Roast Chicken In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook a whole chicken, and they have several advantages over a conventional oven. Air fryers can cut roasted chicken cooking time by 15 to 20%, and the skin comes out super crispy. The smaller air fryer cooking chamber also means more consistent temperatures throughout the cooking session.

The secret to great roasted chicken is high heat while not overcooking the bird for a crispy skin with moist, tender meat. An air fryer is the perfect vessel for this method since it envelops the food inside with hot, quickly moving air. The smaller air fryer cooking chamber also means more consistent temps throughout a single session.

You can cook a whole chicken in an air fryer in about an hour, and it will be juicy and tender.

Choosing the right oil

When roasting a whole chicken in an air fryer, you'll want to choose an oil with a high smoke point, as this will be better suited to the high temperatures of the air fryer.

Avocado oil, for example, has a smoke point of 570°F, while extra virgin olive oil will smoke at 375°F. Other oils with high smoke points include ghee (clarified butter), extra light olive oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil.

You'll also want to consider the flavour of the oil and how it will complement your seasoning. For example, peanut oil has a nutty flavour, while coconut oil adds a hint of sweetness.

Seasoning options

The seasoning options for your air-fried chicken are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Basic Seasoning

A simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder will add flavour to your chicken. You can also add other spices like onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary to taste.

Italian Seasoning

For an Italian-inspired chicken, combine Italian seasoning with extra oregano and basil. This blend goes well with sides such as roasted potatoes or a Caprese salad.

Mexican Seasoning

If you're using the chicken for Mexican dishes like tacos or enchiladas, try a blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic, smoked paprika, or a taco/fajita seasoning mix.

Dry Rub

Use a dry rub like ranch or Italian dressing mix, or get creative with French onion soup mix, lemon pepper, Asian five spice, or other blends.

Other Options

You can also experiment with other seasonings like orange pepper rub, cilantro lime and garlic rub, mushroom umami rub, or coffee barbecue seasoning.

Olive Oil

Coating your chicken in olive oil will help the seasoning stick and ensure the skin crisps up nicely.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another option for coating your chicken. It has a high smoke point, so it won't burn as easily as olive oil.

Other Oils

If you don't have olive or avocado oil, canola oil or grapeseed oil will also work.

Internal Temperature

Remember, the most important seasoning is salt! You can use a dry brine or just add salt before cooking. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to ensure it's cooked through.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time for a whole chicken in an air fryer depends on the weight of the chicken and the temperature of the air fryer. A chicken weighing 3-4 lbs will take 45-60 minutes to cook at 350°F. A larger chicken weighing 5-6 lbs will take 50-60 minutes at 360°F.

It's important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to make sure it is cooked properly. This can be checked using a meat thermometer. To ensure the chicken is moist, it should be removed from the air fryer when the temperature reaches 160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise by a further 5-10°F as the chicken rests.

Some recipes suggest cooking the chicken breast-side down for the first half of the cooking time, then flipping it over to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.

One recipe recommends dry brining the chicken by spreading salt over the bird and leaving it uncovered in the refrigerator for a day before cooking. This helps to season the meat and keep it juicy.

Resting the chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board or platter. It is important to let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure the chicken is moist and flavourful. Ideally, the chicken should rest for 10-15 minutes. This will give you time to finish preparing any side dishes and make a gravy from the chicken drippings if desired.

While the chicken rests, you can also use the air fryer to cook vegetables. The chicken drippings can be poured over vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or cauliflower, and cooked in the air fryer.

It is important not to skip the resting step as it helps to ensure the chicken is juicy and full of flavour. This step also allows you to finish preparing the rest of the meal, making it a crucial part of the cooking process.

Sides and serving suggestions

A roast chicken dinner is a versatile meal that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to accompany your air-fried chicken:

Vegetables

• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Baby carrots
• Roasted root vegetables (parsnips, carrots, and sweet potatoes)
• Brussels sprouts
• Mushrooms
• Fennel
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Peas
• Kale
• Chickpeas
• Broccolini
• Lemon-pepper broccoli

Starch

• Mashed potatoes
• Smashed potatoes
• Roasted potatoes
• Parmesan-crusted smashed potatoes
• Rice
• Couscous
• Orzo
• Quinoa
• Rolls (honey-squash, cheese and bacon)
• Bread (herb, skillet)
• Soda bread

Salads

• Simple Caprese salad
• Burrata Caprese salad
• Garden spinach-potato salad
• Caesar salad
• Bavarian potato salad

Other

• Glazed carrots with goat cheese and honey
• Goat cheese
• Gremolata
• Flaky sea salt
• Gravy
• Soup
• Sandwiches
• Chicken salad
• Enchiladas

Frequently asked questions