Description
This Easy Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe gives you a golden, juicy bird with ultra-crispy skin in under an hour—no oven required. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, it’s a no-fuss recipe with big flavor, seasoned simply and air fried to perfection.
Ingredients
3.5 to 4 lbs whole chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Trim any excess fat or feathers.
2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. Rub mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin.
3. Truss the legs using kitchen twine for even cooking.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
5. Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 30 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken breast-side up and cook for another 20–25 minutes.
7. Check doneness with a meat thermometer (internal temp should be 165°F at the thickest part).
8. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For ultra-crispy skin, ensure the chicken is patted completely dry before seasoning.
Always rest the chicken before slicing to retain juices and flavor.
Cooking time may vary slightly based on air fryer size and chicken weight—always use a thermometer to check doneness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 6 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg