although when roasting, the best temperature to use is 400 degrees; however, the rules change as it is applied to meat.

    Be mindful for this recipe the whole chicken will cook for 50 minutes in the air fryer.

    Other ways to make rotisserie chicken

    If you a fan of slow cooked meals, then you’ll love to know that you can also make slow cooker rotisserie chicken right in your instant pot. Using the same rub stated above and in the recipe card, place the chicken on the instant pot rack, cover and seal, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

    Slow cook recipes are always a great alternative as it requires no attention.

    cutting chicken leg with a knife

    Chicken Serving Suggestions

    When you’re ready to eat, cut the chicken up and serve it with your favorite side. We love this air fryer whole chicken with all of these recipes:

    • Haitian red beans and rice
    • Roasted beets
    • Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms
    • Sautéed Bok Choy

    Air Frying Tips

    • You can use the rub to marinate the chicken overnight. While the whole chicken marinades, occasionally turn the bird to make sure it is well coated while in the fridge.
    • Allow the chicken to cook. Only base after 30 minutes of cooking time. This will help the moisture to remain and the chicken to cook evenly.
    • Do not use a baking bag as it is not needed in the air fryer.
    • Always make sure that the thermometer reads 165 degrees or higher instantly as you insert it into the thickest part of the chicken without touching bone.

    Other air fryer dishes

    Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe 

    Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken and Waffles 

    Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Fajita Skewers 

    Other Chicken Recipes You Might Enjoy

    Haitian Fried Chicken 

    Haitian Chicken Tacos

    Deep Fried Chicken Wings 

    Chicken Fried Steak

    chicken cut into pieces

    By the way, it warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe.

    Tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!

    roasted chicken in the air fryer

    Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

    Savory Thoughts
    This easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken is roasted to perfection and is perfect for a busy weeknight meal. The chicken is ready in less than an hour as well as it is juicy with the crispiest skin. Requires a few simple ingredients.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 138 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 Lbs. Whole Chicken Spatchcock; See Notes
    • 1 Tbsp. Lemon Pepper Seasoning Base
    • 1 ½ Tsp. Onion Powder
    • 1 ½ Tsp. Garlic Powder
    • 1 Tbsp. Paprika
    • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

    Original Recipe For The Ingredients

    • 5 Lbs. Whole Chicken giblets removed
    • ½ 1 Bell Pepper Optional
    • 1 Small Onion Optional
    • Olive Oil Spray

    Original Recipe For The Rub

    • 1 ½ Tsp. Garlic Powder
    • 2 Tsp. Kosher Salt
    • 1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Paprika

    Original Recipe For the Baste

    • 2 Tbsp. Melted Butter Unsalted
    • 1 Tbsp. Fresh Parsley Chopped
    • 1 Tbsp. Fresh Thyme Chopped; Dried herbs are fine to use.

    Instructions
     

    • Clean the chicken thoroughly. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Next, place the chicken on a plate or in the air frying basket. 
      In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients well. 
      Rub olive oil over the chicken to help the seasoning stick to the meat.
      Use your hands or spoon and apply the seasoning all over the meat (“inside” and “out”).   
      Air fry the whole chicken at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Baste the chicken with the melted butter and herbs, if desired or simply apply olive oil on the chicken to keep it crispy. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy. 
      Spatchcock on wooden board.

    Original Directions For The Rub (Optional Method)

    • In a mixing bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika together. Set aside. 
      Seasoned chicken in air fryer basket

    Original Directions For The Chicken (Optional Method)

    • Wash and pat the chicken dry. Be sure to remove the giblets.
      Place the chicken in a large bowl. Cut the onions and peppers into large pieces and stuff them inside the chicken. Next, apply the rub all over the chicken.
      Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the chicken breast down in the basket, then cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Within one minute remaining, melt the butter and mix in the herbs in a small bowl.
      Whole Chicken facing side up
    • Baste the chicken with the melted butter and herbs mixture. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy. 
      roasted chicken in the air fryer

    Video

    Notes

    This air fryer whole chicken recipe was originally posted on June 9, 2018. The pictures and ingredients were updated, video is also included. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4gCalories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 3.5gProtein: 6.1gFat: 11.5gSaturated Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 472mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 1.5gCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.9mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kytn Embree

      August 31, 2022 at 10:25 pm

      5 stars
      I’m new to air frying so I look for recipes and I came across yours. I read your edits, watched the video and felt pretty good. I did tweak the recipe a bit. I like some heat so used smoked paprika and some chili flakes.
      I didn’t have the thyme so I used basil and rosemary as my baste.
      I used your time and temp and when the timer went off i grabbed the thermometer and it was spot on. I let it rest and then when I cut into it I was amazed by how juicy it was.

