Frying Whole Chicken In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can fry a whole chicken in an air fryer! It's a great way to cook a whole chicken, as the air fryer keeps the meat tender and juicy, while also crisping up the skin. It's also a quick and easy way to cook a whole chicken, with most recipes taking less than an hour.

Choosing the right oil

Smoke Point

The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it starts to break down and emit smoke. Using an oil with a higher smoke point than your cooking temperature is essential to prevent the oil from burning and affecting the taste of your food. For example, avocado oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil have high smoke points, making them suitable for air frying.

Food Type

The type of food you are cooking will also determine the best oil to use. If you are cooking something with a strong flavour, such as chicken or fish, you may want to choose a neutral-tasting oil that won't overpower the dish. Oils like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and organic virgin sesame oil are good choices for this. On the other hand, if you are cooking something milder like vegetables, you might opt for a more fragrant oil to enhance the flavour, such as extra virgin olive oil or organic cooking sunflower oil.

Oil Quantity

Air fryers use significantly less oil than traditional deep frying or sautéing methods. A little oil goes a long way in an air fryer, and you only need enough to lightly coat your food. You can brush or spray your food with oil, ensuring an even coating. This helps to add colour and moisture to your dish without using excessive amounts of oil.

Oil Type

In addition to the smoke point and flavour considerations, the type of oil you choose can also impact the texture of your food. Oils that store and transmit heat well, such as avocado oil or sunflower oil, will give your food a crispier texture. You can also use oil sprays in your air fryer, but be sure to choose a non-aerosol, non-propellant option to avoid damaging the air fryer basket.

Seasoning options

Seasoning a whole chicken before air frying is essential to add flavour to the skin. You can use a favourite store-bought seasoning blend, or make your own.

A simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder is a great option. You can also add your own choice of extra seasonings, such as onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary.

For a more Italian flavour, add some extra oregano and basil, or use Italian seasoning and add extra virgin olive oil. You could also use a dry rub like ranch or Italian dressing, or French onion soup mix.

If you're using the chicken for Mexican dishes, try cumin, chilli powder, garlic, smoked paprika, or a taco or fajita seasoning blend. For an Asian twist, use five-spice powder.

Other seasoning ideas include lemon pepper, or a coffee barbecue seasoning made by combining four teaspoons of barbecue rub with two teaspoons of instant coffee.

Don't forget to season generously, and make sure you cover all parts of the chicken.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for air-frying a whole chicken depend on the weight of the chicken and the size of the air fryer.

For a 3-4 lbs chicken, it is recommended to cook it for 45-60 minutes at 350°F (180°C). Flip the chicken after 30 minutes and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

For a 4-5 lbs chicken, it is recommended to cook it for about an hour at 360°F (182°C). Start with the chicken breast-side down and cook for 30 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Finally, flip the chicken again so that it is breast-side up and cook for a further 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the wattage and size of your air fryer, as well as the size of your chicken. Always use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.

Additionally, it is recommended to let the chicken rest for 5-15 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to reabsorb into the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender final product.

Resting the chicken

If you are in a hurry, you can place the chicken in the basket and cover it, or remove it and tent it with foil. This will keep the chicken warm while it rests.

The internal temperature of the chicken will continue to rise by 1-3 degrees after it has been removed from the air fryer. So, it is important to remove the chicken from the heat before it reaches the desired internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast or thigh area, and make sure it is away from the bone.

If you are using a smaller chicken, it may only need to rest for 5 minutes. However, if you are cooking a larger chicken, it is recommended to let it rest for closer to 15 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Now that you've cooked your whole chicken in an air fryer, it's time to think about how to serve it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sides

• Roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans, asparagus, or cauliflower. You can even pour the chicken drippings over your veggies and cook them in the air fryer while the chicken rests.
• Mashed potatoes
• A side salad
• Rice
• Kale, either rubbed or in a Caprese salad
• Gazpacho (in summer)
• Roasted root vegetables (in fall), such as parsnips, carrots, and sweet potatoes

Dishes

You can use the chicken in soups, casseroles, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, pastas, or salads. Here are some specific dish ideas:

• Chicken noodle soup
• Chicken taco soup
• White chili
• Basil Pesto
• Chicken Caesar wraps
• Avocado chicken salad
• Chicken spaghetti bake
• Cheesy chicken bacon and broccoli ranch pasta
• Queso chicken skillet
• Chicken sandwiches
• Chicken salad
• Enchiladas
• Chicken noodle soup
• Chicken tacos
• Chicken burrito bowls
• Chicken pasta
• Chicken salad

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, remove the meat from the carcass and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also save the carcass for broth. To reheat, pop it in the microwave and refresh the flavors with a little salt and pepper, or make a quick gravy to serve on top.

Frequently asked questions