Air Fryer Whole Chicken is an easy way to cook a whole roasted chicken. It is packed with flavor and seasoned with simple spices. Juicy, tender and taste delicious for a meal everyone will love!
As a busy mom of 8, I love making whole chicken to meal prep for the week. We have made Crockpot Whole Chicken, Roast Chicken and Instant Pot Whole Chicken to use in soup recipes and Easy Casserole Recipes to make dinnertime a breeze.
Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer gives it that golden brown texture while maintaining a juicy center. But the best part is that it is ready in about an hour with minimal prep and maximum flavors!
Why This Recipe Works
- Crispy Skin – I love how crisp the skin gets without having to deep fry it!
- Cooks Evenly – Because the air fryer circulates hot air the chicken turns out juicy everytime
- Minimum Prep – No basting required when cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer.
- Faster – Cooking whole chicken in the air fryer is faster than cooking in the oven or crockpot.
Ingredients
- Whole Chicken – Approximately 3 ½ – 4 pounds
- Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
- Seasoning Mixture – Kosher Salt, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Italian seasoning gives the chicken the best flavor. But you can use your favorite seasoning blend such as oregano, basil, onion powder and more.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Step 1 – Make sure your chicken can fit in your air fryer (untie the legs and flatten the chicken out if needed to make it fit). Clean the chicken inside and remove all the giblets from the cavity before cooking.
Step 2 – Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Step 3 – Rub the olive oil onto all sides of the chicken with your hands or a basting brush.
Step 4 – Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning mixture onto the chicken with a basting brush.
Step 5 – Place the chicken in your air fryer breast side down and air fry at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Step 6 – Flip the chicken over in the air fryer and cook for 30-35 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Start checking the chicken after 30 minutes and continue to check it every minute afterwards to ensure that the chicken does not get over cooked.
- Step 7 – Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes and then it’s ready to cut, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Meat Thermometer – I use an instant read meat thermometer to make sure that the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature before removing it from the air fryer. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees when the chicken is fully cooked.
- Prepare Chicken – Before seasoning chicken, make sure it fits in the air fryer basket. You may need to untie the chicken to make it fit. Make sure to clean the chicken and remove any giblets from the cavity before seasoning.
- Rest Chicken – Before slicing chicken make sure to allow the chicken to rest. This allows for the chicken to lock in the juices for the best flavor.
How Long do you Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer?
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken. But we cook our whole chicken at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then flipped the chicken and cooked for additional 30 minutes.
Total cooking time is about 1 hour and the chicken is fully cooked.
Variations Ideas
- Spicy – For a spicy flavor, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Fresh Herbs – Feel free to use fresh herbs for even more flavor. We suggest adding ½ tablespoon of Rosemary, Thyme, or Sage
- Lemon Pepper Chicken – Substitute the paprika with lemon zest for a hint of citrus flavor.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Whole Chicken?
Air Fryer Whole Chicken makes the best meal idea. Try these easy side dishes to complete your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
It will depend on the size of your air fryer but most 5-6 quart air fryers fits a whole chicken that is about 3 – 4 lb whole chicken. You may need to untie the chicken to flatten so it fits.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I like to shred or slice all the juicy meat off the chicken carcass and then store the leftover chicken to enjoy or use in your favorite casseroles, salads or soup recipes. See 32 Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes for even more ideas.
Yes, once the chicken has cooled I like to freeze the chicken in portions in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to reheat.
Reheat the leftovers in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 4-5 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave or in the oven in a baking dish.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you make Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken approximately 3 ½ – 4 pounds
- 1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
For the Seasoning Mixture:
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Make sure the 1 whole chicken (approximately 3½–4 pounds) fits inside your air fryer. Untie the legs and flatten the chicken if needed. Remove all giblets from the cavity and clean the chicken thoroughly.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Rub 1 tablespoon olive oil onto all sides of the chicken using your hands or a basting brush.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken using a basting brush or your hands.
- Place the chicken into the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 30–35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Begin checking the temperature after 30 minutes and continue checking every minute to avoid overcooking.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
It’s light and good. My family and I enjoyed it!
That’s going on my plate
The chicken was delicious! Moist and full of flavor. Everyone loved it and totally surprised everyone it came out of my air fryer!
Thank you so much Mary! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the positive review!
Wow! I have got to try this! Looks delicious!
I hope you enjoy it Becky!
very easy to make and good
Thank you so much Janett!
This whole chicken recipe prepared an air fryer is awesome.
Yes, we agree! We love this easy recipe and hope you try it out Randy!
Mmmmmm!! Roast chicken is my favorite
Lynn – We love it too! So glad you enjoyed.
Can’t wait to make this recipe thank you for sharing it with everyone.
My airfryer doesn’t heat up the house and now I can have chicken when I want to!!! WHooohoooo!!
Mishelle G
Mishelle – Yay! It’s so convenient. So glad you loved it.
I have made several eatingonadime recipes and every one I have made has been delicious.
Judie – Aww, this made our day! Thank you for these kind words.
Such an easy chicken dinner!! Thanks!
Leftovers make a wonderful taco!
Thank you!
SO GOOD!
Vivian – So glad you loved it. Thanks for sharing.
This dish was delicious. Great flavors!
Joan – I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Easy, simple and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipe. I sure love my Air Fryer!!
Cathy – Yay! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting us know.
