Air frying a whole chicken can seem intimidating for beginners, but it’s actually a simple cooking method that results in an easy weeknight meal with crispy skin and juicy meat. With just a few tips on cook times and temperatures, you’ll have delicious air fried chicken on the table in no time
How an Air Fryer Works
Before jumping into cook times it’s helpful to understand what makes air frying different than other cooking methods. Air fryers rapidly circulate hot air around the food to cook it. This allows the exterior to get crispy and brown while the interior cooks through gently. The convection heat mimics deep frying but uses little to no oil.
Factors that Impact Cook Time
Several factors impact how long to air fry a whole chicken:
- Chicken weight – A smaller 3 lb chicken will cook faster than a larger 4 lb one.
- Air fryer capacity – Larger air fryer baskets can accommodate bigger chickens.
- Temperature setting – Higher heat cooks chicken quicker.
- Flipping – Flipping halfway through promotes even cooking.
So cook time can range quite a bit based on these elements. Keep reading for specific guidance.
Recommended Time and Temperature
Through extensive testing, the ideal time and temperature combination for air frying a whole chicken is:
- Temperature: 360°F
- Time: 45-60 minutes
At 360°F, the chicken will cook through gently without drying out. Lower temperatures take longer while higher temperatures can make the meat tough and dry.
Cook Times by Chicken Weight
For best results, follow these air fry cook times based on the weight of your chicken:
- 3 lb chicken: 45-50 minutes
- 3.5 lb chicken: 50-55 minutes
- 4 lb chicken: 55-60 minutes
These times allow for perfectly cooked poultry from the smallest to largest chickens.
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these simple steps for foolproof air fried chicken:
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Prep the chicken: Remove giblets, pat dry, and season or rub with oil and spices. Trussing the legs can help it cook evenly.
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Preheat air fryer: Set to 360°F and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
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Cook chicken breast-side down: Place chicken in fryer breast-side down. Cook for about 30 minutes.
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Flip and cook: Carefully flip chicken so breast is up. Cook for 15-30 minutes longer.
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Check temperature: Insert a meat thermometer in thickest area. It should reach 165°F.
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Rest and serve: Let chicken rest about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Results
Implement these tips for perfectly air fried chicken every time:
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Season under the skin for maximum flavor infusion. A simple dry rub works great.
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Avoid overcrowding the basket, which prevents air circulation.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Check in a few thick spots.
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Let the chicken rest before carving so juices redistribute.
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Pour drippings over vegetables to give them extra flavor.
Cooking Multiple Chickens
For larger gatherings, you can cook two smaller chickens simultaneously in most air fryer models. Just be sure to:
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Use chickens under 3.5 lbs so they fit comfortably.
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Position them opposite each other with breasts down.
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Add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
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Rotate chickens halfway through for even cooking.
Delicious Seasonings and Rubs
One of the best parts of air frying chicken is experimenting with different seasonings. Consider these flavor ideas:
- Lemon pepper and rosemary
- Italian herb blend
- Cajun or jerk seasoning
- Chili lime dry rub
- Moroccan spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika
- BBQ spice mix
- Garlic, onion, salt, and pepper
Get creative and find your favorite!
Convenient Leftovers
The great thing about cooking a whole chicken is having leftovers handy for meals throughout the week. Use shredded leftovers for:
- Chicken salad sandwiches
- Burritos or fajitas
- Casseroles or pot pies
- Soup add-ins
Or simply reheat pieces in the microwave for quick protein any night.
Juicy, Crispy Whole Chicken is Just a Click Away
As you can see, air frying a whole chicken is simple and yields delicious results. In just 45-60 minutes you can enjoy a full meal with tender, juicy meat and crispy browned skin. Experiment with different herb blends and spice rubs to find new favorite flavors. Feel free to refer back to this guide whenever you need a reminder on suggested cook times and temperatures. Happy air frying!
how to air fry a whole chicken
- Rub the outside of a 4 to 5 lb. chicken with a healthy oil like coconut oil, olive oil or avocado oil. I lightly spray the outside with my avocado oil cooking spray to make this part super easy. Next, coat the outside of the chicken with a generous amount of seasonings, at least 1 tablespoon. You can use whatever flavors you like!
- Place the chicken with the breast side down in the basket of the air fryer. Set the temperature to 360°F for 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, use a pair of kitchen tongs to turn the chicken over, breast side up, and cook an additional 20 minutes at 360°F. Once the time is up, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken meat is at least 165°F.
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
Why you’ll love it
- Air fryer chicken is quick and easy.
- No need to heat up the oven during the hotter months of the year.
- Perfect for meal prepping chicken to use in other meals.
- Turns out tender and juicy every time!
- Whole Chicken: Buy a chicken that weighs between 4-5 lbs. If your air fryer is less than 5 quarts, you will need to get a smaller chicken.
- Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil are good choices.
- Seasonings: Salt, garlic powder and onion powder make a great whole roasted chicken that can be used in a variety of different recipes. Feel free to add any seasonings you like!
Air Fryer Roast Chicken | How long to cook whole chicken in air fryer
FAQ
How long do you cook a whole chicken in the air fryer?
Place in the air fryer basket, breast-side down. Air-fry at 370 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip the chicken, breast-side up, and continue to air-fry until skin is crisp and brown, 15 more minutes. Tent aluminum foil over the chicken and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
How long do you cook chicken in the air fryer for?
Air fry: Preheat the air fryer. Place the chicken on the air fryer basket / grate in an even layer, leaving a bit of space for air to circulate around. Air fry the chicken at 415 degrees for 10 minutes. If you have larger pieces of chicken, you’ll want to go closer to 13 minutes.
How long do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
Air Fryer Method: If you’re using an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F. Place the chicken inside and let it cook for 6 minutes. After the first 6 minutes in the air fryer, use tongs to carefully flip the chicken. Let it cook for another 2 to 8 minutes. The total cooking time might vary depending on the thickness of your chicken.
How do you air Fry a whole chicken?
As is typical when air frying a whole chicken, the recipe suggests cooking it upside down for the first half and then turning it breast side up for the second half of the cook. Alongside the chicken, in the smaller drawer I placed halved tomatoes.
How long does it take to air Fry rotisserie chicken?
Thanks to your air fryer, you can have these on the table in 15 minutes flat. All you need are corn tortillas, shredded rotisserie chicken, garlic, cheese, refried beans, and salsa. Once you’ve made this recipe, you’ll no longer be tempted by the ultra-processed ones.