Creative Chicken Cooking: Whole Fryer Chicken Options

If you're looking for a quick, easy and delicious meal, then a whole fryer chicken is a great option. You can use an air fryer to cook a whole chicken, which will give you super crispy skin and juicy meat. You can also roast a whole chicken in the air fryer, which will give it a rotisserie-style taste.

How to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer

You can cook a whole chicken in an air fryer to achieve a crispy skin and juicy meat. Here's how:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Then, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Next, prepare your seasoning. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, paprika, and salt. You can also add your own choice of seasonings to the oil to make a paste. Use a basting brush to spread half of the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken.

Now, place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket. You may need to untie the chicken if it is too big and touching the top of the air fryer. Cook according to the manufacturer's instructions, turning the chicken twice to ensure all sides are browned and crisp.

Finally, don't skip the resting step. This allows the juices to absorb back into the meat. You can serve the chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or a tossed salad.

How to make the skin crispy

To make the skin crispy, it is recommended that you use an air fryer to cook your whole chicken. You can also pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub it with oil and seasonings before cooking. Some seasonings you can use include Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, paprika and salt. You can also use a basting brush to spread half of the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken.

It is also important to note that flipping the chicken twice during cooking can help ensure that all sides are browned and crisp.

How to make the meat juicy

Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a great way to ensure the meat stays juicy. To make the meat as juicy as possible, follow these steps:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Then, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Next, rub the chicken with oil and seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, paprika, and salt. Combine these with the oil in a small bowl to make a paste, then use a basting brush to spread half of the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken.

Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket. Make sure to flip the chicken at least twice during cooking to ensure all sides are browned and crisp. Finally, don't skip the resting step after cooking, as this allows the juices to absorb back into the meat.

What to serve with the chicken

You can cook a whole fryer chicken in an air fryer. The chicken will have crispy skin and juicy meat. You can serve it with roasted sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or a tossed salad.

If you want to make a full meal out of your whole fryer chicken, there are several side dishes that you can serve alongside it. Roasted sweet potatoes are a great option, as they are hearty and filling. You can also try glazed carrots, which will add a touch of sweetness to the meal. If you're looking for something lighter, a tossed salad is always a good choice.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own giblet gravy using the giblets from the chicken. This will add a extra flavour to your meal.

How to prepare the chicken before cooking

Before cooking, you should pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then, rub the chicken with oil and seasonings. You can either use a basting brush to spread the seasoning all over the breast side of the chicken, or you can use your hands to rub the seasoning all over the chicken. If your chicken is tied with string, make sure to untie it before cooking, especially if it's a bigger chicken (closer to 4 lbs), as it may be too big and touch the top of the air fryer. If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Frequently asked questions