Have you ever made a whole roast chicken in your air fryer? Air Fryer Whole Chicken is juicy and tender inside with yummy crispy skin on the outside!
Roast chicken is a classic dish that will always be one of my favorites. It's so simple and easy to make, yet so versatile. You can make SO many different dishes using a rotisserie chicken!
Now that we're going on Month 3 of living without a kitchen during our full kitchen remodel, the air fryer has become one of my family's greatest no-kitchen-required small appliances. We literally use it almost every single day now. So be prepared for plenty of new air fryer recipes coming your way!
What makes air fryer chicken so good?
Air frying a whole chicken is even easier than in an oven, if you can believe it. It's so fast! And I love that it frees up the oven in case you DO have other items you want to cook or bake in it at the same time.
When you air fry a whole chicken, the skin is incredibly crispy (my favorite part!!). The herbs are beautifully incorporated into both the skin and the meat. The meat, meanwhile, turns out beautifully tender and juicy.
I really LOVE air fryer chicken, and think you will, too!
What size air fryer do you need to cook a whole chicken?
You really need one of the larger air fryers to make a whole rotisserie-style chicken. I have a 5.8 Quart GoWise Air Fryer. It's the basket style, versus the open door style air fryer. It's the perfect size for a 4 to 5.5 pound whole chicken.
If you have a 5.3 quart air fryer, go for a 3-4 pound chicken.
I would not recommend trying to cook a whole chicken in a smaller air fryer. If you have an actual rotisserie option with skewers in your air fryer, be sure to read the manufacturer instructions before cooking.
What do you need to make air fryer whole roast chicken?
Many air fryer recipes for whole roast chicken don't call for oil or butter. Here's the thing: you can go without, but you'll probably end up with chicken that sticks to the air fryer basket. And, the skin just won't get as crispy while keeping the meat juicy without any oil or butter.
So while air fryer rotisserie chicken IS slightly healthier because you do use LESS oil and butter than traditional roast chicken, don't leave it out completely.
For this recipe, you'll need:
- a whole chicken - between 4-5.5 pounds if you have an XL air fryer like I do; smaller air fryers will usually accommodate around a 3-4 pound chicken.
- butter (or vegan butter to keep this dairy-free)
- garlic
- lemon
- thyme
- sage
- salt
- pepper
How do you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?
Making a whole air fryer chicken really couldn't be any easier. It takes just 5-10 minutes max of active, hands-on time. The rest of the time, the chicken is cooking up without muss or fuss in the air fryer!
Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Mix together the herbs and butter (or just the herbs if you prefer to omit the butter). Season the entire chicken. Air fry breast side down at 370°F for 30 minutes. Open the basket and turn the chicken over. Air fry for another 20 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
What to serve with air fryer whole rotisserie-style chicken
This crispy whole chicken goes with so many delicious side dishes!
Try serving rotisserie chicken with:
What wine pairs best with roast chicken?
Roast chicken pairs well with medium-bodied white wines. Try an oaked Chardonnay or Viognier. It also pairs beautifully with Champagne or other sparkling wines.
If you're in the mood for a red wine, try a lighter bodied red with low tannins. I've enjoyed many Oregon Pinot Noirs with roast chicken. You can also enjoy a bright Gamay with this air fryer rotisserie chicken.
Some wines to pair with air fryer roast chicken:
- 2016 Roserock by Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir ($35)
- Domaine Perraud 2017 Macon-Villages Vieilles Vignes
- 2018 Penner Ash Viognier ($36)
- Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec ($18)
Recipes you can make with this air fryer whole rotisserie-style chicken
Easy Homemade Ramen- Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing (CPK Copycat Recipe)
CPK Thai Chicken Pizza (Copycat Recipe)
Curry Chicken Salad with Honey Dijon Almonds
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium whole chicken
- 2-4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon sage leaves
- about ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes
- Remove chicken from packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
- Meanwhile, mix softened butter, garlic, thyme, sage, and lemon juice together. Slather over all sides of the chicken evenly. Season with salt and pepper (just enough to lightly season the bird. Don't go overboard with salt and pepper).
- Cook chicken, breast side down, at 370°F for 30 minutes
- Open the basket and gently turn the chicken over.
- Cook at 370°F for another 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
PIN IT:
Joanna says
This looks so good! I didn't know you could fit an entire chicken in the air fryer. I love when chicken has crispy skin.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Yeah! It's amazing!
tweenselmom says
I love chicken cooked in the rotisserie. My husband has this recipe where he uses spices and aromatics that we all love. Thanks for the reminders.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Sounds great! :)
Ching says
I simply adore my air fryer. I didn't realize something this large would remain crispy yet most on the inside. Thanks for the recipe.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It almost seems too good to be true! Thanks, Ching!
Charlene says
I've been wanting to get an air fryer for a long time. Hoping to get one soon! I'm definitely pinning this recipe for when I do!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I hope you are able to get one! They're great! Thanks, Charlene!
Monidipa says
You made me crave for chicken. Although never tried it but it looks damn tasty.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Treat yourself to some! ;)
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
My brother said that it does taste better on an air fryer. He has one and he cooks on it all the time.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's such a diverse cooking tool!
Jon Maldia says
Ive actually done this. However, I cook the chicken first in a instapot then I fry on an airfryer. It helps cut the time and make the chicken really tender and crispy.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Ooh! Love that idea!
catherine santiago jose says
Thank you for sharing such amazing recipe for our number main ingredients to have "Chicken". We all loved chicken that we have so many recipe for it. The roasted chicken you've featured looks really delicious and the crispiness of the texture is so mesmerizing.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much for the nice comment, Catherine! :)
Gervin Khan says
Chicken is one of the most favorite meal in our home. It such an easy and delicious recipe to make and it so mouthwatering!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! You can't go wrong with chicken!
Maartje van Sandwijk says
I'm vegan and don't eat any meat but THIS LOOKS DELICIOUS. Also, can't believe you can fit an entire chicken in an airfryer!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Right?! There are so many vegan snacks that you can make in the air fryer as well! Thanks, Maartje!
Laura | Wandercooks says
Brilliant! This was super easy and the skin was sooo crispy, just how I like it!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's my favorite as well! Thanks, Laura!
Whitney says
That chicken looks so delicious and crispy! I have yet to try it in an air fryer and looking forward to this!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Let me know how you like it!
Kari Hermann says
This is such an easy recipe to follow. I love crispy skin on my chicken! What is there that can't be made in an air fryer?
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
The possibilites are endless! Thanks, Kari!
Suzy says
Ohhh this looks insanely good! Love how easy it is to make! I am loving that I don't have to use a bunch of oil for a nice crispy skin!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Right?! Me too! Thanks, Suzy!
stephanie says
Can't wait to try this recipe in the air fryer looks like it's full of flavor and nice and moist.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
The air fryer is the way to go with chicken! Thanks, Stephanie!