Emilie Meyer
Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal with minimal cleanup. The compact design of air fryers means that moisture is locked in, resulting in juicy and tender meat, while the high heat and airflow create extra-crisp skin. The size of your air fryer and chicken will determine how long it takes to cook, but on average, a whole chicken will take around 45 minutes to an hour to cook in an air fryer, which is much faster than cooking it in an oven.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer whole chicken recipe
Air-frying a whole chicken is a great way to get crispy skin and juicy meat. It's also a quick and easy way to cook a whole chicken, with minimal cleanup. Here is a simple recipe for air fryer whole chicken that you can make in just a few easy steps.
Ingredients:
- Whole chicken (3-6 pounds)
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper
- Spices (e.g. smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, poultry seasoning)
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Lemon
- Fresh herbs
Instructions:
- Brine the chicken (optional): Mix water, salt, and sugar (or other seasonings) and soak the chicken for several hours or overnight.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Whisk together olive oil and your choice of spices and seasonings. You can also use an herb rub.
- Brush the spice mixture over the entire chicken, including underneath the wings.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket breast side down.
- Air fry at 350°F/180°C for 30 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and golden and the meat is cooked.
- Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Tips:
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken and your air fryer. Make sure to keep an eye on the chicken, especially towards the end, to avoid overcooking.
- The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C. You can use a meat thermometer to check.
- Don't skip the resting step, as this allows the juices to absorb back into the meat.
- You can use the drippings left in the air fryer to make a delicious pan sauce or gravy.
- You can serve the chicken with roasted potatoes, rice, or other root vegetables for a complete meal.
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Air fryer vs oven cooking time
Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens, making them a time-efficient cooking method. They are also more energy-efficient, using less energy than traditional ovens and fryers. This makes them an environmentally friendly cooking option.
The cooking temperature and time differ between a conventional oven and an air fryer. Air fryers cook food faster and at a higher temperature than ovens. The general rule is to reduce the recommended baking temperature by 25°F and the cooking time by 20% to make a traditional recipe air fryer-friendly. For example, a recipe that calls for 60 minutes in the oven can be converted to an air frying time of 48 minutes (60 mins x .20 = 12-minute reduction).
When cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook it for about an hour at 350°F/180°C. Place the chicken in the basket of your air fryer, breast side down, and air fry 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. The cooking time depends on the size of your chicken.
Some people have also suggested that you can cut the oven cooking time in half when using an air fryer. However, this may vary depending on the brand and type of air fryer being used. It is always a good idea to refer to the user manual for the best results.
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Air fryer chicken temperature and duration
Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, 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 the chicken doesn't dry out.
The temperature and duration for cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer depend on the size of your air fryer and the size of the chicken. Most store-bought chickens weigh around 4 to 6 pounds, and you'll need a 5-quart air fryer to accommodate this size. If your air fryer is smaller, opt for a smaller chicken.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C. Place the chicken in the basket breast-side down and air fry for 30 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 20 to 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's important to note that cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken, so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on it, especially towards the end.
For a 4-pound chicken, you can cook it at 360°F for 55 minutes, flipping it after 25 minutes. This timing works well for most air fryers, even the basic models.
If you're looking for a more well-done chicken, you can leave it in the air fryer for a few extra minutes after it reaches the desired internal temperature. This will give the skin a crispier texture.
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Air fryer chicken prep and seasoning
Preparing a whole chicken for cooking in an air fryer is simple and quick. First, ensure the chicken fits in your air fryer. Most store-bought chickens weigh around 5 to 6 pounds, and if your air fryer is smaller than 5 quarts, you may need to find a smaller chicken. Check that the chicken does not touch the top of the air fryer, and if it does, untie the legs and/or gently press the chicken breast to flatten it.
Next, remove the giblets from the chicken cavity, which can be saved for giblet gravy. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and then rub the skin with olive oil (or avocado oil) to help the seasoning stick. You can also add some oil to the inside of the chicken to help the meat stay juicy.
Now it's time to season the chicken. You can use your favourite herbs and spices, such as rosemary, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, or salt. Combine the oil and seasonings in a small bowl to make a paste, and then use a basting brush to coat the entire chicken, including underneath the wings.
Finally, place the chicken in the basket of your air fryer, breast side down, and it's ready to cook!
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Air fryer chicken serving suggestions
Air fryer chicken is a quick and easy meal to make, and it goes with a variety of sides and in a variety of dishes.
For a classic roast dinner, serve your air fryer chicken with roasted potatoes and a side of vegetables, such as mashed potatoes and green beans, or baby potatoes and crispy Brussels sprouts.
If you're looking for a low-carb option, pull the meat off the bone and serve it on a salad, such as a roasted peanut kale salad or an avocado kale Caesar salad. You could also add sweet potato fries to the side. For a keto-friendly option, serve the chicken with a side of soup, such as chicken noodle soup, or in a chicken salad.
For a more substantial meal, you could use the chicken in sandwiches, enchiladas, or tacos. You could also serve the chicken with rice, such as green rice, or with pasta, such as creamy kale pasta or mushroom gnocchi.
You can also use the leftover chicken carcass to make stock, and the drippings from the chicken to make a pan sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of your chicken. A 3-4 pound chicken should take around 45-55 minutes. A chicken over 4 lbs will take 5-10 minutes longer.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F-360°F (180°C).
Your chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74-75°C).
Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer for the first 30-40 minutes, then flip it over and cook breast-side up for the remaining 20-30 minutes.
Air fryer whole chicken goes well with roasted potatoes, rice, or other root vegetables.
