Marianne Martinez
Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve juicy meat with extra-crispy skin. The compact design of the air fryer means there isn't much room for moisture to escape, and the fast cooking time means there's less chance of the chicken drying out. The size of the chicken and the air fryer will determine the cooking time, but generally, a whole chicken will take around an hour to cook in an air fryer.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer settings and temperature
The air fryer settings and temperature for cooking a whole chicken depend on the size of your chicken and your air fryer. It's important to check that your air fryer will fit a whole chicken as air fryer sizes vary. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken. A 3-pound chicken is ideal for feeding 4-6 people and can fit in most air fryers. If you own a larger air fryer, you can use a larger chicken and increase the cooking time. As a rule of thumb, a 3-pound chicken will need 45-50 minutes, while a 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes.
Some recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then, place the chicken in the basket of your air fryer, breast side down, and air fry at 350°F/180°C for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden and the meat is cooked.
Other recipes suggest cooking the chicken at 360°F (182°C) for 50 minutes breast side down, then flipping it and cooking for an additional 10 minutes. You can also heat the air fryer to 180°C, cook the chicken breast side down for 30 minutes, then turn it over and cook for another 10 minutes. Increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for a final 10-15 minutes to crisp the skin.
Regardless of the specific temperature and timing you choose, the most important factor is ensuring that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74-75°C). This can be checked using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast. It's also crucial not to skip the resting step, as this allows the juices to absorb back into the meat. Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before carving and serving.
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Chicken size and weight
The size and weight of the chicken you plan to cook in your air fryer are important factors to consider. Firstly, ensure your air fryer is large enough to accommodate a whole chicken. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken.
A 3-pound chicken is a commonly used size, which can feed 4-6 people and fits in most air fryers. A chicken of this size will need to cook for 45-50 minutes at 350°F/180°C, with the breast side down, and then flipped and cooked for another 20-30 minutes. You can also cook a 3-pound chicken for 30 minutes at 350°F/180°C, then flip it and cook for another 10 minutes, increasing the temperature to 200°C for the final 10-15 minutes.
If you are cooking a larger chicken, such as a 4-pound chicken, it may be too big and touch the top of the air fryer. In this case, you can untie the chicken before cooking. A 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes to cook.
For an even larger chicken, such as one over 6 pounds, you will need a larger air fryer, such as a 6-quart fryer, to fit it without the tray. A chicken of this size will take longer than 50 minutes to cook.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for a whole chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken and the air fryer. It is important to check that your air fryer will fit a whole chicken as air fryer sizes vary. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken.
A 3-pound chicken will need 45-50 minutes to cook, while a 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes. A 5-pound chicken may take longer than 60 minutes to cook, depending on the thickness of the breasts. A 6-pound chicken will take longer than 50 minutes to cook.
It is recommended to cook the chicken breast side down for the first 25-30 minutes, and then flip it over and cook for another 10-30 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden and the meat is cooked. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74-75°C on a meat thermometer. The meat will be white to the bone, and all juices will run clear when cut.
You can also cook the chicken at 360°F/180-182°C for 50 minutes breast side down, and then flip it and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
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Chicken preparation
Firstly, you'll need to select the right size of chicken for your air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to purchase a smaller chicken. A 3-4 lbs chicken is a good size for most air fryers, but a 6-quart air fryer can fit a chicken over 6 lbs.
Before cooking, remove the giblets from the chicken's cavity. You should also untie the chicken if it is bound with string, as this may be too large for the air fryer. If the chicken is still too big, gently press the chicken breast with the palm of your hand to slightly crack the breast bone.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and tuck the wings under. You can then season the chicken. Olive oil is a good choice as it helps the seasoning stick to the skin and aids crisping. You can use a simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder, or add your own favourite seasonings, including onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary. Alternatively, you can create a spice paste by combining the oil and seasoning in a small bowl, and then brush this over the chicken.
Finally, place the chicken in the basket of the air fryer, breast side down.
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Resting and serving
While the chicken rests, you can make a gravy or pan sauce using the drippings left behind in the air fryer. Simply add them to a frying pan with some chicken broth or stock and reduce over medium-high heat, then season to taste. You can also pour the drippings over vegetables, such as asparagus or cauliflower, and cook them in the air fryer while the chicken rests.
The cooked chicken can be served with your favourite vegetables, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or a side salad. It can also be used for sandwiches, soups, or salads if you have leftovers.
Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or placed in a freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, microwave portions of the chicken for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a preheated oven until warm.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of your chicken. A 3-pound chicken will need 45-50 minutes, while a 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes. A chicken weighing over 6 pounds may take longer than 60 minutes.
You should cook the chicken at between 350°F and 360°F (180°C-182°C) for the first 30-50 minutes, then increase the temperature to 200°C for the final 10-15 minutes.
Your chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C-75°C). You can check this by using a meat thermometer. The meat will be white to the bone and all juices will run clear when cut.
You should pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub it with oil and seasonings. You can also truss the chicken by tying the legs together with kitchen twine and tucking the wings under the body.
