Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer! It's a great way to make a whole chicken that's tender, juicy, and flavourful with irresistibly crispy skin. It's also a quick and easy method that yields impressive results. You can use a basket-style or oven-style air fryer, and some recipes even include a rotisserie function. The size of your air fryer and chicken will determine how you cook it, but the general steps involve seasoning the chicken, preheating the air fryer, and cooking the chicken for around 30-60 minutes, depending on its size.

Air fryer rotisserie chicken recipes

Yes, you can cook a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer! It's an easy and quick way to cook a whole chicken, and you will be amazed by how delicious it is. The air fryer is the best way to cook a small-to-medium-sized whole chicken. The meat is juicy and the skin is extra crispy and flavourful, just like rotisserie chicken.

Ingredients

• Medium or small chicken (under 4.5 pounds/2 kilos) in weight
• Olive oil or avocado oil spray
• Lemon
• Salt
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• White pepper
• Black pepper
• Cayenne
• Garlic powder
• Honey and soy (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees F (175-182 degrees C).
• Combine all the seasonings with the oil in a small bowl to make a paste.
• Clean out the cavity of the chicken and place half a lemon inside.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
• Use a basting brush to coat the chicken with the spice paste.
• Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 30-45 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for a further 10-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-20 minutes before carving.

You can also add a honey and soy glaze to the chicken during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a shiny and crispy skin!

How to get crispy skin

To get the crispiest skin on your rotisserie chicken, there are a few tricks you can use. Firstly, ensure that you pat the chicken dry with paper towels before adding any seasoning. This will help the rub or paste adhere better and promote crispy skin.

Next, you can truss the chicken with butcher's twine. This technique keeps the chicken compact and ensures even cooking, resulting in crispy skin. Additionally, you can tie the legs together with butcher's twine to make handling the chicken easier when transferring it in and out of the air fryer.

Another tip for achieving crispy skin is to use a glaze. A honey and soy glaze, brushed on the chicken during the last 5 minutes of cooking, will give the skin a beautiful shine and extra crispness.

Finally, it is essential to rest the chicken after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy, and it also gives the skin a chance to crisp up further.

By following these tips, you can enjoy rotisserie chicken with irresistibly crispy skin, cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

How to ensure juicy meat

To ensure your rotisserie chicken is juicy when cooked in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This will help the rub stick to the chicken and ensure the skin gets crispy. Tuck the wings under the chicken. Next, make your rub by combining your chosen seasonings with oil or ghee in a small bowl to make a paste. You can also add vinegar and garlic to the mix. Use a basting brush to coat the breast side of the chicken with half of the seasoning rub.

Now, place the chicken in the air fryer basket breast side down. Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the rub. If your air fryer allows, remove the grate from the bottom of the fryer. This will allow for a bigger chicken, and the breast will marinate in the juices as it cooks.

If you want the crispiest skin and most even cooking, truss the chicken with butcher's twine. If you don't want to fully truss the chicken, you can tie the legs together to make it easier to handle.

Finally, to ensure your chicken is juicy, let it rest for 10–20 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to relax and redistribute, keeping the meat nice and juicy.

How long to cook for

The cooking time for an air fryer rotisserie chicken depends on the size of the chicken and the wattage, model, and size of the air fryer. It is recommended to allow 12 to 15 minutes of cooking time per pound (450g) of chicken. Therefore, a 4-pound chicken will take around 48 to 60 minutes to cook, while a 5-pound chicken will take 50 to 75 minutes.

Some recipes recommend cooking the chicken breast side down for the first half of the cooking time, and then flipping it over to cook breast side up for the remaining time. This helps ensure even cooking and allows the breast meat to marinate in the juices released during cooking.

When using the rotisserie function, one source recommends cooking a 5-pound chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 60 minutes. Another source suggests cooking a 3-4 pound chicken at 360°F (182°C) for 50 minutes, flipping it over, and then cooking for an additional 10 minutes.

It is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. The chicken is done when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reaches 165°F (74°C). It is recommended to let the chicken rest for 10 to 20 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender final product.

How to reheat

Yes, you can cook a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer. The air fryer is a great way to make a whole chicken, and it's super easy! The meat is juicy, and the skin is extra crispy and flavorful, just like rotisserie-style chicken.

Reheating leftover rotisserie chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get that freshly roasted chicken taste and texture. Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the leftover chicken parts in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as the exact time will depend on the amount of chicken and your air fryer's power.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Your rotisserie chicken will taste like it was just cooked! The air fryer will crisp up the skin and make it delicious. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions