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Home Blog Cuisine American

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Sam Guarnieri
Sam Guarnieri Posted: 10/05/21 Updated: 05/04/22
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DF Dairy Free GF Gluten Free K Keto LC Low Carb P Paleo 30 Whole30

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Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken
Pin graphic for air fryer whole chicken

This air fryer whole chicken is extra crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked and tender on the inside! We keep the seasonings light and simple, making it the perfect addition to any meal. This method is hands-down the easiest way to roast a whole chicken!

air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket with a lemon slice and fresh thyme on top

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • It’s super simple and easy! Start by seasoning your chicken, then popping it in the air fryer. After an hour, your whole chicken will be fully cooked and ready to eat!
  • The air fryer does all the hard work! This hands-off recipe leaves the air fryer to do much of the heavy lifting. Less than 10 minutes of prep is all you’ll need for this easy meal.
  • It requires just four ingredients! A whole chicken, avocado oil (or any vegetable oil), plus some salt and black pepper is all you’ll need. I’m telling you, this air fryer whole chicken method couldn’t get any easier!

Key Ingredients

Whole Chicken – My air fryer basket fits up to a 5 pound bird, though adjust the size/weight of your chicken depending on the size of your tray or basket. For a smaller air fryer, pick up a 2 to 3 pound bird for this recipe. Adjust the cook time based on how large or small your chicken is. To know when it’s fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the breast and once it reads 165° Fahrenheit, then it’s done. Also, if you have a larger air fryer, this method would also work for a 5 to 6 pound whole turkey!

Avocado Oil – Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for higher heat cooking, such as roasting. It also has an ideal neutral flavor, not contributing or taking away from the deliciousness of the chicken. If you don’t have avocado oil, you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or even melted ghee instead.

Chef’s Tips

  • Have fun with this recipe and add any seasonings you’d like! A sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley and minced garlic would make flavorful additions to this air fryer whole chicken. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!
  • Pat your chicken as dry as possible before cooking. A dry bird will cook up much crispier in the air fryer! Therefore, use a few paper towels to dry your chicken before seasoning and cooking.
  • Leave your chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. If you cut into it too early, you risk having all of its delicious juices leak out. Therefore, give the flavor time to set and reabsorb into the meat before carving!
air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket with a lemon slice and fresh thyme on top

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Potatoes
  • Homemade Air Fryer Meatballs
  • Air Fryer Hot Dogs
  • 30 Keto Air Fryer Recipes
  • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
  • Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Air Fryer Pecan-Crusted Chicken with Honey Mustard Sauce

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

air fryer whole chicken in air fryer basket with a lemon slice and fresh thyme on top

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Prep:5 minutes
Cook:1 hour
Total:1 hour 5 minutes
This air fryer whole chicken is extra crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked and tender on the inside! We keep the seasonings light and simple, making it the perfect addition to any meal. This air fryer method is hands-down the easiest way to roast a whole chicken!
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8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 4-5 pound whole chicken giblets removed
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil see Notes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Instructions 

  • Pat chicken dry with paper towel then rub allover with oil and evenly sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Place chicken in air fryer with the breast side facing down. Cook at 360° Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
    air fryer whole chicken step 2
  • Flip chicken over and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit. Remove from air fryer and rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • Avocado Oil: If you don’t have avocado oil, you can use any vegetable oil or melted ghee in its place.
 
Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
 
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving, from a 5 pound whole chicken. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
 
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 8. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 308kcal, Protein: 25g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 102mg, Sodium: 95mg, Potassium: 257mg, Vitamin A: 191IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Sam Guarnieri

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Sam Guarnieri

Meet Sam Guarnieri

Sam is a travel, food, and fitness enthusiast from the New York metro area who loves creating new and inventive recipes. Her love of food goes all the way back to her early childhood, cooking alongside her mom and Nonna – the two best cooks she knows! She's a big believer that good-for-you food can still explode with flavor and (most importantly) be easy to make. When she's not in the kitchen, Sam can usually be found planning her next vacation, spending time outdoors, or bingeing the latest Netflix docu-series.

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