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Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Published: Jan 10, 2023 · Modified: Mar 8, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is the AMAZING! You are going to love how easy it is – because it is in the Air Fryer, after all! Break out the BBQ rubs and let’s make some chicken in less than an hour!

top down view of the whole chicken after cooking in the air fryer with BBQ rub.
Delicious Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Contents hide
1 🐔 Why This Recipe Works
2 🍗 Ingredients
3 ⏲️ Equipment and Tools
4 🍽️ Instructions
5 Storage
6 🧊 Freezer Friendly
7 🐔 Meal Prep Option
8 🍽️ Expert Tips
9 🍳 Recipe FAQs
10 How to Serve
11 Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Whether you choose to use a rub or not, this Air Fryer Whole Chicken is the most tender and juicy poultry you can make and is completely hands off.

You don’t need it to be 80 degrees outside and sunny to have an incredible BBQ chicken that will satisfy the entire family. This Air Fryer version can be made with just a simple rub.

Add on a nice, rich BBQ sauce afterward and you’ll have an amazing meal, so get those napkins ready. 

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Check out our MEGA Budget Binder →

🐔 Why This Recipe Works

Rotisserie Style Chicken for a fraction of the price – Who doesn’t love a good rotisserie chicken and now you get a version at home.

Affordable and delicious – Grab whole chickens on sale and you can keep the family fed on a budget.

Juicy and loaded with flavor – You know if you are using the Air Fryer, it is going to turn out to be juicy.

No grill or oven required – Enjoy crispy poultry without firing up the grill.

Use leftovers for meal prepping or for meals – Use leftovers to meal prep lunches for the week. Add some veggies or a salad for a great lunch. This chicken is perfect for meal prepped lunches with mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower or mashed rutabagas.

🍗 Ingredients

The ingredients for roast chicken recipe are beyond easy. You barely need anything, and the Air Fryer does all the work for you. Let’s take a look at what you will need:

ingredient photo showing the trussed chicken, BBQ rub, spray oil with labels in front of the air fryer.
Just Three Ingredients for Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Whole Chicken – Start with a 3 – 3 ½ pound chicken. Your air fryer might be able to handle more, so start at this size and work from there for the next one.

BBQ Rub – Pick your favorite BBQ dry rub. If it doesn’t stick to the skin, spray it lightly with the olive oil spray.

Olive Oil Spray – Olive Oil spray will give the skin a bit of moisture to keep the seasonings on the food and will allow it to cook properly. If you don’t add oil, the seasonings may not stay put. It will also help the skin to crisp up. **I don’t recommend cooking spray like Pam as they can damage the inside of the machine.

⏲️ Equipment and Tools

Air Fryer | Any version will work with this recipe. We have made this in our Instant Vortex 7 in 1 (which heats higher) and in our Ninja basket and it turns out fantastic in both. The Vortex has a heat source at the top that is pretty powerful so always remember to check early when using that machine.

If using Ninja, Cosori, GoWise or Nuwave, proceed as the recipe recommends. We always suggest checking recipes the first time you cook them as they all vary a little bit.

Liners | We love using liners for each clean up. For the couple bucks, they can’t be beat. Parchment paper works great as well.

Make sure to snag your {FREEBIE} Air Fryer Cooking Times Printable, Deep Fryer to Air Fryer Conversion Printable and Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Printable.

 🍽️ Instructions

I love flexible recipes like this! If you don’t love the taste of BBQ rubs, pull out the good ol’ Mrs. Dash or Old Bay Seasoning. Definitely use what you love and this will turn out to be a family favorite.

It will cook the exact same way, but it changes up the flavor. Doing it like this allows you to put the whole chicken on your weekly dinner rotation.

process photos showing spraying oil, sprinkling BBQ rub, adding the basket to the air fryer and cooking.
Simple Instructions for How Long to Cook Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Step One: Rinse off and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This will help the seasonings stick.

Step Two: Spray the whole chicken lightly with the spray olive oil, then apply three tablespoons of your favorite BBQ rub. Pro tip: spray avocado oil works great as well!

Step Three – BASKET STYLE: Heat up the BASKET STYLE Air Fryer to 360°F degrees. Place the chicken inside air fryer basket (chicken breast side down) and cook for 45-50 minutes. Turn the chicken over and air fry for an additional 10 minutes. USE AIR FRYER MODE

Note: It took our Instant Vortex Plus 45 minutes to cook our 3.75 lb chicken. Larger ones will take more time.

Step Three – TRAY STYLE: Heat up the TRAY STYLE Air Fryer to 360°F degrees. Once it reaches temperature and beeps (note that is different than the basket version!) then put the chicken in breast side down and cook for 45-50 minutes, turning half way when the beeper beeps. USE AIR FRYER MODE

This is a five minute prep and then completely hands off the rest of the time so it ranks very high up there for a repeat meal.

I get a lot done while dinner is cooking and I don’t have to pay attention to it. 

Tip: Always use the cook times on Air Fryers as a guide. Each one cooks slightly different. Rely on meat thermometers to know exactly when the dinner is done. For chicken, it should be 165°F degrees inserted into the thigh, according to the USDA. Try not to have the meat thermometer touch the bone as it will give an inaccurate reading. 

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, according to the USDA in a sealed airtight container.

Reheat quickly in the microwave for about one minute. Don’t over cook it as it will dry out.

All your burning questions: Can You Put Parchment Paper in Air Fryer? Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer?

🧊 Freezer Friendly

Freeze this chicken in freezer safe containers like Rubbermaid, or break it up and put it into a gallon Ziploc freezer bag. This can be kept for up to three months. Use the Freezer Tips and Tricks Printable for everything you need to know to safely freeze food.

