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If you can’t resist crispy skin, you will LOVE this Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe. The air fryer crisps up the exterior beautifully and the herbed butter slathered all over the chicken makes it delectable!
Whole chicken falls somewhere between your everyday chicken breast dinner (like Oven Baked Chicken Breast) and a Thanksgiving turkey. For an average-size family, it’ll serve you dinner for a weeknight with leftovers for the next day or it’ll work when your in-laws are coming for dinner, but it’s not a holiday roast—unless it’s an especially gargantuan chicken!
Since discovering the magic of cooking whole chicken in the air fryer, I’ve cut down on my Costco rotisserie chicken habit because this version is tastier and I know what’s in it. The hot circulating air of the air fryer makes the skin super crispy, while the inside remains tender and juicy. And because it doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen, the air fryer is great for summertime!
And the flavor of this chicken? It’s a knockout! Credit goes not only to the air fryer for this, but also the fabulous herbed butter that’s spread all over the bird before air frying. It’s savory, smoky, bright, and lemony, the perfect combo for bringing out the best in chicken!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Whole Chicken – A 4-5 pound chicken with the giblets removed.
- Salted Butter – Adds richness and helps create a crispy, golden skin. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, just add an extra pinch of salt.
- Italian Seasoning – A flavorful herb mix that’s much easier than grabbing a bunch of different jars from the pantry!
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder – Enhances the savory flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – For a smoky, slightly sweet note.
- Chili Powder – Provides a mild heat and earthiness.
- Lemon – You’ll need both the juice and the zest.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper – Two essentials for seasoning!
- Garlic Cloves – Crushed garlic adds wonderful aroma and flavor. Garlic and chicken are magic together!
- Fresh Rosemary and Thyme Sprigs – These infuse the chicken with flavor as it cooks.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Prepare. Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F and mix the butter, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the chicken. Rub the butter under the skin and over the chicken, then stuff the cavity with garlic and herbs.
- Cook. Tie the chicken legs with kitchen twine and place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360˚F for 30 minutes.
- Flip. Carefully flip over the chicken and air fry for 10-20 more minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 160˚F.
- Serve. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Air Frying a Whole Chicken
Here are some additional tips to ensure your air fried whole chicken turns out perfect every time. It’s similar to how I made my Easy Oven Roast Chicken but even better in the air fryer.
- Keep your air fryer size in mind. If you have a smaller model, you may need to use a smaller chicken.
- Toss the lemon in the cavity. For extra lemon flavor, you can cut the juiced and zested lemon into a few pieces and stuff that into the cavity with the herbs and garlic.
- Make sure the chicken is completely thawed. If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking in the air fryer to ensure it cooks all the way through.
- Let the chicken rest before serving. After removing the chicken from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, giving you moist, juicy chicken.
Variations
Use this air fryer whole chicken method and add your own favorite seasonings! Here are some ideas.
- Make it blackened. Use my Blackening Seasoning recipe to coat your chicken before air frying.
- Try herbs de Provence. Give your chicken some French flair with my Herbs de Provence Recipe.
- Brine your chicken beforehand. Soaking chicken in a saltwater solution will make it extra juicy and tender. Learn more: The Best Chicken Brine.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
To store air fryer whole chicken, break down the leftovers and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. (Don’t throw out the carcass! Use it to make Homemade Chicken Stock.) For longer storage, freeze the chicken in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.
You can reheat the leftover chicken in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F. Adding a splash of broth or water and then covering the pan with foil when reheating helps keep the chicken moist and prevents it from drying out.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Whole Chicken
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 4-5 pound whole chicken, giblets removed
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F.
- In a small bowl combine the butter, italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
- Rub the butter mixture under the skin and over the entire surface of the chicken. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the garlic and herbs.
- Tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine.
- Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer. Cook at 360 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 10-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160˚F on an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
- Remove the chicken and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve Immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
