Cody Casey
Roasting a whole chicken is a simple and delicious meal that can be made in an oven or an air fryer. The chicken can be seasoned with a variety of herbs, spices, and citrus fruits to create a bold flavor and a beautiful crispy skin. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the chicken and the method used, but on average, you can expect to roast a whole chicken in about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking a Small Whole Fryer Chicken
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken Weight | 3-5 pounds |
| Oven Temperature | 350-425°F |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360°F |
| Cooking Time | 50-90 minutes |
| Resting Time | 5-30 minutes |
| Chicken Skin | Crispy and Golden Brown |
| Chicken Meat | Juicy and Tender |
| Seasonings | Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Onion Powder, Celery |
| Other Ingredients | Olive Oil, Butter, Lemon, Rosemary |
What You'll Learn
How to get crispy skin
To get the skin of your roast chicken extra crispy, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, drying your chicken is the most effective way to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat and achieve a golden, crispy skin. You can pat it dry with paper towels, rub it with baking powder, or air dry it in the fridge overnight.
Another way to get crispy skin is to ensure you are roasting your chicken at a high temperature. Culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin recommends roasting a whole chicken at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 to 60 minutes to get crispier skin.
You can also try basting your chicken with butter before roasting. This will help to lock in moisture and give the seasonings something to adhere to.
If you are using an air fryer, you can still achieve crispy skin by patting the chicken dry with paper towels and using a basting brush to coat the chicken with a seasoning paste. Then, place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
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What temperature to cook at
The temperature you cook at will depend on the method you use to cook your chicken. If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 360 degrees F (180-182 degrees C). Then, place the chicken in the basket of the air fryer breast side down and cook for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, flip the chicken over and cook for another 10-20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
If you are using an oven, there are a few different temperature options depending on your desired outcome. For a basic roast chicken, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and cook a 3-pound chicken for a little over an hour. If you want crispier skin, you can roast at a higher temperature of 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for a shorter time of 50-60 minutes. For a 4-5 pound chicken, you can cook at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 70-90 minutes, or until the juices run clear. If you are using a standard oven, you can also cook at 425 degrees F, or 400 degrees F on convection.
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How long to cook for
The cooking time for a small whole fryer chicken varies depending on the weight of the chicken and the cooking method.
If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cooking time is approximately 50 minutes breast side down, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken breast should be 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
If you are using an oven, preheat it to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and place a baking rack in the lower third of the oven. The cooking time is approximately 70 to 90 minutes, or until the juices run clear. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh should be 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
If your chicken is smaller than 4 to 5 pounds, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. A 3-pound chicken cooked at 350 degrees F will take a little over an hour to cook.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the oven or air fryer model, so it is always best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is cooked through.
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How to season the chicken
Seasoning a whole fryer chicken is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This step helps to ensure that the skin becomes crispy during cooking. You can also choose to air dry the chicken in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking. This will help to remove any additional moisture from the skin, making it even crispier, and allowing the salt to penetrate the flesh.
Once the chicken is dry, you can begin to season it. One option is to rub the chicken with butter. This will help to lock in moisture and provide a base for the seasonings to stick to. Make sure you get the butter all over the chicken, including in the crevices and under the skin. You can also add some lemon zest to the butter for extra flavour.
Next, you can add your seasonings. A simple option is to use salt and pepper, making sure to season both the inside and outside of the chicken. You can also add onion powder, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, paprika, or dried herbs and spices of your choice. If you want to get creative, you can stuff the cavity with lemon halves and rosemary sprigs, or try using different herbs and citrus fruits.
Finally, if you are using an air fryer, you can combine your seasonings with oil to make a paste, and use a basting brush to coat the chicken.
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What to serve it with
A whole fryer chicken pairs well with a variety of dishes, including roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, salads, and rolls. You can also serve it with roasted sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or green beans cooked in the chicken drippings. If you're looking for a more substantial meal, consider making sandwiches, chicken salad, enchiladas, or adding the chicken to soups or casseroles. For a classic, complete meal, serve the chicken with roasted potatoes and a side salad.
If you're using an air fryer, you can cook the chicken and side dishes together in the same basket, making it a convenient option for a full dinner. Root vegetables, such as potatoes, are an excellent choice to accompany the chicken and can be cooked in the air fryer. You can also stuff the chicken with ingredients like orange, green onion, and fresh parsley to enhance its flavour.
For a low-carb option, you can pull the meat from the bone and serve it on a salad. This allows you to enjoy the chicken without the added carbohydrates from potatoes or other starchy sides.
Additionally, you can use the leftover chicken in various dishes. Shredded chicken can be used in soups, sandwiches, casseroles, wraps, or enchiladas. You can also make chicken bone broth by saving the carcass in a freezer bag.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook a small whole fryer chicken in an air fryer, first pat the chicken dry with paper towels and tuck the wings under. Combine the seasonings and oil in a small bowl to make a paste, then use a basting brush to coat the breast side of the chicken with half of the seasoning. Pick the chicken up by the legs and place it breast side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Check that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
To get crispy skin on a small whole fryer chicken, make sure the skin is dry before cooking. You can pat it dry with paper towels, rub it with baking powder, or air dry it in the fridge for 24 hours.
The best temperature to cook a small whole fryer chicken at is 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
The time it takes to cook a small whole fryer chicken depends on the weight of the chicken. On average, you can count on needing roughly 20 minutes of cooking time per pound.
To cook a small whole fryer chicken, you will need a whole chicken, butter, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add in different herbs, different citrus fruits, or different seasonings.
