Air Fryer Whole Chicken With Herbs Recipe Video

Why We Love this Chicken Recipe

You can air fry almost anything, why not a whole chicken?! Using an air fryer is a great way to cook a whole roasting chicken because it allows the skin to turn extra golden-brown and crispy, while protecting the meat, keeping it moist and juicy on the inside. The air fryer also circulates the heat, helping it to create even color and crispiness on all sides, not just the top. Plus, using this countertop wonder gadget keeps the oven free for side dishes! The most important thing to remember about air frying a whole chicken is that it needs to FIT into your appliance without touching the top heating coil. This means you may need to buy a smaller chicken if you have a small air fryer. Second, internal temperature is by far the most important element to know if your chicken is cooked. The proper internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. Check the bird early and continue to check as needed until your chicken is finished.

Ingredients You Need

Whole roasting chicken – fresh, or thawed if frozen Olive oil – or your favorite high-heat roasting oil like avocado or sunflower oil Spices – Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and garlic powder

Note: Our cooking instructions are for a 3 to 4-pound chicken. However, you can roast a smaller or larger chicken as long as it fits in your air fryer. Obviously, if you buy a 2-pound chicken as opposed to a 6-pound chicken, the cooking time is going to be different, that’s why internal temperature is so important.

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

Set a whole 3 to 4-pound roasting chicken out on a cutting board or in a baking dish. Check both the front and back cavities of the chicken to remove any gizzards. Pat the skin of the chicken dryer with a paper towel. Rub olive oil over the surface of the skin, making sure to coat it evenly on all sides. Set out a small bowl and mix the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken, rotating the chicken around for an even coating. (If needed, use your hands to rub the seasoning around the chicken for good coverage.) Place the whole chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side up. Close the air fryer and set it to 360°F. Air fry the chicken for 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the size. At the 30-minute mark, stop the air fryer and insert a meat thermometer deep into the breast and thigh meat. If they have reached 165°F, remove the chicken from the air fryer basket. Otherwise, close the basket and continue to cook in 5 to 10-minute increments until done. Allow the chicken to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Crisp and juicy chicken is a versatile main protein to serve with nearly any side dish. Make it the star of a comfort food meal alongside your favorite carbs and veggies! Hearty potato dishes like Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, or Garlic Butter Scalloped Potatoes, or Crispy Roasted Potatoes are always a big hit. Or enjoy it with Mac and Cheese, Stuffing, Corn Pudding, or any other yummy starchy sides. And the possibilities for vegetable side dishes to serve are practically endless. Some tried-and-true top veggies recipes are:

Oven Roasted Broccoli or Steamed Broccoli Haricot Vert and Baby Potatoes Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Honey Butter Roasted Carrots Roasted Vegetable Medley

How long should you cook chicken in air fryer?

At a minimum, the chicken needs to air fry for 30 minutes. A larger bird can take up to 50 minutes or so.

What size air fryer for a whole chicken?

We recommend a larger 6-10 quart air fryer to cook a 4-pound bird.

How long does leftover chicken last?

Cooked chicken will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and placing in the refrigerator. To freeze air-fried chicken, cool it first before transferring it to an airtight zipper bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.