Crispy skin, moist and juicy meat is what you can expect as a result when you learn how to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer.
This roast chicken cooks up in about the same time it would take you to go to the supermarket and buy a rotisserie chicken.
This air fryer roast chicken is a great way to prep chicken in the summer because you don't need to heat up the house with the oven!
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Don' get me wrong, I love the convenience of a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
I've been known to use rotisserie chicken in Chicken Noodle Casserole, Chicken and Stuffing Casserole or a Creamy Chicken Pot Pie but I'll tell you, I've been buying them less and less now that I know how easy it is to prepare a my own whole chicken in the air fryer!
Serve this "rotisserie" style chicken as is for dinner with potatoes (I'd suggest air fryer sweet potatoes) and a vegetable or salad or use it in chicken soups, sandwiches or even use for meal preps!
If you prefer to serve your roast chicken with gravy, here's a recipe for Easy Homemade Gravy that doesn't require any drippings!
Related: Air Fryer Asian-Glazed Chicken Recipe
Everything you need to air fry a chicken
- Chicken - 3 to 4 pounds
- Fat - I prefer ghee but you can use a high-smoke point oil such as avocado oil or coconut oil
- Seasoning - If you have your favorite go-to seasoning feel free to use that or you can use the spices I list in the recipe card - to me, simple is best.
- Air Fryer - I have tried several types and my favorite continues to be the Cosori 5.8q. I have dabbled in the multi-purpose air fryers and I have found them to be underwhelming.
Instructions
Similar to roasting a chicken in the oven, you want to remove anything that is stored in the cavity (giblets etc).
Dry the chicken skin and inside of the chicken. I use a paper towel for this.
Rub ghee or oil all over the chicken and then season the heck out of it with your seasoning mixture.
Air fry for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, use a quick-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should read 165 F in the thigh.
If your chicken has not come to temperature yet, pop it back in, in 5 minute increments.
Obviously, the bigger the chicken, the longer the cooking time.
I know it is hard to tell in a photo but below is a picture where I am trying to show how juicy this chicken meat is!
F.A.Q.
No. Despite just about every recipe I see telling me I have to, I have never flipped i over and it as juicy as can be.
Ghee is butter with the milk solids and water removed. It has a high smoke point so it has all the benefits of butter and no smoking up your kitchen.
Try using your air fryer chicken in some of these delicious recipes:
- Instant Pot Buffalo Mac
- Buffalo Chicken Egg White Omelet
- Creamy Chicken Soup
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Bacon Garlic Chicken Pasta
Printable Recipe Card
Whole Roasted Chicken in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 4 lb whole chicken
- 1 T ghee (clarified butter) or other high smoke point option (coconut oil)
Seasoning Ingredients
- ½ T coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- If using my seasoning blend, combine all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Remove gizzards, neck etc from inside the chicken. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels - Inside and out.
- Rub ghee all over chicken.
- Sprinkle half the seasoning all over and inside chicken. Reserve the other half for later use.
- Place chicken in air fryer basket and set to 350 F for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes, use a quick-read thermometer to check temp of chicken. If not reading 165 F, place back in at 350 F in 5 minute increments until 165 F temperature is achieved.
- Enjoy!
Visit some of my other Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Bacon - Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Rolls - Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders - Air Fryer French Fries
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Cathy says
I love knowing that I can cook healthier in my air fryer. Thank you for sharing the recipes with me.