Emilie Meyer
Cooking a roast chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a delicious, crispy-skinned, juicy roast chicken. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and your air fryer, but generally, it should take a little over an hour to cook a whole chicken. The compact design of the air fryer means that moisture is retained, and the fast cooking time means that the chicken is less likely to dry out.
How long to cook roast chicken in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken weight | 1-3 kg |
| Chicken size | 3-4 lbs |
| Chicken type | Whole chicken, chicken halves, or pieces |
| Chicken temperature | 350°F/180°C |
| Cooking time | 45-60 minutes |
| Cooking time for pieces | 22-27 minutes |
| Resting time | 10 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165°F/74-75°C |
| Skin | Crispy and golden |
| Juices | Clear |
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What You'll Learn
How to get crispy skin and juicy meat
To get crispy skin and juicy meat, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, choose a chicken that fits your air fryer. For a whole chicken, it is recommended to use a 3-4lb chicken. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before roasting to take the chill off it.
Secondly, prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and removing any giblets from the cavity. Then, rub the skin with olive oil or avocado oil and your choice of seasoning. A simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder is a great option, but you can also add onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary.
Thirdly, place the chicken in the air fryer basket breast-side down and cook at 350°F/180°C for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F/75°C.
Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving. The drippings left behind can be used to make a delicious pan sauce or gravy.
Some additional tips for ensuring juicy meat include not overcooking the chicken, using an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, and brining the chicken before cooking to keep it moist and flavourful.
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The best temperature to cook at
For a whole chicken, it is recommended to cook the bird breast-side down for the first half of the cooking time. This helps keep the breast meat moist and juicy. After 30 minutes, the chicken should be flipped and cooked for a further 20-30 minutes. The chicken is cooked when the juices run clear when the thickest part of the breast and thigh are pierced with a skewer or knife.
For smaller cuts of chicken, such as thighs and drumsticks, a higher temperature of 425°F is recommended. At this temperature, the chicken will cook for a total of 22-25 minutes, or 10 minutes on one side, before being flipped and cooked for a further 12-15 minutes.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken and the model of your air fryer. It is always best to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F/75°C before consuming.
Additionally, the temperature of the chicken before cooking can affect the cooking time. It is recommended to let the chicken come to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before placing it in the air fryer. This will ensure more even cooking and help the chicken cook through at the desired temperature.
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How to prepare the chicken before cooking
Preparing your chicken before cooking is a crucial step in achieving the perfect roast chicken in your air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your chicken:
Choose the Right Chicken Size:
Select a chicken that fits your air fryer. The size of the chicken you choose will depend on the capacity of your air fryer. A chicken weighing around 3-4 lbs is a common choice for many air fryers. Ensure you remove any giblets from the chicken's cavity.
Brining (Optional):
Brining is an optional step but can add extra flavour and moisture to your chicken. It involves either submerging the chicken in a saltwater solution (wet brine) or sprinkling salt over the meat (dry brine). Leave the chicken to rest for a while after brining to allow the salt to penetrate the meat and enhance its flavour.
Pat the Chicken Dry:
Before seasoning your chicken, use paper towels to pat its skin dry. This step will help the seasonings adhere better to the skin.
Seasoning:
Drizzle olive oil or another preferred cooking oil over the chicken's skin. You can also use a cooking spray for this purpose. The oil helps the seasonings stick to the skin and promotes even browning and crisping.
After applying the oil, it's time to season the chicken. You can use a simple mixture of salt and pepper or get creative with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, or dried basil. Don't be afraid to experiment with different blends to find your favourite flavour profile.
Stuffing (Optional):
If you wish to add extra flavour to your chicken, you can stuff its cavity with ingredients like lemon halves, garlic cloves, and thyme. This step is entirely optional but can enhance the aroma and taste of your roast chicken.
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How long to cook chicken breasts for
The cooking time for chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. It is important to note that chicken breasts have a reputation for being dry and boring, but they can be juicy and succulent when cooked correctly.
Firstly, it is recommended to brine the chicken before cooking. Brining is the process of salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. This allows the meat to absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in a fully seasoned chicken breast.
When cooking, the chicken should be placed breast-side down in the air fryer basket and cooked at 350°F/180°C for 30 minutes. After this, the chicken should be flipped and cooked for another 20-30 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden, and the meat is cooked. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C. It is important to note that the chicken will continue to cook after being removed from the air fryer due to carryover cooking. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the chicken from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 155-160°F.
Additionally, it is important to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Applying a small amount of olive oil to the chicken breasts can also help the seasonings adhere and keep them moist. While there are endless options for seasoning, a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper is recommended.
Overall, cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer can result in tender and juicy meat with a crispy skin, making it a delicious and convenient option for a weeknight dinner.
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How to make gravy from the juices
Cooking a roast chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, succulent roast with minimal washing up. The chicken will be cooked in under 90 minutes, and you can use the juices to make a tasty gravy.
First, take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before roasting to take the chill off it. Then, rub oil into the skin of the chicken and sprinkle on salt, pepper, and thyme. You can also add a few thin slices of butter between the skin and the breast of the chicken. Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket and heat the air fryer to 180C. Roast for 30 minutes, then flip the chicken and roast for another 35 minutes. Check that the juices run clear when the thickest parts of the breast and thigh are pierced with a skewer or knife. Leave the chicken to stand for a few minutes before carving.
Now it's time to make the gravy. If you want to make it in the air fryer, sprinkle flour over the carrot and onion mixture in the air fryer bowl. Cook at 200˚C for a minute to cook the flour and stir to absorb the fat from the cooking juices. Add red wine and stock and stir to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to bring the mixture to a coating consistency, stirring every minute or so. Remove the bowl and pass the gravy through a sieve into a small saucepan.
If you prefer to make the gravy in a pan, add a little water to the air fryer to loosen any bits stuck to the base, then pour into a saucepan. Add a little flour and chicken stock or wine and whisk over a medium heat until thickened. You can also add any leftover shreds of chicken or blended vegetables to the gravy.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken. A 1.5kg chicken takes about 45-50 minutes to cook. A 3-4lb chicken will take about an hour.
Heat the air fryer to 180C/350F.
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165F/74-75C on a meat thermometer. The meat will be white to the bone and all juices will run clear when cut.