      My roommate doesn’t eat anything near a bone and has no interest in a whole chicken but several times during the cook he mentioned how good it smells lol
      When I came in with my plate he said it looks good. Go make a plate and he did. Not only did he eat everything but he said that this definitely needs to be made again.

      Your amazing! Ty so much for a great (easy to follow) recipe. I’ll definitely be doing this again and I’m pretty excited to check out other air fryer recipes you have

      Be safe

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 07, 2022 at 3:57 pm

        Thank you so much Kytn. You have made our day with this comment. I am so glad you guys liked the recipe and found it easy to follow. Please be safe as well.

        Reply
    2. Carol

      August 23, 2021 at 7:38 pm

      Hi, I just came home with a Krux air fryer, started goggling recipes and landed on your website. Haha! You have the same air fryer, so this looks like the place to be. Looking forward to learning how to air fry with your recipes. Thanks in advance!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 24, 2021 at 1:04 pm

        hahaha I really do love the Crux air fryer. Thank you so much for stopping by. It’s very easy to use. Happy cooking 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jo

      May 28, 2020 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      I’ve been sitting on the fence regarding getting the air fryer but really really want one now. The chicken looks so moist and succulent!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 28, 2020 at 10:28 pm

        Thank you, Jo!

        Reply
    4. Shashi

      May 28, 2020 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      Wow – love he spices you added ~ your chicken looks so juicy! so delish!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 28, 2020 at 10:28 pm

        Thanks, Shashi.

        Reply
    5. Anjali

      May 28, 2020 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      Love the seasoning in this dish! It makes the chicken so flavorful!

      Reply
    6. Farah Maizar

      May 28, 2020 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      Incredible! No idea you could air fry an entire chicken but you just made my dinner plans so much easier. Unbelievably excited to try this!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 28, 2020 at 10:29 pm

        The air fryer is amazing!

        Reply
    7. Noelle

      May 28, 2020 at 3:13 am

      5 stars
      This was great! Loved it and the flavors, perfect with some veggies 🙂

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 28, 2020 at 10:29 pm

        Thank you, Noelle.

        Reply
    8. Jena Leigh

      June 10, 2018 at 11:40 pm

      Omgosh I would love to roast a chicken for my fambam cause they are totally meat eaters. I think I’ll buy 2 in case I mess one up lol?

      Reply
      • MDesir

        June 18, 2018 at 6:22 pm

        hahahha I’m pretty sure you will not mess it up. Let me know the outcome!

        Reply
    9. Cindy Gordon

      June 10, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      The curry seasoning makes the dish! Oh so yummmmmy!

      Reply
    10. David @ Cooking Chat

      June 10, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      Love curry flavor but haven’t tried it on a whole roasted chicken. Sounds tasty!

      Reply
    11. Kiki Johnson

      June 10, 2018 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      I’ll be on the lookout for this Jamaican curry powder you are using! We have a Caribbean Food Store around the corner and I am pretty sure they would have it! The chicken looks divine and I cannot wait to try it!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        June 10, 2018 at 6:28 pm

        Wonderful! You will most likely find it or something similar. I would love for you to come back and comment on your result. Thanks for reading, Kiki!

        Reply
    12. Danielle

      June 10, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the seasonings you have used here. This is a great way to make chicken a bit more exciting.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        June 10, 2018 at 6:26 pm

        Definitely! Thank you, Danielle.

        Reply
    13. Jenni LeBaron

      June 10, 2018 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      It’s been far too long since I’ve roasted my own chicken. I love your curry rub so this would be perfect for dinner soon!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        June 10, 2018 at 6:26 pm

        Thank you, Jenni. Hope you enjoy dinner when you do make it.

        Reply

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