Make sure to snag your {FREEBIE} Air Fryer Cooking Times Printable, Deep Fryer to Air Fryer Conversion Printable and Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Printable.

🐔 Meal Prep Option

I love to cook up a couple of these at a time when they go on sale and meal prep them for meals when we are busy or flat out don’t want to cook. These meal prep options can help you save money and eat healthier. We usually cook, tear apart the chicken and place in freezer grade bags so we can just defrost and move along with the meal.

Meal Prep Lunches: I love making this air fryer chicken recipe for my husband’s lunches (his favorite containers) so I tend to freeze the leftovers with veggies and stack them in the freezer so he has healthy and affordable lunches at work. Trust me, he has never complained as this recipe stays juicy even through freezing. 

Stretching a Whole Chicken: When cooking on a budget, whipping up a whole bird like this can stretch into many meals if you know how to do it correctly. We like to cook like this and add it to bags of frozen rice and veggies. Then the smaller portions of protein aren’t noticed.

🍽️ Expert Tips

  • Change up the spices to fit your needs. Virtually anything will work. We love a simple salt and pepper for flexibility. Garlic powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, rosemary, onion powder. Any ol’ seasoning blend will work on chicken! Pull out your spices and play with it.
  • Always start with breast side down as it will keep the juices flowing towards the white breast meat which keeps this bird so juicy and tender.
  • The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your bird and your air fryer. Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked.
  • Snag our {FREE} Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet.
  • Do not touch the bone when doing internal temperature check or it gives a false reading.
  • This is a great way to cook up a whole roast chicken and then shred and freeze for meals down the line like we did in the Air Fryer Meal Prep Chicken.
  • If your machine starts to smoke, place 1-2 pieces of bread at the bottom of the basket. Using a neutral oil like avocado oil will also help by spraying the basket.

All your burning questions: Can You Put Parchment Paper in Air Fryer? Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer?

cooked whole chicken in the air fryer basket.
Crispy Skin and Juicy Meat of the Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

🍳 Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook a chicken in an air fryer?

Depending on the size of your whole chicken, it will take 45 minutes to 60 minutes to fully cook at 360 degrees. I cooked a three pound one that only needed just under 40 minutes. The 5.96 lb one needed just over an hour in my Ninja basket for two reasons – it was much larger and it was harder to get the air to circulate given it took up almost 100% of the basket.

If that becomes a problem, take it out of the basket and cut it in half and put it back in and it helps a lot.

Can you cook a full chicken in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Just make sure that it fits. Depending on the brand of air fryer you have, you might find some whole chickens are too large to fit. A 3-4 pound bird is a great place to start.

What temperature do you cook chicken in an air fryer?

I recommend cooking your chicken at 360 degrees. It gives the skin an optimal crispy texture while the meat is perfectly juicy and flavorful.
I’ve cooked them from 350-390 degrees. Higher temperatures overcook the outside before the inside is done. This is also caused by the bird being too big. I have settled on a happy 360 degrees and have done 375 with no problem as well.

Is air fried chicken healthier?

Air fryers are so popular because it helps to cut out fat by 70-80% compared to deep frying.

Do you have to tie the legs together?

If they aren’t tied, they can get caught in the fryer when sliding in and out.

How to Serve

Besides eating this straight off of the platter after it comes out of the fryer (because you will want to, it is that delish!!) incorporate it into other family favorites.

Using in Recipes

Air Fryer Taquitos

Air Fryer Quesadillas

Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas

Taco Stuffed Avocados

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Instant Pot Cauliflower Fried Rice (add chicken)

Broccoli Rice Casserole (add chicken)

Side Dishes

Oven Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes

Smashed Potatoes

Easy Pasta Salad

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Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

top down view of the whole chicken after cooking in the air fryer with BBQ rub.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

You will fall in love with this super easy chicken recipe that is only five minutes prep time and you can walk away for an hour and allow this one to do its magic! {WW 4 Points, Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten Free}
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, Main, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 359kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 Chicken whole (3-4 pounds)
  • 3 tbsp BBQ Rub your choice
  • Olive Oil Spray

Instructions

  • Heat the Air Fryer to 360 degrees.
  • Rinse and dry the whole chicken. Remove the giblets. Spray the chicken with the olive oil spray and rub the BBQ rub on the chicken.
  • Place the chicken in the Air Fryer breast side down for 45-60 minutes, depending on how large your chicken is.
  • Turn the chicken over half way. When the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, remove and serve.

Notes

Chicken Fits: Make sure your whole chicken fits in your air fryer, with room around all the edges so the air flows properly. A basket version will not hold a 6lb chicken very well to allow the air to circulate properly. 
What Temperature to Cook Chicken: Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of your chicken reads 165 degrees. 
Depending on the size of your chicken, you will find that the cook time does vary. 
Season Chicken As You Like: Feel free to season your chicken as you would like. Reach for your favorite spices and herbs to create a rotisserie-style chicken to fit your flavor preference. 
Flipping Chicken: Insert tongs into the cavity and then flip from the tail end to the top instead of trying to flip on the sides. It is a lot easier to flip top to bottom. 
If Fryer Doesn’t Set to 360: Use 350 or 370 knowing that it may take a couple extra minutes at 350 or take off a couple minutes at 370. Remember to gauge when it is done by the internal temperature being 165 degrees. 
Allow Chicken to Rest: Always allow the meat to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting or all of the juices run out. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 359kcal | Protein: 31g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 316mg | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Ginny
Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

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About Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bindi U says

    December 10, 2023 at 1:02 pm

    5 stars
    I had no idea you could roast a whole chicken in the air fryer! I was surprised how crispy the skin became, while the inside is still juicy. Definitely making this again!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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