Healthy, Oil-Free Fried Chicken: Whole Bird In An Air Fryer

Oil-less fryers, such as the Big Boss Chicken Oil-Less Fryer, are a great way to cook a whole chicken. The fryer combines halogen heat, convection, and infrared technology to cook the chicken in about an hour. The result is a moist and tender chicken with a crispy coating on the skin. The Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer is another popular option that can be used to cook a whole chicken. This fryer has only one heat setting: On. To use this fryer, you would need to inject the chicken with seasoning and cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. You can also use an air fryer to make a crispy whole chicken that stays tender and juicy.

Cooking a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer

Dry brining

Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer. The Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer is an energy-efficient tabletop cooker that combines halogen heat, convection, and infrared technology to cook a whole chicken in about an hour. The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer is another option.

Firstly, prepare a brine solution by dissolving roughly one tablespoon of cooking salt per cup of water. Natural salts, such as kosher salt or Himalayan pink salt, are recommended over table salt to minimize the risk of oversalting. You can also add herbs and spices to the brine, such as bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, rosemary, or star anise.

Next, place the whole chicken in the brine solution, ensuring the legs and breasts are facing down. Leave the chicken in the brine for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. If you are short on time, dry brining for just 30 minutes can still make a significant difference in the juiciness and flavour of your chicken.

Once the chicken has finished brining, remove it from the brine and rinse it under water to remove any excess salt. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel. This step is important to ensure the chicken skin becomes crispy when fried.

After patting the chicken dry, brush or spray it with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper or any desired spice mixture. You can also create a paste by adding oil to the seasoning powder mix.

Injecting flavour

First, prepare the injection marinade. A basic marinade typically consists of a butter-based mixture, including ingredients such as melted butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic powder, pepper, and other seasonings. You can whisk these ingredients together to create a flavourful blend. You can also purchase pre-made injection marinades or flavour boosters online or from specialty food stores.

Once you have your marinade ready, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Inject the marinade into the chicken at a 45-degree angle, about every inch to two inches. Be sure to inject the breasts, as this part of the chicken tends to dry out during cooking. You can optionally inject the legs, but darker meat usually stays juicier.

After injecting the chicken, let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the flavours to permeate the meat. You can also apply a dry brine during this time for added moisture and flavour. Additionally, you can sprinkle some chicken seasoning on the surface and tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine to make it easier to handle later.

Finally, place the chicken in the oil-less fryer, such as the Big Boss or Big Easy model, and cook it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remember to exercise caution when removing the chicken from the fryer, as it will be very hot. Let the chicken rest for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and give you a juicy, tender, and flavourful roast chicken.

Cooking time

Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the model of the fryer, but it typically takes around an hour.

For example, the Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer cooks a whole chicken in about an hour. This fryer is a tabletop cooker that combines halogen heat, convection, and infrared technology. It is worth noting that some users have reported that the batch sizes are too small for larger families.

The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer is another option for cooking whole chickens. This fryer has only one heat setting: "On". While there is no specified cooking time, users have reported standing the chicken on a beer can to cook it evenly, and flipping it over halfway through cooking.

When using an air fryer, preheat the fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the chicken in the basket breast side down and cook undisturbed for 45 minutes. The chicken will have a crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.

Regardless of the fryer used, it is important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before removing it from the fryer. Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Internal temperature

The internal temperature of a whole chicken cooked in an oil-less fryer should reach 165 °F in the breasts and 175 °F in the thighs. This can take about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on weather conditions and the size of the chicken. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

It is important to note that the chicken should be cooked until the juices run clear and there is no pink meat visible at the bone. This can be achieved by cooking the chicken at a higher temperature for a shorter time, such as 425 °F for 50 to 60 minutes in a conventional oven.

When using an oil-less fryer, it is recommended to dry brine the chicken first to add moisture and then inject it with flavors. The chicken can then be placed in the fryer basket with the breast side up and cooked until the desired internal temperature is reached.

After cooking, it is important to let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the internal temperature to continue cooking the chicken and raise it to the target temperature. During this time, the chicken will also become more tender and juicy.

It is worth noting that the cook time may vary depending on the specific cooker and the outside air temperature. Additionally, the Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer, a popular choice for this cooking method, has only one heat setting: "On". Therefore, it is important to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches the desired level without overcooking.

Beer can stand

Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in an oiless fryer. One of the most popular recipes for this cooking method is beer-can chicken. This recipe can be cooked with or without beer in the can. The beer can stand should be tall enough to hold the chicken and wide enough that it doesn't tip over easily. The chicken is placed in the roaster basket and lowered into the cooking chamber. The fryer should be powered on and set to full power.

The beer can-chicken recipe involves placing a whole chicken over a can of beer with the legs facing down. The chicken should be standing on the can. The beer may foam up when seasonings are added to the can. The chicken is then placed directly on a preheated grill and cooked until the juices run clear. This method of cooking chicken produces a tender and juicy inside with a crispy outside. The chicken is cooked evenly, which prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.

It is important to note that the chicken should not be removed from the beer can holder after cooking. Instead, the meat should be carved off the bird while it is still standing upright in the stand. The inside of the oven should also be thoroughly wiped down after cooking to remove any grease.

Some recipes suggest using oil, butter, or a BBQ rub to season the chicken before cooking. However, a simple recipe might just use olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper.

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