Air-Fried Roast Chicken: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and cooking a roast chicken in one is a great way to make a simple roast dinner with minimal washing up. The results are surprisingly good, with super-crisp golden skin and juicy meat. You can cook a whole roast chicken with roast potatoes and vegetables in an air fryer in less than 90 minutes. The size of the chicken you use will depend on the size of your air fryer, and you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Air Fryer Roast Chicken Characteristics

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for roast chicken in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken and the air fryer. It is important to check that your air fryer will fit a whole chicken as air fryer sizes vary. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken.

For a 1.5 kg chicken, cook at 180°C/350°F for 45-50 minutes. For the first 30 minutes, the chicken should be breast-side down; then, flip it over and cook for another 15-20 minutes. You can check if the chicken is cooked by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh. If the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked.

For a 1.4 kg chicken, cook breast-side down for 40 minutes, then breast-side up for 20 minutes at 180°C/350°F.

For a 1.9 kg chicken, cook breast-side down for 30 minutes, then breast-side up for 30 minutes at 180°C/350°F.

For larger chickens, you may need to increase the temperature and cooking time. For example, for a 6.5-pound chicken, cook for 30 minutes at 400°F, then turn it over and cook for another 30 minutes at 370-400°F. Finally, cook for an additional 5 minutes at 350°F.

If you are cooking chicken halves or pieces, the cooking time and temperature will be different. For chicken halves, cut a whole chicken into two halves with strong scissors or a boning knife. Place them in the air fryer and cook at 180°C for 45 minutes, checking every 5 minutes after that until the chicken is cooked through. For chicken pieces, use 2 chicken thighs or drumsticks per person. Spread a paste made from butter, olive oil, lemon juice, and thyme leaves over the chicken pieces. Cook at 180°C for 10 minutes, then turn and cook for another 12-15 minutes until crispy and golden.

Chicken size

The size of the chicken you use in your air fryer will depend on the size of your air fryer. It is important to check that your air fryer will fit a whole chicken as air fryer sizes vary. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken. For example, a Ninja Max air fryer can fit a 1.5 kg chicken, while a user comment mentions cooking a 1.4 kg chicken in an Instant Pot Vortex Slim air fryer. Another user comment mentions cooking a 6.5-pound (roughly 3 kg) chicken in their air fryer, but the specific model is not mentioned.

If you are cooking halves or pieces of chicken, you can use a bigger chicken and cut it down to size. To do this, use strong scissors or a boning knife to cut down the spine, then flip over and cut down the middle of the breast, leaving you with two halves. For pieces, use two chicken thighs or drumsticks per person.

It is important to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your chicken. A meat thermometer can be helpful to take the guesswork out of cooking time, but the air fryer also allows you to periodically check on the chicken without issues.

Spices and seasoning

Classic Flavours

For a traditional roast chicken flavour, you can't go wrong with a combination of garlic, thyme, and lemon. The moisture from the lemon will help keep the meat juicy and tender, while the garlic and thyme add a delightful aroma and taste. To use this combination, simply season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper, inside and out. Then, rub the outside of the chicken with oil or butter, ensuring it is completely coated. Place the garlic and most of the thyme inside the cavity of the chicken, along with a pierced lemon.

Spicy Kick

If you prefer a spicier kick to your roast chicken, create a spice mix with ingredients like paprika, dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix these spices with oil, and generously coat the chicken with the mixture. This spice blend will give your roast chicken a beautiful golden colour and a delicious flavour.

Herby Aromatics

For a more herby and aromatic flavour profile, try a combination of oregano and rosemary. This duo creates a fragrant and savoury taste that complements the chicken perfectly. You can also add some olive oil and lemon juice to create a paste, which you can then spread over the chicken before cooking. This mixture will keep the chicken moist and juicy.

Custom Creations

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with your own spice blends! Try mixing and matching different spices and herbs to find your perfect combination. For example, you could try adding some smoked paprika to your spice mix for a deeper, smokier flavour. Alternatively, stuff your chicken with Boursin cheese for a creamy and indulgent twist.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to be generous and ensure the chicken is evenly coated. You can use your hands or a brush to apply the spice mixture, and don't forget to reserve some for the second coating after flipping the chicken. Always ensure your chicken is at room temperature before seasoning and cooking, and let it rest for a few minutes after cooking for the juices to redistribute.

Vegetables

When cooking roast chicken in an air fryer, you can also cook vegetables at the same time. This makes it a great option for a simple roast dinner with minimal washing up.

You can cook almost all vegetables in an air fryer. Some vegetables that work well include potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, kale, parsnips, sweet potatoes, onions, and Brussels sprouts.

To prepare the vegetables, you can peel and cut them into small cubes or pieces. You can also add seasoning to the vegetables. For example, you can use a spice rub with salt, pepper, and thyme.

When cooking the vegetables in the air fryer, you should shake the basket once or twice during cooking to help the veggies crisp more evenly. You can also flip the vegetables halfway through the cooking process to ensure they cook well on all sides.

Gravy

Yes, you can cook a roast chicken in an air fryer. It is a great way to keep the meat juicy and get a crispy skin.

Making gravy to go with your roast chicken is simple. You can use the juices from the chicken to add flavour. If you have giblets, you can use these to make giblet gravy. You can also add vegetables to your gravy, such as roasted garlic, or carrots, which can be blended into the gravy.

To make the gravy, you will need to create a cornstarch slurry by combining equal parts cornstarch and water. You can then add this to the chicken juices and stir until thickened. You can also add stock, and seasoning to taste.

If you are making a larger quantity of gravy, you may want to transfer the chicken juices to a pan to make the gravy, rather than using the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions