This recipe for air fryer whole chicken is simply delicious!
It comes out juicy with extra crisp skin and is infused with savory seasonings!
Making a whole chicken in the air fryer has never been easier!
Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Whole chicken comes out so flavorful, tender, and juicy and the meat just falls off the bone!
- This air fryer recipe roasts chicken quicker, and cleanup is a cinch!
- Great for dinner or for meal prep. Cook an extra chicken to have ready for sandwiches, soups, or salads.
Ingredients and Variations
Chicken – Make Air Fryer chicken from fresh or frozen in less time than it takes to heat up the oven! Choose a whole chicken about 2-4 lbs in size with intact skin.
Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, and parsley are all you need for a tasty chicken. But feel free to use onion powder, oregano, dried basil, lemon zest, or rosemary. A packaged blend like taco seasoning is great for prepping chicken salads and tacos all week!
Variations – This recipe also works for thighs, wings, or leg quarters (thigh and drumstick combined).
How to Air Fry a Whole Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, rub it with oil, and season.
- Place chicken breast side down (tuck the wings under the back) and cook (per recipe below), flipping over halfway through.
An instant-read thermometer should read 165°F at the thickest part (away from the bone).
For a Rotisserie Style Air Fryer:
Whether you have a Ninja, Vortex, or Corsori, check the user guide to ensure your chicken isn’t too heavy for the rotisserie spit.
- Place chicken on the spit and set the power to 370°F.
- Cook until a meat thermometer reads 165°F (longer for larger birds).
Tips for Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- For either method, let the chicken rest once removed from the air fryer for about 10 minutes so the juices can resettle back into the meat, keeping it extra juicy.
- Keep drippings to drizzle over garlic-roasted potatoes, or broccoli and cauliflower.
Storing Leftover Chicken
Keep leftover air fryer whole chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Remove the meat from the carcass first (save bones for future soups.) Freeze portions in zippered bags for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop it in the microwave and use as desired.
More Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken 2-4 lbs* see note for larger chickens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Rub the oil evenly across the chicken then sprinkle with seasoning.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down *see note for rotisserie.
- Cook for 50-60 minutes, flipping the chicken over half way through. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving. *see note
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Amazingly easy!!! Delicious as well!! I will use this recipe again!!
Trying my air fryer for the first time with this recipe. Wish me luck.
Good luck, Robin!!
Wanting to cook a 4 lb. chicken in my air fryer, but it’s still frozen. Will this work, and how?
Hi Cindy, we recommend defrosting your chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. You can thaw it in the fridge or by submerging it in cold water. We hope that helps!
Would 4.15 pounds be too heavy for the rotisserie spit?
Hi Amber, you will want to read your specific air fryer manual to be sure!
Thank you. I went with my gut and decided not to try it that attachment. I will try it on the grilling tray next time.
I’m trying this today. Fingers crossed.
You’ve got this, Stacy! Hope you love it.
What is the difference between the air fry and the roast function?- Can I roast the chicken?
We find the air fry function gives it a nice crisp skin. You could probably roast the chicken with similar results but we have not tested this recipe on that setting. We would love to hear how it turns out for you Jay.
Can you use reynoldsvwrap in air fryer
Hi Karen, that should work fine.
Question, in the paragraph the recipe, you say the recipe is for a 5 lb chicken, yet the recipe says 2-4 lb chicken. Just a bit confused. Don’t want to mess up my air fryer or my chicken.
For the rotisserie function, you can only make a chicken up to 4lbs. But with the air fry function, you can cook a larger chicken. Hope that helps!
Thank you!!
Do I turn the chicken over when I get a prompt or not?
You don’t need to – it will cook entirely with breast up.
Don’t the photos show the chicken with breast down?
Hi Hank, for this recipe we cook with the breast side up. Hope that helps!
I find the breast juicier starting it breast side down then turning it breast side up.
New to the Vortex and looking for recipes. Doing the 5 lb chicken today.
You will love it. How was it?