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You are here: Home / Recipes / Air Fryer / Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

December 30, 2019 By Aileen Leave a Comment This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Collage photo of whole chicken with words "air fryer rotisserie chicken".
Photo of whole chicken on platter next to plate of sliced chicken and words "air fryer whole chicken".
Photo of whole chicken cooked and words "the best air fryer whole chicken".
Collage photo of whole chicken with words "crispy air fryer whole chicken".

This air fryer whole chicken is juicy on the inside with perfectly crispy skin on the outside! You are going to love how easy it is to cook a whole chicken in your air fryer. Thank you to COSORI for sending us a sample air fryer toaster oven to facilitate this post.

Overhead shot of whole chicken on platter next to plate of sliced chicken and Brussels sprouts.

I love cooking whole chickens. They are so versatile. We start by eating what we want from it the first night. We eat it for leftovers on the second night or turn the chicken into something delicious like chicken tortilla soup or Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Finally, I use the bones to make a healthy and flavorful chicken stock. 

I have shared how to cook whole chicken in the slow cooker and instant pot over the years. But cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is a total game changer. (Other air fryer recipes we love are Air Fryer Bacon and Air Fryer Chicken Wings). Just in: check out our recipe for Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken.

Join our Air Fryer Recipe Sharing Group on Facebook!

Whole chicken on white platter surrounded by roasted Brussels sprouts.

The meat doesn’t fall apart like when cooking in either of the other appliances mentioned, yet the chicken comes out perfectly juicy and packed with flavor. The skin is so yummy and crispy – it tastes just like a rotisserie chicken you would buy from the grocery store!

What type of air fryer for air fryer whole chicken?

You can use any type of air fryer to cook a whole chicken. Just make sure the bird will fit inside your air fryer. If you have a smaller basket-style air fryer, you will need a smaller bird. Air fryer ovens tend to be bigger and can fit a larger chicken.

Small white plate served with air fryer chicken and veggies next to red striped towel.

We used the COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven with the rotisserie function. If you are looking to get an air fryer oven, this is a great model! It has a large size and has functions to air fry, toast, roast, dehydrate, and rotisserie.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
  • Air Fryer Frozen Pot Stickers
  • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
  • Fast & Easy Air Fryer Sausage
  • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
  • Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns

How to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?

  1. Start by preparing your chicken. Remove the giblets, pat the outside dry, and truss the chicken well so the wings and legs are tied down. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees. If cooking with an air fryer oven, set it to “roast” at the same temperature. (Note: this picture shows 400°F but the oven should be set to 380 as directed)Cosori air fryer toaster oven on countertop.
  2. Whisk together a spice rub of paprika, salt, sage, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and onion powder. Spices in a white bowl.
  3. I like to mix the rub together with oil and then brush it all over the bird. Make sure you use an oil with a high-smoking point for this recipe. We used avocado oil, but you could also use peanut oil or ghee. Whole chicken brushed with spices and oil.
  4. Place the chicken inside the air fryer and cook for 1 hour. You will want to flip the chicken over after 30 minutes. 
    • If using a rotisserie arm with your air fryer, you will not need to flip your bird as it will be turning throughout the cooking process. Make sure the arm is inserted in the exact center of the bird so the weight is distributed evenly and the wings and legs are trussed tightly. Whole chicken on rotisserie arm inside air fryer toaster oven.
  5. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and insert a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes and serve. Air fryer chicken resting on a platter.

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What to serve with air fryer rotisserie chicken?

We love serving homemade rotisserie chicken with a vegetable and starch side. Here are some ideas!

  • Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe
  • Air Fryer Cauliflower
  • Roasted Broccoli with Garlic
  • Easy Oven Roasted Zucchini and Yellow Squash
  • Instant pot baked potatoes
  • Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes 
  • Freezer Friendly Parker House Rolls Recipe
  • 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
  • Buttered Carrots
  • Instant Pot Butternut Squash

Continue to Content
Side view of whole chicken on white platter next to red striped towel.
Yield: Serves 8

Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

This air fryer whole chicken is juicy on the inside with perfectly crispy skin on the outside! You are going to love how easy it is to cook a whole chicken in your air fryer.

Ingredients

  • 5 pound whole chicken
  • 4 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees. (Use roast setting if using an air fryer oven)
  2. Remove giblets from chicken and pat dry.
  3. Tress chicken to tie down wings and legs.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together avocado oil and spices.
  5. Brush spice mixture all over chicken, including under the wings.
  6. Place prepared chicken inside air fryer. If using a rotisserie arm, insert it through the center of the bird and tighten the forks well.
  7. Air fry chicken for 30 minutes and flip. Cook for an additional 30 minutes. (flipping is not necessary when using rotisserie).
  8. Remove chicken from air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  9. Let rest 10 minutes and serve.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Instant Read Meat Thermometer
    Instant Read Meat Thermometer
  • COSORI CO130-AO Toaster Oven with Air Fryer, Dehydrator, Pizza & Roaster
    COSORI CO130-AO Toaster Oven with Air Fryer, Dehydrator, Pizza & Roaster

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1/8 chicken

Amount Per Serving Calories 607Total Fat 38gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 200mgSodium 451mgCarbohydrates 1gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 62g

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag us in your recipe creations using @aileencooks and #aileencooks.

© Aileen Clark
Cuisine: American / Category: Main Dish Recipes
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Collage photo of whole chicken with words "air fryer rotisserie chicken".

Did you try this recipe for air fryer whole chicken? Let us know what you thought with a rating and comment. You can also tag us in your recipe creations on social media using @aileencooks.

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Filed Under: Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Main Dish Recipes, Recipes, Whole Chicken Recipes Tagged With: whole chicken

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Meet Aileen

Hi, I'm Aileen. I'm married to the love of my life and mom to three busy kids. My mission is to help busy moms cook good food and enjoy their families. I invite you to check out my long list of recipes, fun projects (for kids and moms), and honest posts about motherhood.

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