I can’t wait to try more
Helen – yay! We love it too.
I will be preparing this dinner later on in the week.
Tasha – Yay! Can’t wait to hear back!
This takes air fried chicken to a whole other level! Makes me enjoy chicken even more! I had the receipe before from a friend. Lost it… thanks for resposting it.
Karen – I’m so glad we could help and that you enjoyed this recipe.
I never thought about cooking a whole chicken in my air fryer! With summer and warm temperatures this will be a perfect way to make dinner. Can’t go wrong with Chicken!
Definitely going to try this!
This recipe is so simple. I can’t wait to try it when I get my bigger air fryer from Costco today!
Woohoo! I hope you love it Jessica. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
I love using the air fryer, Ill have to try this.
Going to try this.. air fryer seems easier than other options!!
Claudia- Can’t wait for you to try it! We love the air fryer.
This looks delicious and so easy. With it being summer now, I’m going to have to try it. I’m not good at cooking chicken, but I don’t think I can mess this one up.
Perfect recipe for small whole chicken in the air fryer ! We love chicken and this recipe is very good
Wonderful recipe! Was so easy and love the convenience of using an air fryer! Family loved it and will absolutely be making this again!
Brenda – Fabulous! Thank you so much for letting us know. It means a lot!
Sounds so yummy!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Thanks Denise – I hope you love it!
I have never tried making air fryer Chicken. I love that this recipe is simple enough and not a lot of prepping that needs to be done!
Tiffiny – The air fryer makes it so easy. Hope you enjoy!
This was soooo easy and delicious. I love using my air fryer, especially during the heat waves that just keepcoming! Great recipe.
Trudi – Wahoo! Thanks for sharing!
I have tried this recipe. Simply put it was “delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Yvette – Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
Sounds delicious, I’ll be making it for sure.
I hope you love it Jerliyn!
I love this! Best idea for the summer. Easy, tasty, and does not heat up the kitchen!
Monette – I’m so glad you enjoyed. We love it too!
I made the air fryer chicken, was tender and juicy, thanks for recipe and suggestion on extra seasonings,will make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Margie! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you positive review!
Omg!!! I had NO idea I could cook a whole CHICKEN!!!!
Winner WINNER CHICKEN DINNER is on!!
Yeah! I hope you love it Heather! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sounds and looks delicious!
5 stars
Thank you so much Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the positive review!
Sounds so easy! Can’t wait to try it this week.
I hope you love it Robbie! Thank you so much for the positive review!
My air fryer and this chicken recipe will be a happy cooking day!
Woohoo! I agree 100% – Thank you Kathy!
Very yummy recipe! I will definitely try it now.
I hope you love it Cassie! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
This recipe looks amazing. I have never used an air fryer and was wondering if this could be cooked any other way. The recipes on this side are easy and inexpensive.
Rebecca, yes, you can make this in the oven. I have a recipe on how to roast a chicken. This can also be made in the crock pot with my Crock Pot Whole Chicken Recipe. If you try out either, please let me know what you think. Thank you!
Thank you for this recipe. Your recommendation on air fryer size would be good. I am still learning how to use my air fryer.
Looks so good. Can’t wait to try it this week.
I hope you love it Debbie!
the chicken was juicy and good flavor went good with cornbread stuffing and green beans
Yum that sounds amazing. I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Great way to cook a whole chicken and not heat up the house for sure! Propane is more expensive than electricity here right now so it’s exactly what I was looking for as I avoid using my oven.
Yes definitely! I agree and it tastes amazing as well.
So good
What a delicious way to cook a whole chicken. Yummy.
Lyn – So glad you liked it! Thanks for letting us know. You made our day!
Best easy way fix whole chicken
Beverly – It’s so easy! So glad you enjoyed.
I have tried this recipe and it turned out juicy and delicious
Who doesn’t love chicken? Cooking it in the air fryer has that over the top crisp to it, as well as made the chicken more flavor able. I will defiantly be saving thus recipe to use whenever the time may come for it.
Dakota – We love the air fryer too!
I am a Costco roasted chicken fanatic, but this turned out perfectly. But Costco wins for price and size of chicken.
Patricia – So glad it turned out perfectly. That is great!
Sounds good
Norma – We love it. Can’t wait for you to try it.
This is the first time I tried cooking a whole chicken! My husband and kiddos loved it. ???
Karina – Wahoo! So glad!
Looks delicious can’t wait to try this , by cooking it this way and trying it serval other way to … Awesome recipes always !!!
I can’t wait to try this my air fryer I have ever used and air fryer before but I have purchased 2 of them one big one with the double doors and the rotisserie basket .. I am going to do the spices very different and I am going to use a cornmeal and butter milk coating with pepper punch of salt … Dask of all spice light got peppers .. and hand rub it on to get as light as possible … It will be a baked chicken with a fried chicken taste … I think it will be good if the coating will stay on … Hope I win this contest … Not sure what all else I have to do to enter … These recipes on this onadime page are awesome hope I can add to them …Chuck
Easy Peasy!!! Yum and voila you have chicken!
This is my on & only way to air fry a whole chicken, yummy.
Adolide – It is SO easy! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is so easy and versatile! I’ll use this often. Thank you!
Athena – I’m so glad to hear this. Thank you!
I was so surprised how easy a whole chicken cooked in the air fryer. The chicken turned out so juicy and shredded easily.