Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

Whole Chicken Air Fryer Recipe – a game-changer for the way you’ll be cooking chicken for your family from now on! Crispy season skin on the outside, tender juicy meat on the inside, and the best part is that it takes very little effort to come together!

I used to struggle with cooking whole chickens. Either burning the skin and undercooking the insides or sometimes it would be overcooking the chicken and having soggy skin. Whatever the case was, it wasn’t until I started cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer that I had perfect results every time!

In the summertime, it’s great because I can cook an entire meal without turning on the oven. It’s energy-efficient and has minimal clean-up. When I do turn on the oven it leaves plenty of room to make a ton of side dishes to go along with it, which is great for when I’m serving a crowd.

Being able to stretch out a meal using an entire chicken is a budget-friendly way to serve your family. It’s a bonus if not everyone likes to eat the same part of the chicken. Dark meat for some and white meat for others!

This easy air fryer whole chicken recipe is amazing. It’s super flavorful but also flexible in that you can season your chicken any way you like!

When YOU make this Air Fryer Chicken Recipe, take a picture & DM me your Food Creation on Instagram @MunchkinTimeBlog we would love to see your creation!

Ingredients Needed

• Whole chicken: I use a 3-4 lb whole chicken. Make sure your air fryer fits a whole chicken before you start. It should fit well enough into the basket that there is room for heat to circulate, the tray closes properly and the chicken is not touching the element.
• Oil: I use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and is usually a healthy oil I keep on hand. Olive oil is also great. The air fryer works to crisp up the outside and the oil helps with that.
• Salt: You can play around with the amount of this depending on what meat or poultry seasoning you use. If there is a ton of salt already in it, use less added salt.
• Seasoning: Whatever kind you like! Garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and thyme are all classic choices.

 

Here is what YOU can make using leftover Chicken Meat:

Fried Chicken Cutlets Recipe with Green Onion 

Grilled Cheese Chicken Panini Sandwich

This Grilled Chicken Pita Recipe is to die for!

30-Minute Chicken Chimichanga Recipe

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in Air Fryer?

How to Store Cooked Chicken:

Store cooked chicken meat in airtight container inside the fridge for up to 3 days.  Or use leftover chicken with bones to make this amazing Chicken Bone Broth.

Cooking Tips

• I use organic grass-fed chickens. The flavor of the meat is so much better and I like knowing that they weren’t fed antibiotics. Free-run or free-range is also important to me. You can use whatever is within your reach and your budget, it’ll still turn out great!
• Let me know what type of seasoning or poultry spice you ended up using. I’m always up for trying something new.
• The amount of spice rub I use works out to be about 1 Tablespoon per pound of chicken.
• Stick to an oil that can be used in high heat. My two favorites are avocado oil, but olive oil works too.
• Use leftover chicken carcass and any remaining meat for delicious Instant Pot chicken bone broth.

 

Do I Need to Wash the Chicken First?

No, but I do! 🙂 Some people do this out of habit, or it’s something they grew up with or cultural practice. If it’s not something you normally do, it’s not necessary. There is some thought behind it that it easily spreads salmonella around your work area through splatter and down the drain as well.

Then again, some have been doing it their whole lives and have never had an issue. It’s a personal preference.

If you do decide to do it, just make sure to dry it first. Otherwise, you will lose out on that crispy skin! 

 

How to Tell When my Chicken is Done?

To get the most accurate reading to tell whether your chicken is done, place the thermometer in the thickest part of the breast or at the joint where the legs are. You’ll also notice the juices, if they run clear when poked, there’s a good chance your chicken is ready.

 

What Can I Make with Leftover Chicken?

Shred it up, chop it, or slice it up and use it on top of salads, in a club sandwich, in wraps, for soups, like chicken noodle soup, tacos, quesadillas, and more!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

Air Fryer Shrimp Patties Recipe

20-Minute Bang Bang Shrimp Air Fryer 

30-minute Bang Bang Chicken Recipe in Air Fryer

How to Make French Fries in Air Fryer

Q. Do YOU like this Whole Chicken Recipe?

Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

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This recipe was updated June 19, 2022, the recipe didn’t change!