Air fryer whole chicken is gluten-free, paleo, keto, low carb, and also Weight Watcher friendly! You can make a whole chicken and save leftovers for meals throughout the week.
I recently just upgraded my air fryer to a Power XL 5.3 QT. My old air fryer was having issues in the back where the air vents out. Do not leave your air fryer near a wall or anything because one day it overheated and the back venting area started to melt. Plus the timer on it no longer worked. No way would this almost 5 lb whole chicken have been able to fit in that.
If you are on a hunt for an air fryer and have never bought one before do get one with a larger basket size like mine is. Mine is 5.3 quarts and holds way more. This Power XL air fryer is by far my favorite air fryer because of the digital temperature and time sets you can enter.
🧡 Loved this recipe? Try out Air Fryer Chicken Recipes, Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich, and Air Fryer Chicken Breast!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Do you wish you could have a chicken that tastes like it came right out of the rotisserie? Try this method for cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer.
After you try this method for cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer you will not buy any premade storebought ones anymore. I used my homemade seasoning to coat the chicken and sprayed it with some olive oil cooking spray.
Instead of deep frying your chicken in oil and fat, it is much healthier to air fry your whole chicken instead.
Check out even more Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
Ingredients Needed
- 5 lb whole chicken - Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your whole chicken!
- Seasoning - Use your favorite seasoning to flavor the chicken. Some of my favorites are Dano's or blackened seasoning.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray - To help get the skin extra crispy!
- See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Take the whole chicken out of the packaging and pat it dry.
Step 2: Season it with your favorite seasoning. I used my easy homemade seasoning. Sprinkle that stuff over the whole chicken. Then spray it with some Olive Oil Cooking Spray.
Step 3: Set the whole chicken in the basket and set your timer to 45 minutes and your temperature to 350. After the 45 minutes is up, take the bird and flip it over and cook for another 15 minutes.
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to help the skin become golden and crispy.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking for more even results.
- Tuck the wings behind the chicken to prevent them from overcooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F and the thighs reach at least 175°F for tender, juicy meat.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving so the juices have time to redistribute.
- If your air fryer is smaller, choose a chicken that fits comfortably in the basket with space for the air to circulate.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Whole Chicken is delicious served with classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, corn on the cob, or a fresh garden salad. It also pairs well with dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf, or roasted baby potatoes.
Use any leftover chicken for sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, casseroles, or chicken salad throughout the week.
Storage, Reheating and Freezing Tips for Chicken
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven or microwave.
For longer storage, remove the meat from the bones and freeze it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
My 5-pound chicken was done in an hour. A whole chicken weighing 6.5 pounds takes 75 minutes. If you have any chicken that is more than 6.5 pounds please make sure to check if that will fit in your air fryer basket first. If your bird is bigger than your air fryer basket you might want to consider baking it in the oven instead. 🙂 For every chicken that is higher than 6.5 pounds add on 15 minutes.
Yes it can, pay attention to the weight and size of a chicken. Some whole chickens might not fit into the air fryer basket. Then just cook it per pound.
No you do not. The air circulates all around the chicken while it's cooking in the basket. No flipping is needed!
More Great Air Fryer Recipes to Try
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The Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Prep Time: 5min
- Cook Time: 60min
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Description
Air fryer whole chicken is gluten-free, paleo, keto, low carb, and also Weight Watcher friendly! You can make a whole chicken and save leftovers for meals throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 1 5 lb whole chicken
- 2 tsp of seasoning (your choice)
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Take the chicken out of the packaging and pat it dry.
- Season it with your favorite seasoning. If you are gluten-free look for seasoning without any gluten in it. I used my easy homemade seasoning. Sprinkle that stuff over the whole chicken. Then spray it with some Olive Oil Cooking Spray.
- Set the whole chicken in the basket and set your timer to 45 minutes and your temperature to 350. After the 45 minutes is up, take the bird and flip it over and cook for another 15 minutes.
- The temp of the chicken must read 165. If it is not up to the temp by then cook for 10 minutes longer.
Notes
4 oz of chicken is 7 smart points
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 338
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 74g
Jenna says
Yeah that is fine.
Lucille says
Do you start it breast side down?
Jenna says
My recipe is for a 5-pound chicken. Just reduce the amount of time it takes to cook.
Dani says
Jenna how do I compute time for a 4.5 lb chicken
Jenna says
A 6 lb chicken will need to go longer than 45 minutes.
Bhamgal says
Jenna, I am trying a whole chicken in my new air fryer for the first time. My chicken weighs 6.5 lbs. Is 350 and 45 min. still OK? Just keep checking until 165 degrees?
Jenna says
Helen, I have a Power XL air fryer 5.3 QT.
Helen says
Hi which air fryer do you recommend?
Jenna says
45. I fixed it.
Sarah says
On the recipe you say 45 minutes for cooking but above you say 30 minutes. Which is accurate? I just got an air fryer and I can’t wait to try this!