Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Preparation 10 min
- Cooking 1 h
- Servings 2 to 4
- Freezing Absolutely
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe: Crispy Skin & Juicy Meat Every Time!
If you’re looking for the best way to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, this air fryer roast chicken recipe is a game-changer! With crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat, this method delivers perfect results every time—no dry or flavorless chicken here!
Using an air fryer to roast a whole chicken not only saves time but also ensures even cooking with minimal effort. In less than an hour, you’ll get a perfectly seasoned chicken, with a lightly caramelized crust thanks to brown sugar and a balanced spice mix. Rosemary, herbes de Provence, garlic, and onion powder add incredible flavor, while lemon pepper and a hint of chili bring the perfect amount of zest and spice. Honestly, this chicken recipe rocks.
Why Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer?
🔥 Quick & Even Cooking – Unlike a traditional oven, an air fryer circulates hot air evenly, ensuring your chicken cooks faster and gets perfectly crispy in under an hour.
🥶 Less Oil, More Flavor – You don’t need tons of oil to get crispy, golden skin! The air fryer method keeps the chicken juicy while using minimal fat.
💡 Effortless & Hands-Free – Once your chicken is seasoned and placed in the Ninja Air Fryer or any air fryer model, there’s almost nothing left to do! Just flip it once at the end to ensure even crispiness.
The Best Air Fryer Roast Chicken, Every Time!
With this air fryer whole chicken recipe, you’ll never go back to oven-roasting! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor, this is the perfect meal for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.
Once you try this Ninja Air Fryer whole chicken, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen! 🔥🍗
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✅ Tips & Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken!
🔥 The Secret to the Perfect Air Fryer Roast Chicken
1️⃣ Pat the skin dry: The drier the skin before cooking, the crispier it will be. A quick wipe with a paper towel does the trick!
2️⃣ Season under the skin: Massaging the spice blend directly under the skin and inside the cavity helps the flavors penetrate for ultra-tasty, juicy meat.
3️⃣ Follow the right cooking steps: Start breast-side down to keep the meat tender, then flip it for crispy, golden skin at the end.
🍗 Perfect Cooking Tips
- Don’t overcrowd your Air Fryer: The chicken needs enough space for the hot air to circulate properly.
- Use a meat thermometer: Remove the chicken when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for juicy, fully cooked meat.
- Let it rest before slicing: Rest for 10 minutes under foil to allow the juices to redistribute evenly.
🥗 What to Serve with Air Fryer Roast Chicken?
Once your air fryer whole chicken is perfectly roasted, pair it with:
🍽️ Grilled veggies or homemade mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
🥗 A fresh, crunchy salad for a lighter touch.
🍞 Garlic butter toast when you’re feeling indulgent.
🥡 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat without drying out: Warm at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes or use the Air Fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 5 minutes.
- Freezing: Slice into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
With these tips, your Air Fryer whole chicken recipe will always be crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with flavor. Enjoy! 🔥🍗
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
🧂 Spice Blend:
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) melted butter
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dried rosemary
- 1 tsp (5 ml) herbes de Provence
- 2 tsp (10 ml) onion powder
- 2 tsp (10 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon pepper
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) chili powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
- Black pepper, to taste
🐔 Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (1.5 kg / 3-3.5 lbs or a size that fits your Air Fryer)
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Preparation
- Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking. Pat the skin dry with paper towels for extra crispiness.
- In a bowl, mix all the spice blend ingredients with the melted butter to form a paste. Rub the paste all over the chicken, making sure to coat all sides.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 330°F (165°C). (I use a Ninja Foodi, which runs about 50°F hotter than the displayed temperature, so I adjust accordingly.)
- Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches about 160°F (71°C).
- Flip the chicken and increase the temperature to the highest setting. Cook for another 10 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Check the internal temperature with a thermometer—it should read 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part (thigh or breast).
An Air Fryer of 5 liters or more can cook a chicken weighing 1.5 kg (3-3.5 lbs). For a smaller model, opt for a Cornish hen.
In general, cook for 50 minutes at 350°F (165°C) breast side down, then turn over and cook for 10 minutes at maximum temperature to brown the skin. Always check the internal temperature!
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