Marianne Martinez
Cooking a roast chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy chicken with crispy skin. It's a convenient method for a weeknight dinner when you need food on the table as fast as possible. The compact design of the air fryer means that moisture is locked in, and the fast cooking time, aided by the heating element and airflow, ensures a juicy roast chicken.
Characteristics and Values Table for Roasting Chicken in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken size | 3-4 lbs |
| Chicken temperature | 165°F/74°C |
| Oil | Olive, avocado, canola, grapeseed, or cooking spray |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary |
| Cooking time | 45-60 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature | 350°F/180°C |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, veggies, or salad |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right chicken and preparing it for cooking
When choosing a chicken to cook in an air fryer, it is important to consider the size of your air fryer and select a chicken that will fit comfortably inside it. Most chickens available in stores are around 5 to 6 pounds, but organic chickens tend to be smaller at around 4 pounds. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to purchase a smaller chicken or gently press the chicken breast to slightly crack the breast bone if it is touching the top of the air fryer. A good rule of thumb is to choose a chicken that is around 3 to 4 pounds for a standard-sized air fryer.
Once you have selected the right-sized chicken, it is important to prepare it properly before cooking. Start by removing any string or giblets from the cavity of the chicken and patting the skin dry with a paper towel. You can also choose to brine the chicken before cooking to add extra moisture and flavour. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).
After brining, the next step is to season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and dried herbs. Combine the oil and seasonings in a small bowl, then rub the mixture all over the chicken. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies for even flavour distribution.
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Oil and seasoning
First, the oil. Olive oil is a popular choice for roasting chicken in an air fryer. A little olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the chicken and keeps the meat moist. However, some sources recommend avoiding olive oil when spraying the air fryer basket, as it can burn easily, resulting in a smoky kitchen and off-flavours in the chicken. Instead, opt for a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.
Now, the seasoning. A little bit of seasoning adds flavour to the chicken, especially the skin. A simple mixture of salt and pepper is a good base, and you can add other spices and herbs such as paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary to taste. If you want to ensure your seasoning penetrates the meat, you can dry brine the chicken a day before cooking by spreading a couple of tablespoons of salt directly on the bird and leaving it uncovered in the refrigerator. During a dry brine, the salt first draws out liquid from the meat, then dissolves into the liquid and is reabsorbed, ensuring the salt penetrates deeper into the meat.
If you're short on time, you can skip the dry brine and simply rub the chicken with your chosen seasonings before cooking. You can also buy pre-made spice mixes or create your own blend. One source suggests combining oil with paprika, dried herbs, garlic granules, salt, and pepper to make a spiced vegetable oil, which you then rub all over the chicken.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for an air-fried roast chicken will 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.
As a general rule, a 3-pound chicken will need 45-50 minutes, while a 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes. A chicken with thicker breasts may take longer than 60 minutes to cook.
One source recommends preheating your air fryer to 350°F/180°C and cooking the chicken breast-side down for 30 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden and the meat is cooked. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Another source recommends cooking the chicken at 360°F (182°C) for 50 minutes breast-side down, then flipping it and cooking for an additional 10 minutes. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast. You may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
If you are cooking chicken breasts, one source recommends a temperature of 375°F, noting that this is lower than the temperature typically used for baking chicken in a regular oven (425°F).
You can also apply a dry brine to your chicken a day before cooking. To do this, spread a couple of tablespoons of salt directly on the fresh or thawed bird and let it rest in the refrigerator, uncovered, for a day. This will help to season the meat more completely.
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Resting and serving
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This will give the juices a chance to settle and redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy. Place the chicken on a cutting board or platter, and if you're feeling creative, you can use the drippings left in the air fryer to make a delicious pan sauce. Simply pour them into a frying pan, add some chicken broth or stock, and reduce over medium-high heat, seasoning to taste.
While the chicken rests, you can prepare your choice of side dishes. Air fryer roast chicken goes well with a variety of sides, including roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or green beans. Mashed potatoes, rice, and salads are also excellent accompaniments.
After the resting period, it's time to carve and serve the chicken. Be sure to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) for food safety. The chicken is ready to be enjoyed! Don't forget to save any leftovers, which can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for later use.
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Storing leftovers
First, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Then, remove the meat from the carcass and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze the leftovers: place the meat in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Don't forget to save the chicken carcass! You can freeze it in a freezer bag to make stock later.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking a roast chicken in an air fryer takes about an hour, but this depends on the size of the chicken and the air fryer. A 3-pound chicken will need 45-50 minutes, while a 4-pound chicken will need closer to 60 minutes.
The temperature depends on the type of air fryer you have. Set the air fryer to 350°F/180°C for the first 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F/200°C for the final 10-15 minutes.
First, ensure the cavity of the chicken is empty and dab the skin dry. You can also apply a dry brine of salt a day before cooking to enhance the flavour. Before cooking, rub the chicken with oil and your chosen seasonings.
You can serve roast chicken with a variety of side dishes, including roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a salad.
The size of the chicken depends on the size of your air fryer. You should ensure that the chicken fits in the air fryer with enough space for hot air to circulate. A 3-4 pound chicken is a good size for most air fryers.
