Tillie Doyle
Cooking a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer is a great way to achieve a moist and tender interior with a crispy exterior. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken and the outside air temperature, but you can expect it to take around 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. In this article, we will outline the steps to follow and provide tips for getting the perfect oil-less fried chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 15-20 minutes per pound; 1 hour and 10 minutes total; 1 hour and 30 minutes total; 20-25 minutes at 460°F, then 300°F until done |
| Temperature | 375-400°F; 460°F, then 300°F; Internal temperature of 165°F |
| Cooker type | Big Boss; Big Easy; Char-Broil Big Easy; Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer |
| Preparation | Dry brine; inject with herb and honey wine mixture; coat with oil and seasoning |
| Rest time | 15 minutes; 15-20 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Injecting the chicken with a herb and honey wine mixture
Cooking a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer is a quick and easy way to get moist and tender meat with a crispy coating. The cooking time will vary depending on the outside air temperature and your specific cooker, but it should take around an hour to an hour and a half.
To get the best results, you can inject the chicken with a herb and honey wine mixture. This will add flavour and help keep the chicken juicy.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup honey wine (mead) or white wine
- 1 stick salted butter
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Everglades Fish and Chicken Seasoning (to taste)
Method:
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the wine and stir well.
- Mix in all the dry ingredients.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and strain it to remove any herbs that could clog your injection needle.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature before injecting it into the chicken.
- Inject the chicken at a 45-degree angle, about every inch to two inches. Be sure to inject the breasts. The legs are optional, as dark meat tends to stay juicier during cooking.
- Ideally, let the chicken rest for at least 30 minutes after injecting to allow the flavours to distribute evenly.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer depend on the weight of the chicken, the outside air temperature, and the desired doneness. On average, a whole chicken takes about 15-20 minutes per pound to cook in an oil-less fryer. For example, a 4-pound chicken would take about 1 hour to cook, while a larger 6-pound chicken could take up to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific cooker and the outside air temperature. For example, the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer has only one heat setting: "On". On the other hand, the Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer has a temperature gauge that can be adjusted. When using this fryer, it is recommended to start cooking the chicken breast side down at 460 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, and then flip it and lower the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for the remainder of the cooking time.
To ensure the chicken is cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is suggested to take a temperature check after about 40 to 50 minutes of cooking. This will give you an idea of how much longer the chicken needs to cook.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the cooking time may also depend on the position of the chicken in the fryer. Some people choose to cook the chicken breast side up, while others prefer to stand the chicken up like a beer-can chicken to ensure even cooking and crispness. However, cooking the chicken standing up may increase the cooking time.
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Resting the chicken
The resting period allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute, ensuring that the meat stays moist and juicy. It also gives the internal temperature of the chicken a chance to rise to the target temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important for food safety, as it ensures that the chicken is fully cooked and any harmful bacteria have been killed.
While the chicken is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces that you plan to serve with it. You can also use this time to set the table and gather any necessary utensils and serving dishes. If you are not quite ready to serve the meal after the resting period, you can tent the chicken with foil to keep it warm.
For best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken before and after resting. This will ensure that it has reached the safe temperature for consumption. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or thigh, being careful to avoid any bones, which can give a false reading.
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Using a beer can stand
Prepare the Chicken and Beer Can Stand
Start by rinsing the chicken under cold running water and removing any giblets or neck pieces. Dry the chicken thoroughly with paper towels or a kitchen cloth. Prepare the beer can stand by placing it in the centre of a roasting pan. You can use a specialized beer can chicken stand or a simple beer can. If using a beer can, open it and pour out about a quarter of the beer. Some people even add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage to the beer for extra flavour.
Season the Chicken
Drizzle olive oil or vegetable oil over the chicken and rub it all over the surface. You can also use butter or your favourite BBQ rub. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies for even flavour distribution. Don't be stingy with the spices!
Place the Chicken on the Beer Can Stand
Position the chicken upright over the beer can stand, using the chicken legs to support its body. The chicken should be secure and act like a tripod to prevent it from falling over.
Cook the Chicken
Place the roasting pan with the chicken and beer can stand into the preheated oil-less fryer. Set the fryer to high heat and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, but it typically takes around 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 4-5 pound chicken. Check the chicken after the first hour, and then every 15 minutes or so. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked properly.
Rest and Serve
Once the chicken has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oil-less fryer and let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender final product. Enjoy your delicious, moist, and flavourful beer can chicken!
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Seasoning the chicken
Seasoning a whole chicken for an oil-less fryer is a simple process. Firstly, you should dry brine the chicken to ensure it remains moist and juicy. To make the brine, use a ratio of 3:1 of kosher salt to baking powder. The salt will act as the brine, and the baking powder will help to make the skin crispy when cooked. You can also add other seasonings to taste, such as Everglades Fish and Chicken Seasoning.
After dry brining the chicken, you can inject it with a herb and honey wine (or mead) mixture. This will add flavour and help keep the chicken juicy. The injection mixture typically includes herbs, wine, butter, and spices. For example, you can use a mixture of sage, rosemary, garlic powder, ground ginger, red pepper, and paprika.
Before cooking, coat the chicken with about 1 tablespoon of oil on each side. Then, sprinkle the chicken with seasonings of your choice. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, and paprika, but you can also add other spices according to your preference.
If you are using a Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer, you can follow the above steps and cook the chicken for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using a Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer, you can coat the chicken with oil and seasonings, and cook it breast side down at 460 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. Then, flip the chicken, reduce the temperature to 300 degrees, and cook until the thermometer reaches 158-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the weight of the chicken, the outside air temperature, and the type of cooker being used. On average, it takes between 1 hour and 1 hour and 30 minutes to cook a whole chicken in an oil-less fryer.
The temperature setting depends on the type of oil-less fryer being used. Some fryers have only one heat setting: "On". Other fryers should be set to "High". The temperature of the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F.
To prevent the chicken from becoming soggy at the bottom, try standing it up using a beer can holder or lean it against the sides of the rack.
You can season the chicken with oil, butter, and/or your favorite BBQ rub. You can also dry brine the chicken for moisture and inject it with a herb and honey wine mixture for added flavor.
Popular oil-less fryers for cooking a whole chicken include the Big Boss Chicken Oil-Less Fryer, the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer, and the Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer.
