Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

My recipe for whole chicken in the air fryer is so easy and delicious. I never buy a rotisserie chicken from the store anymore! I love how it gets that oven-roasted taste without the hassle for a quick, satisfying dinner that never fails to impress.

My Easy Recipe For Air Fryer Whole Chicken

I’ll admit it took me a while to work up the courage to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer. Picking up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at the store was just so easy, and I kept putting off making my own.

But one day, the store was out of rotisserie chickens, and I realized the time had finally come! I bought a 5-pound chicken, and, to my relief, it fit perfectly in the air fryer basket. I whipped up a simple seasoning rub and stuck it in the air fryer.

I wasn’t totally sure about the time, so I used a meat thermometer to help. Once it came out of the air fryer, I could tell right away that the skin was way crispier than a store-bought rotisserie chicken!

Better yet, the meat on the chicken was juicy and tender, just how I love it. My husband Ben even noticed and told me, “Let’s never buy those rotisserie things again.” I used the leftovers for easy lunches and dinners the next few days. Now, this is one of my favorite meals to make on a Sunday to start the week off the right way!

And, if you love air fryer chicken recipes, try my recipes for air fryer chicken legs, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer fried chicken, and air fryer grilled chicken.

Air Fry Whole Chicken Ingredients

• Whole raw chicken – I used a 5 pound chicken to fit my 6 qt air fryer basket
• Black pepper – this helps the flavor of the chicken really pop
• Onion powder – helps give it a savory flavoring
• Garlic powder – adds a bit of bold flavor and complements the meat
• Paprika – adds a mildly sweet and smoky flavor and brings color to the chicken

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F. Prep the chicken and remove the giblets (if any) as well as the neck. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

STEP TWO: Make the dry rub by combining the black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Apply the spice mixture all over the entire chicken, making sure that the seasonings stick.

STEP THREE: Place the bird into the air fryer with the breast side up and air fry the whole chicken for 40 minutes. Flip, then cook for 15-20 minutes more. It will cook for a total of 55 to 60 minutes.

STEP FOUR: Insert a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh to check that the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips to Make the Best Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken

• Pat the chicken dry before adding the dry rub seasoning mix. Excess moisture can prevent the rub from sticking or the skin from getting crispy, so I always dry mine really well!
• Use an Instant Read Thermometer that beeps once the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. This is my secret to making sure the chicken cooks perfectly.
• Add a slice or two of bread under the basket to catch the drippings. I always do this to prevent the air fryer from smoking. Adding ¼ cup of water will also do the trick!
• For extra crispy skin, I turn the temperature up to 400 degrees F for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
• Tie the legs of the chicken together with cooking twine. This is optional, but it helps keep the inside of the chicken moist, so I think it’s worth the extra step!
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It also keeps well frozen in freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken Variations and Substitutions

• Instead of a 5lb chicken, I sometimes use this recipe to cook a 3lb whole chicken or even half a chicken!
• Use a little oil, like olive oil or canola oil, on the chicken. I like to skip this step since I find the dry rub does fine without it, but it helps the seasoning stick more if needed. Just stay away from cooking spray like PAM.
• Switch up the seasonings for a different flavor profile. I like using oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary to make an Italian seasoning and pair it with smoked paprika instead of regular salt, lemon juice, and zest.
• Marinate the whole chicken for a few hours or overnight before cooking to really dial up the flavor. This is my go-to if I’m making air fryer whole chicken for a special occasion!
• Stuff the cavity with aromatics. I like to use lemon, garlic, or fresh herbs. Just discard them after cooking.
• Brush the whole chicken with sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. I love doing this with BBQ sauce or honey glaze for a rich, caramelized finish.

What to Serve With Rotisserie Chicken in the Air Fryer

Chicken and potatoes are one of my comfort combinations, so I usually pair air fried whole chicken with sliced potatoes in the air fryer, baked sweet potato in the air fryer, or mashed potatoes.

I also love getting another veggie on the table like air fryer asparagus, air fryer carrots, or acorn squash in the air fryer.

Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer FAQs

Recipes to make with leftover air fryer rotisserie chicken

I LOVE using rotisserie leftovers for quick lunches or busy weeknight dinners! My 5-ingredient chicken salad recipe is a classic for sandwiches, and my husband loves a chicken bacon wrap, buffalo chicken wrap, and chopped chicken caesar wrap.

For a tasty appetizer, buffalo chicken egg rolls in the air fryer are always a hit. Sometimes, I will just toss them in soups or salads to serve too!

And, if I’m really ambitious, I will simmer the leftover carcass with some vegetables and herbs to make a homemade chicken broth.

How long to cook whole chicken in the air fryer

For a 5lb chicken air frying at 360 degrees F, I find that 55 minutes is just about the perfect amount of time. I always recommend using an Instant Read Thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked to 165 degrees F all the way through.

How do I get crispy skin when I air fry whole chicken?

The key to crispy skin is to dry the whole chicken really well. Excess moisture in the skin will prevent it from getting crispy in the air fryer, so I dry the chicken really thoroughly.

For extra crispy skin, I’ll also turn the air fryer up to 400 degrees F for the last few minutes of cooking.

How to reheat a whole chicken in the air fryer

To reheat leftovers from my whole chicken, I simply preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F, then add the sliced leftovers for 5-8 minutes until heated through. The air fryer keeps the chicken tender and moist!

More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

• Italian sausage in the air fryer
• Air fryer boneless pork chops
• Air fryer salmon
• Air fryer brats
• Filet mignon in the air fryer
• Air fryer meatloaf
• Burgers in the air fryer
• Air fryer tilapia

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