Whole Chicken In Air Fryer Recipe

This air fryer whole chicken recipe is a must-try. It's a quick and easy way to cook a flavorful, tender, and juicy whole chicken with crispy skin.

Roasted with fresh herbs and garlic, this whole chicken beats the pants off any air fryer whole chicken you've ever tasted. The flavor is unbeatable!

Air fryers are easy to use and great for cooking whole, crispy chicken without heating up your kitchen.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this air fryer whole chicken recipe will be an instant hit! And there is no reason why you shouldn't make it a regular. The ingredients are easy to find. Even better, you can grow the herbs in your kitchen garden. 

Ingredients you Need

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Whole chicken - When buying a whole chicken, make sure it is fresh. Check out for signs of spoilage like grayish color, slimy, and a foul smell. Also, don’t leave it in the fridge for longer than two days. If you don’t plan on cooking it right away, you are better off freezing it.

Fresh tarragon, thyme, sage, or rosemary- These fresh herbs are the secret to a flavorful chicken. They enhance the taste and add to the aroma. Be sure to use sparingly as rosemary and sage, especially, have a strong flavor. You can substitute with dry herbs if fresh ones aren't available. The chicken will still taste great.

Garlic - Though highly thought to be a vegetable, garlic is a herb.  It’s one of those must-have ingredients when making any type of chicken dish. Used along with the above herbs, it helps turn the flavor up significantly.

Tools Used to Make the Recipe

• Air Fryer
• Mixing Bowl
• Instant Meat Thermometer  

How to make air fryer whole chicken

In a small bowl, combine tarragon, thyme, sage, garlic,  olive oil, salt, and pepper, and set aside.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and rub the mixture all over the chicken, including under the breast’s skin and cavity. Tie the chicken legs with kitchen twine if preferred.

Place the whole chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry 390ºF for 40-50 minutes turning halfway through or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF in the thickest part.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Truss the chicken to help it cook more evenly and retain its shape. Tie the legs and wings with kitchen twine to hold them close to the body.
• To keep the chicken moist and flavorful, baste the chicken with melted butter or olive oil halfway through cooking. 
• To get crispy skin, spray the chicken with cooking spray before cooking or brush it with a thin layer of oil. 

What to serve with Rotisserie chicken 

• Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Eggplant In the Air Fryer
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the Air Fryer
• Artichoke Salad

How to Store Leftover Chicken 

Once your chicken leftover has cooled down completely, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Be sure to refrigerate within 2 hours of sitting at room temperature. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), you should refrigerate at 40 F (or less) and consume within 2 to 3 days.

If you are planning to freeze, store the leftovers in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. It should be safe for consumption for up to six months, but for the best quality and taste, store it for up to four months. Be sure to portion and label the chicken before sealing and freezing.

How to Reheat a Whole Chicken?

The best way to reheat a whole chicken without drying it out is to use either an air fryer or an oven. Using an air fryer is obviously the easiest and the best as it retains the meat's juiciness and the skin's crispiness. Simply cook it at 350 degrees F for 5-6 minutes or until it is heated through.

To reheat in the oven, preheat to 350 degrees F. Place your chicken in an oven-safe baking dish and add a cup of chicken broth or stock to the bottom of the dish. Cover with a foil and let it cook for 20 minutes. This helps to moisten the chicken. 

Remove the foil and let it roast for a further 5-6 minutes to crisp up the skin. Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy.

FAQs

How to Clean a Whole Chicken?

For most people, cleaning a whole chicken is the least glamorous part of cooking, either because of how intimidating the entire process is or how messy it can get. Either way, it isn't anything technical, just a straightforward process.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Snip the packaging and take the chicken out by holding the drumsticks. Be careful not to spill any juices on the kitchen surface. Remove any giblets, neck, or other organs from inside the cavity. 

Step 2: Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, trim off any excess loose skin and fat from the chicken's cavity and neck area, as well as any remaining feathers from the wings, neck, and around the legs. Some people prefer to remove the head and feet. 

Step 3: Rinse the chicken under cold running water, both inside and out. Use your fingers to rub the skin and remove debris or blood gently. You can rub a lime on the chicken or use vinegar to get rid of the smell, but that's totally optional.

Step 4:Pat the chicken dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.

Step 5: At this point, the chicken is ready to be air-fried or stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

Once you have finished cleaning the chicken, make sure to wash your hands and any surfaces that may have come in contact with the chicken. Raw chicken should be handled with lots of care to avoid cross-contamination and the spread of harmful bacteria.

 

How to Carve a Whole Chicken?

Carving a whole chicken can seem intimidating, understandably so. On the flip side, though, it's actually a pretty straightforward process. The secret is having the right tools for the job – a sharp carving knife and a roasting fork. 

The first step is to let the chicken rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful as well as easier to carve.

Next, hold the chicken steady with the fork and cut through the skin between the thigh and the body. Pull the leg away from the body until the joint pops out, then cut through the joint to separate the drumstick from the thigh. Repeat with the other leg.

Remove the wings by cutting through the skin between the wing and the body, then pull the wing away from the body. It should pull away with so much ease if the chicken is well done. Repeat with the other wing.

Lastly, carve the breast meat. Start at the top of the breastbone and make a long cut along one side of the breast. If you prefer sliced breast meat, you can use the carving knife to slice using long, smooth strokes. Repeat on the other side of the breast and plate your chicken.

Be sure to cut through the joints rather than trying to cut through the bones. This will not only make the carving process easier but will also help to keep the meat intact. Plus, you can be sure no one will choke from the split bones!

Can you Cook a Stuffed Chicken in the Air Fryer?

You most certainly can cook a whole stuffed chicken in the air fryer until crispy. A few things to keep in mind, though: the chicken will take longer to cook, and you must cook it with the breast side up; otherwise, the stuffing may fall out, ruining your dinner.

Stuffed air fryer chicken is delicious, crispy, and flavorsome. It makes for a perfect quick midweek dinner.  

Can a Whole Chicken be Cooked from Frozen in the Air Fryer?

Yes! That's how magical air fryers are. The chicken comes out just as crispy, juicy, and delicious as the unfrozen chicken. Of course, it will take a little longer because it has to defrost. 

To speed up the defrosting, set your air fryer to cook at the lowest temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes, then spice up your chicken and let it cook.

What Size of Air Fryer Could Fit a Whole Chicken?

The size of the air fryer will depend on the size of the chicken, but typically, you will need a large family-size air fryer to fit a whole chicken. For a small chicken, say 3-4 pounds, an air fryer with a 5-6 quarts capacity may be sufficient. However, if you are planning to cook a larger chicken, like the size our recipe calls for, you may need an air fryer with a capacity of 5.8 quarts. 

A rule to always remember is that your chicken should fit comfortably in the basket without touching the heating element at the top of the fryer. 

Cooking a whole chicken in air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal. This simple recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. So, next time you're in the mood for a tasty and easy meal, try this air fryer whole chicken recipe!

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You'll Love

• Air Fryer Cornish Hens
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• BBQ Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer

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