This air fryer whole chicken comes out so juicy and flavorful each and every time. Cook it in under an hour and avoid heating up the kitchen!
The air fryer is a great appliance for cooking chicken. We love making air fryer chicken breasts and air fryer chicken thighs, among many others.
If you're looking for an easy way to cook a whole chicken while keeping your oven off, the air fryer is such a great option for you! Serve this air fryer whole chicken up with sautéed green beans and mashed sweet potatoes for a healthy, delicious meal.
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Reasons you’ll ♡ this recipe
- it's easy to prepare with a simple yet flavorful rub
- the chicken comes out perfectly juicy every time
- the skin on the chicken gets nice and crisp
Recipe video
Watch the video below to see how I cook a whole chicken in the air fryer! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- chicken- we used 3 lb whole chickens while testing this recipe; any larger and you may have troubles fitting the chicken into the air fryer. If you have a smaller chicken, be sure to check on it early.
- olive oil- we mix the olive oil with the spices to make a paste, which helps the spices stick to the chicken. You could swap for melted butter or avocado oil.
Step by step directions
1. Spice rub- in a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika. Add in the olive oil, and stir until it forms a paste.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
2. Prepare chicken- use a spoon to loosen the breast skin of the chicken. Add ⅓ of the rub under the skin of the chicken, using your hands or the spoon to disperse it evenly. Rub the remainder of the paste all over the chicken, coating the breast, thighs, wings and back.
3. Cook- Heat the air fryer to 350°F for at least 5 minutes. Add the chicken, and cook breast side down for 40 minutes.
TIP- we had the best success when using a large basket-style air fryer. This Cosori XL air fryer worked great. Using our oven air fryer (Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven) placed the top of the chicken quite close to the element and it scorched while cooking.
4. Flip the chicken- After 40 minutes, carefully dump the chicken breast side up onto a cutting board, then use spatulas to carefully transfer it back into the air fryer breast side up. Cook for 7-10 minutes breast side up, until skin is golden.
TIP- check the chicken using an instant read thermometer during the last 20 minutes of cook time; once chicken has reached 165°F in the thickest part (thigh- not touching the bone), it is ready to come out.
4. Rest chicken- allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes before carving.
FAQ
No. Some air fryers are too small to fit a whole chicken, so before you begin, make sure it will fit. We found 3 lb whole chickens to cook well in our Cosori XL air fryer, but not as well in our Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven.
A 3 lb whole chicken took roughly 45-50 minutes to cook through.
For this recipe, two tips ensure perfectly juicy chicken. First, check the temperature of your chicken with an instant read thermometer during the last 20 minutes of cook time to ensure you do not over cook it. Look for 165°F when inserted into the thigh of the chicken (do not touch the bone).
Secondly, resting the chicken is absolutely crucial in helping the juices settle into the meat of the chicken. If you can rest for 20 minutes it will be even better!
Storage & meal prep
A 3 lb chicken produces roughly 3 cups of shredded chicken meat, and you can easily store it for later.
- Cool completely, then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in a frying pan, using tongs to stir and flip the chicken, or serve it cold.
- You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Use up your chicken
More whole chicken recipes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken (so juicy!)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 lb whole chicken note 1
Instructions
- Spice rub- in a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika. Add in the olive oil, and stir until it forms a paste.
- Prepare chicken- use a spoon to loosen the breast skin of the chicken. Add ⅓ of the rub under the skin of the chicken, using your hands or the spoon to disperse it evenly. Rub the remainder of the paste all over the chicken, coating the breast, thighs, wings and back.
- Cook- Heat the air fryer to 350°F for at least 5 minutes. Add the chicken, and cook breast side down for 40 minutes.
- Flip the chicken- After 40 minutes, carefully dump the chicken breast side up onto a cutting board, then use spatulas to carefully transfer it back into the air fryer breast side up. Cook for 7-10 minutes breast side up, until skin is golden.
- Rest chicken- allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes before carving.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Lulu says
I will be trying this recipe tomorrow. I have Ninja Foodie trying to figure it out.
Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Lulu,
Is your Ninja Foodie the two basket? They look like a great Air Frier. I would love to know how it turns out.
Heather Bailey says
Absolutely delicious! So juicy and tasty!!! Best chicken ever!
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Heather, thank you - we are so glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for leaving a rating and review!
Gina Hartley says
Am going to try this in my Pioneer Woman Air fryer.
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Gina, we hope that you enjoy it! Please be sure to report back to let us know how it turns out 🙂
Diana says
Turned out so moist! Instructions were great
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Diana, that's amazing! We're so glad that you enjoyed, and that the instructions were easy to follow! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a rating and review. 🙂