Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer. It's an easy, quick, and healthy way to cook a whole chicken, and you'll be blown away by how delicious it is! The air fryer is the best way to cook a small-to-medium-sized chicken as it's super fast, energy-efficient, and creates juicy meat with a crispy skin.

Choosing the right air fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're versatile, convenient, and can cook a wide variety of foods to crispy perfection with minimal oil. When choosing the right air fryer, there are several factors to consider, including price, capacity, features, and type.

Price:

Air fryers can range in price from around $30 to over $400. However, most air fryers tend to be in the $100 range, so you don't have to break the bank to get a high-performing model.

Capacity:

Air fryers come in different sizes, from small 2-quart models to larger ones with a capacity of 5 quarts or more. Consider how many people you typically cook for and choose a size that will accommodate your needs. Keep in mind that larger air fryers may also require more counter space.

Features:

Some air fryers come with advanced features such as dehydration, baking, and rotisserie cooking, allowing you to combine the functionality of multiple appliances into one device. Others have preset buttons for specific foods, keep warm functions, and indicators for when to check on your food. Consider which features are most important to you and choose a model that offers those options.

Types of Air Fryers:

There are two primary types of air fryers: basket-style and oven-style. Basket-style air fryers, also known as solo air fryers, are the most basic and budget-friendly option. They typically have a cylindrical base with a basket for food and can be controlled by digital or manual dials. Oven-style air fryers, or multi-ovens, are similar to toaster ovens with additional features. They tend to be more expensive and high-tech, offering a wider range of cooking functions.

Other factors to consider when choosing an air fryer include noise level, ease of cleaning, and warranty. Some air fryers can be quite loud during operation, so look for models that prioritize quietness if that's important to you. Additionally, look for air fryers with removable, dishwasher-safe parts for easier cleaning. Finally, check the warranty period, as this can vary from 60 days to up to three years.

In summary, when choosing the right air fryer, consider your budget, the features you need, the capacity you require, and the type of air fryer that best suits your needs and preferences. By taking these factors into account, you can find an air fryer that will revolutionize your cooking experience.

Selecting the right chicken

Firstly, opt for a smaller chicken, ideally weighing under 4.5 pounds (2 kilos). This is especially important if your air fryer has a rotisserie function, as a smaller chicken will have sufficient space to rotate efficiently. If you're using an air fryer without a rotisserie spit, you can go for a slightly larger chicken, but always make sure it fits comfortably in the basket.

Secondly, consider the quality of the chicken. Whenever possible, choose organic, humanely raised chickens. This not only ensures better flavour and texture but also supports more sustainable and ethical farming practices. Look for labels indicating free-range or pasture-raised birds, as they tend to have better muscle development and flavour.

When selecting your chicken, pay attention to the colour of the skin. Look for plump, pale skin with a creamy yellow tone. Avoid chickens with dull, greyish skin, as this could indicate that the bird is older or has been frozen for a long time. Fresh, high-quality chicken will have moist skin that is slightly tacky to the touch.

Check the "best before" or "use by" dates on the packaging to ensure you're getting a fresh chicken. Sometimes, you might find chickens on sale that are close to their expiration date, but it's generally best to choose one with the latest date to maximize freshness.

Lastly, consider the type of chicken you want. Air frying is a versatile cooking method, and you can choose between a fryer chicken, which tends to be younger and more tender, or a roaster chicken, which is usually larger and has more developed flavour. For a rotisserie-style chicken, a fryer chicken might be a better option, as it will fit more easily in the air fryer and give you that juicy, tender meat we associate with rotisserie chicken.

Remember, the key to a successful rotisserie-style chicken in an air fryer is choosing a chicken that fits your appliance and your desired outcome in terms of size, weight, and quality.

Preparing the chicken

Once you have the right size chicken, it's time to prepare the seasoning. Most recipes suggest a blend of dried herbs and spices, including paprika, onion powder, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include additional ingredients like olive oil, red wine vinegar, avocado oil, or soy sauce, which help the seasonings stick to the chicken and add extra flavour.

After mixing your chosen seasonings, it's time to rub them onto the chicken. Use your hands or a basting brush to coat the chicken evenly, making sure to get inside the cavity as well as the outside. At this point, you can also tie the legs of the chicken together with butcher's twine, which makes it easier to handle and ensures even cooking.

Now your chicken is ready for the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F (175-195°C). Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd the basket. Cook for 25-30 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken over. Return the chicken to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken is juicy and tender.

And that's it! You've now prepared a delicious, crispy, and juicy rotisserie-style chicken in your air fryer.

Cooking the chicken

To make a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer, you will need a small bowl, an instant-read thermometer, butcher's twine, a basting brush, and a whole chicken. The chicken should be around 3-5 pounds, depending on the size of your air fryer. You will also need to remove the giblets from the chicken.

First, make the seasoning mix. Combine the following in a small bowl:

• Salt
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• White pepper
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar (optional)

Next, preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F for 5-10 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and, optionally, truss it with butcher's twine. If you don't want to fully truss the chicken, you can simply tie the legs together to make it easier to handle.

Once the chicken is prepared, rub the seasoning mix all over the outside of the chicken, making sure to get all sides. You can also sprinkle some of the seasoning inside the cavity of the chicken.

Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-380°F for 25-30 minutes. After this initial cooking period, flip the chicken so that it is breast-side up and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken.

To check if the chicken is done, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone. The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavorful chicken.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your air fryer rotisserie chicken. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Latin-inspired

Black beans and rice, sweet plantains, and Peruvian green sauce.

Traditional

Baked or mashed potatoes with peas and carrots, roasted broccoli, or herb-roasted carrots.

BBQ

Brown sugar baked beans and potato salad.

Low Carb

A chopped wedge salad, mashed cauliflower, or roasted asparagus.

Mediterranean

Greek pasta salad, Mediterranean bean salad, or lentil salad.

Leftovers

You can also use any leftover chicken in sandwiches, chicken salad, enchiladas, chicken noodle soup, or add it to pasta salads.

Frequently asked questions