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In case you have been debating whether doing a whole chicken in an airfryer is doable; yes it is (as long as your bird fits in your airfryer). The results are so good that you might not end up using your traditional oven ever again!

Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a game-changer for those seeking a juicy, flavorful, and crispy-skinned bird without the hassle of traditional oven roasting. This ensures even cooking and perfect texture by utilizing the benefits of air frying, which circulates hot air around the chicken

Note that bringing the chicken to room temperature before cooking really makes a difference

How Long Does Whole Chicken Cook in Airfryer?

For a 1-2 kg chicken, allow up to 45 minutes of cooking time. Begin cooking with the breast side down, and flip the chicken after 20 or 25 minutes.

Starting with the breast side down allows the breast meat, which tends to cook faster and dry out more easily, to remain juicy and tender. This position helps the fat from the thighs and back to drip down and baste the breast meat, keeping it moist. Additionally, it ensures more even cooking throughout the bird.

Recomended Big Airfryers

The best thing about an air fryer is its compact size, which makes it an ideal replacement for ovens when cooking small batches, avoiding the need to use a larger oven.

For cooking a whole chicken, an air fryer with a capacity of at least 8 quarts (7.5 liters) and a power rating above 1500 watts is recommended to ensure efficient cooking.

Recommended models:

• Ninja 9.5-liter (10-quart)air fryer with convection: Features dual convection fans, two frying mesh trays, and two cookie sheets.
• PowerXL 10-quart rack air fryer.

Can you cook a turkey in an air fryer? Even if it was possible getting the right fit airfryer, the efficiency is limited by the maximum voltage of your outlet, making larger air fryers less efficient. You are better off with a traditional oven

Ingredients

• Whole chicken, thawed
• Olive oil (a few tablespoons)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Rosemary (optional)
• Thyme (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Pepper

Procedure

1. Preparation:
   • Ensure the chicken is thawed and pat it dry with paper towels.
   • Spray the inside of the air fryer with olive oil and preheat it to 370°F (188°C).
2. Season the Chicken:
   • In a small bowl, mix a few tablespoons of olive oil with your desired seasonings (e.g., Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper).
   • Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly all over the chicken.
3. Cook Breast Side Down:
   • Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer.
   • Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 30 minutes.
4. Flip and Continue Cooking:
   • After the initial 30 minutes, flip the chicken to the breast side up.
   • Cook for an additional 20 minutes at 370°F (188°C).
5. Crisp the Skin:
   • To crisp up the skin, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Rest the Chicken:
   • Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Optional Dry Salt Cure:

• Preparation:
  • Mix salt with a small amount of water to create a paste.
  • Rub the salt paste all over the chicken.
  • Place the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (maximum).
• After the Cure:
  • Rinse the salt off the chicken.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before proceeding with the cooking steps outlined above.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Chicken cooked in an airfryer turns out so crisp on the outside while being moist on the inside unlike the potrntially dry chickrn you may get from the oven

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, GLOBAL

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole chicken thawed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
• 1 teaspoon rosemary optional
• 1 teaspoon thyme optional
• 1 teaspoon paprika optional
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

 

• Ensure the chicken is thawed and pat it dry with paper towels. Spray the inside of the air fryer with olive oil and preheat it to 370°F (188°C).
• In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with your desired seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly all over the chicken.
• Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer and cook at 370°F (188°C) for 30 minutes. After the initial 30 minutes, flip the chicken to the breast side up and cook for an additional 20 minutes at the same temperature.
• To crisp up the skin, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
• For an optional dry salt cure, mix salt with a small amount of water to create a paste. Rub the salt paste all over the chicken and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After curing, rinse the salt off the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels before proceeding with the cooking steps outlined above.

Keyword Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Airfryer Chicken

Results

Personally, I prefer using an air fryer for cooking whole chicken. It’s just more convenient than using an oven. If you love crispy skin, then the air fryer is the way to go. The chicken turns out incredibly crispy, it’s easy to use, and it’s faster too—taking only 45 to 50 minutes, compared to over an hour in the oven for the same size bird.

For an even juicier chicken, consider using a salt brine: 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water, and soak the chicken for 30 minutes, then pat dry and air fry. Alternatively, dry brining is even easier and yields great results!

I really prefer the air fryer because it creates a really juicy interior if cooked right. The oven tends to dry out the chicken more easily.

No matter which method you choose, the key to perfectly cooked chicken is hitting the right internal temperature. Make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F

Nutritional Information

Calories and Fat: These values can vary based on the size of the chicken and the amount of olive oil and skin left on the chicken.

Calories: 400 Protein: 45g Total Fat: 22g

• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g

Cholesterol: 140mg Sodium: 500mg (varies with seasoning and brining)

Total Carbohydrates: 0g

• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 0g

Vitamin A: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)Vitamin C: 2% of the DVCalcium: 2% of the DVIron: 8% of the DV

Also Read: Crispiest Seasoned Air Fryer French Fries

Also Read: Why an Air Fryer is a Must-Have Appliance