Roast Chicken In An Air Fryer: Perfectly Crispy Results

Air fryers are a great way to cook a whole chicken, resulting in juicy meat and crispy skin. The size of the chicken depends on the size of the air fryer, with most recipes recommending a chicken between 3-6 pounds for a standard-sized air fryer. The cooking time varies, but most recipes suggest cooking the chicken for around an hour, flipping it halfway through to ensure even cooking. Many recipes also recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through, with the internal temperature needing to reach 165°F.

Choosing the right chicken size

Most air fryers with a capacity of 5 quarts or larger should be able to fit a standard fryer chicken, which typically weighs around 3 to 5 pounds. If you have an air fryer that is smaller than 5 quarts, you may need to find a smaller chicken, such as a Cornish hen. Additionally, if your air fryer has a removable grate, you might be able to fit a slightly larger chicken. Organic chickens tend to be smaller, usually weighing around 4 pounds.

When selecting a chicken, it's important to ensure that it does not touch the heating element of the air fryer, as this can cause burning and smoking. If your chicken is too large, you may need to untie the legs or gently press the breastbone to flatten it slightly.

It's worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken. A larger chicken will likely require a longer cooking time, while a smaller chicken may cook faster. Therefore, it's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is cooked properly.

In summary, when choosing the right chicken size for air frying, consider the capacity of your air fryer, select a chicken that fits comfortably without touching the heating element, and adjust the cooking time as needed based on the size of your chicken.

Seasoning options

Seasoning a whole chicken before air frying it is essential to achieving that crispy skin and juicy meat. You can use a store-bought seasoning blend or make your own.

If you're making your own, you can use a combination of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder. You can also add your own favourite seasonings, such as onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary. For a zesty flavour, you can use Italian salad dressing seasoning mix, which includes salt, sugar, garlic, onion, and citric acid.

For a Chinese-style chicken, you can use a blend of umami stir-fry powder or spicy Sichuan powder. For a bold umami flavour, you can use a magic mushroom powder blend. If you're after a more traditional roast chicken flavour, a grilling powder will do the trick.

When seasoning your chicken, make sure to rub the spices into all the nooks and crannies. You can also carefully separate the skin from the meat and rub the seasoning directly onto the breast.

In addition to the seasoning, you'll also want to use some kind of oil. Avocado oil, olive oil, or cooking spray can help the seasoning stick to the skin and promote crispiness.

Oil types

When it comes to oil types for air-frying chicken, there are several options with high smoke points that are suitable, including:

• Avocado oil, which has a smoke point of 520°F and a neutral flavour.
• Light olive oil, which has a smoke point of 465-470°F. This is produced using heat after the first pressing of virgin oil from olives and has a longer shelf life than other types of olive oil.
• Clarified butter or ghee, which has a smoke point of 482°F.
• Sunflower oil, which has a smoke point of 450°F and is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats.
• Peanut oil, which has a nutty flavour and a high smoke point.
• Grapeseed oil, which has a smoke point of 421°F and is a byproduct of winemaking.
• Refined coconut oil, which has a smoke point of 400°F.

Other options include safflower oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

It's important to note that the smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it begins to break down and emit smoke. Using an oil with a smoke point higher than the cooking temperature is recommended to avoid a burnt smell and flavour.

When air-frying chicken, a small amount of oil is needed compared to deep-frying or sautéing. You can brush or spray the air fryer basket and the chicken with oil, or toss the chicken in a bowl with oil before placing it in the air fryer.

Air fryer temperature

For a whole chicken, the optimal temperature to aim for is around 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat, typically the breast. This temperature ensures the chicken is cooked safely and is no longer pink. However, it's important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size of your chicken and the specific air fryer model you're using.

When roasting a whole chicken in an air fryer, it's recommended to cook it breast-side down first and then flip it over halfway through the cooking process. This ensures even cooking and browning. Here are the general temperature guidelines for cooking a whole chicken:

• Start by heating your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer and cook for about 30 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and continue cooking for an additional 20-30 minutes.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for a final 5-15 minutes to crisp up the skin.

It's important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached the safe minimum temperature of 165°F.

For cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer, the recommended temperature is slightly different. Aim for a temperature of 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the chicken breasts are cooked through while remaining juicy and tender. Here are the general guidelines for cooking chicken breasts:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Cook the chicken breasts for 6 minutes on the smooth side (presentation side) down.
• Flip the chicken breasts over and continue cooking for an additional 2-8 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 155°F to 160°F (68°C to 71°C). The carry-over cooking will bring the temperature up to the safe minimum of 165°F (74°C).

Remember that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking, as this can lead to dry chicken.

Resting the chicken

The size of the chicken and the cooking time will determine how long the chicken needs to rest. A larger chicken, weighing around 5-6 pounds, will require a longer resting time of 10 minutes. Smaller chickens, around 3-4 pounds, will only need to rest for 5 minutes.

It is important to note that the chicken will continue to cook while resting. This is known as carry-over cooking. So, if you are aiming for a specific internal temperature, you should remove the chicken from the air fryer a few degrees before it reaches that temperature.

Additionally, resting the chicken gives you time to prepare any side dishes or garnishes. You can make a quick gravy using the drippings from the chicken or simply season the chicken with salt and pepper to refresh the flavors.

Frequently asked questions