Mastering The Perfect Whole Chicken Fryer: A Beginner's Guide

Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is an easy and quick way to get a delicious, juicy roast chicken with crispy skin. It's a simple process: prepare the chicken, rub with oil and seasoning, and cook. You can serve it with your favourite vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.

Choosing the right chicken

Another important consideration is the quality of the chicken. Look for a chicken that has been raised humanely and is free of hormones and antibiotics. Pasture-raised or organic chickens tend to have better flavour and texture than conventionally raised chickens. Additionally, check the colour of the chicken skin. It should be pale yellow or white, indicating that the chicken is fresh. Avoid chickens with discoloured or bruised skin, as this may affect the taste and texture of the cooked meat.

When selecting a chicken, it is also important to consider the type of cut. For a whole chicken fryer, it is best to choose a chicken that has been butterflied or spatchcocked. This means that the backbone has been removed, allowing the chicken to lay flat in the air fryer. This ensures even cooking and helps to crisp the skin. If you are purchasing a whole chicken, ask your butcher to butterfly it for you, or you can do it yourself at home with kitchen shears.

Finally, take into account the giblets when choosing a chicken. Giblets are the organs of the chicken, typically found in the cavity. While they are not necessary for the chicken fryer recipe, some people like to use them for stock or gravy. If you wish to use the giblets, make sure to remove them from the cavity before cooking. If you are not using them, simply discard them or save them for another use.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, choose a chicken that is about 3-4lbs in size. Make sure your chicken will fit in your air fryer before you start cooking. Remove any giblets from the cavity and ensure the cavity is empty. Dab the skin dry, then rub the skin with olive oil or cooking spray. This will help the seasoning to stick to the skin and make it crispier. You can use your favourite seasoning blend, or a simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder. You could also add onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary.

Place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket. Turn the air fryer on to 350°F. Cook for 30 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for a further 20-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with your favourite vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.

Seasoning the chicken

Next, sprinkle the chicken with your chosen seasoning. You can use a favourite seasoning blend, or a simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder. You could also add onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary.

Place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket and cook according to your recipe instructions.

Cooking the chicken

To cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, first ensure the chicken will fit in your air fryer. Then, remove any giblets from the cavity and dab the skin dry. Rub the skin with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning. You can use a simple mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme and garlic powder, or add your own favourite seasonings, such as onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest or rosemary. Place the chicken breast-side down into the air fryer basket and turn the air fryer on to 350°F. Cook for 30 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and leave to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

This method will give you a whole chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat. You can serve it with your favourite vegetables, mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes, and a side salad.

Serving the chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This will help the juices to settle and keep the meat tender. While the chicken is resting, you can prepare your side dishes. Some great options include roasted sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, or a tossed salad.

When you're ready to serve, carve the chicken into slices or pieces. You can also remove the meat from the bone and shred it if you prefer. Place the chicken on a serving platter and surround it with your chosen side dishes. Drizzle any juices from the chicken over the meat to keep it moist and flavourful.

If you're serving the chicken family-style, place the platter on the table and let everyone help themselves. Alternatively, you can plate the chicken individually, ensuring each person gets a generous portion of meat and a variety of sides. Don't forget to provide some gravy or sauce on the side for extra flavour.

For a beautiful presentation, garnish the chicken with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, tangy finish. Enjoy your delicious, juicy air-fried chicken!

Frequently asked questions