Air Fryer Chicken - Deliciously moist chicken that's flavorful and crispy on the outside! So easy to make in your air fryer in no time at all!
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How has it taken me this long to tell you about one of my favorite Christmas gifts I received? It's my air fryer. How much do I love thee? Well, let me count the ways.
I've made so much in the air fryer already. Baked potatoes, pork chops, chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, corn on the cob and the list goes on.
Today, however, we're roasting a whole chicken, and let me tell you what. . .it's completely delicious.
Can I make a confession? I never roasted a whole chicken EVER before I got my air fryer. Josh has always been the one to make them in our Big Easy oil-less deep fryer. And when we use that, we're usually cooking two chickens at a time and serving a crowd.
I love that it's so easy to make a small chicken in the air fryer.
I used a 4.25 pound bird and it was the perfect size for our family of four. If you're cooking for less, just get creative with the leftovers and make something like this Chicken & Potato Chip Casserole.
For seasoning, I use my favorite dry rub recipe.
For an air fryer, dry rubs, breadcrumbs and Panko work best. Liquid marinades can be used but they're more messy and have the potential for causing some smoke in the house when they drip through to the bottom of the fryer.
My air fryer is a 5.3 quart and big enough to feed a family of four. This particular brand also makes a 3.4 quart model but I wasn't sure the basket was going to be big enough for us. I have to say, I'm really happy I went with the larger size.
HOWEVER, right now it has a permanent home in our basement closet. I'm carrying it up and down the stairs multiple times each week. It's just another sign that I need a bigger kitchen, right? 😉
I normally flip the chicken about 30 minutes into cooking and then roast for another 20 or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
I love surrounding the air fryer chicken with these honey roasted carrots. It's the perfect weekend or even weekday meal.
If you have an air fryer and haven't used it much yet, I encourage you to get it out! It's not just for heating frozen food like chicken nuggets and french fries.
You can make REAL food in this gadget. I promise. One of my other favorite recipes in the air fryer is this
5-ingredient lemon chicken. It's quick and it's delicious.
If you've been thinking about purchasing an air fryer but were on the fence before, I hope this post today inspires you to go out and pick one up. . . or order it online. They are wonderful, and all of the food comes out crispy and flavorful.
Do you already have an air fryer? If so, let us know how you're enjoying yours and what you've made so far!
Ready for More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes?
Air Fryer Roast Chicken
Ingredients
- 4.25 pound whole chicken
- Ingredients for dry rub recipe or your own seasonings
Instructions
- Clean chicken and pat dry.
- Sprinkle generously with dry rub or own seasonings.
- Spray fry basket with cooking spray and place chicken into the basket with the legs facing down.
- Roast chicken for 330 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
- Flip chicken.
- Roast for 20 more minutes at 330 degrees Fahrenheit or until internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notes
- Ensure Even Coating: For optimal flavor and seasoning, ensure the dry rub or seasonings are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the chicken. Rub the seasoning mixture both on the outside and inside cavities of the chicken, ensuring every part is well seasoned.
- Check for Doneness: While the recommended cooking time and temperature provide a good guideline, it's essential to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the meat. This guarantees that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Let it Rest: After removing the chicken from the air fryer, allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful roast chicken.
Barney
I’m a diabetic any recipe that pertains to that subject I would like to receive
Elizabeth
So...I think the center of my bird was frozen and I didn't realize it! I followed temps and times, even added another 10 minutes, and after dinner was already 45 minutes late, I carved into a beautiful roasted on the outside, raw on the inside chicken. I was mortified! I had to run to the supermarket and grab 2 rotisserie chickens from the deli so I could feed my family. I WILL NOT GIVE UP! hahaha
Sara
Elizabeth, no! Do not give up! Try again and come back and share your results! Yes, make sure you start with a thawed bird - the cook time is for a chicken 3-4 lbs.
Natalie B Urbanski
I misplaced the bars to do my rotisserie chicken can I still bake it in there without it
Sara
Yes! I didn't use a rack for mine.
Holly J Urban
I drizzle my breaded food with olive oil if I have some on hand and I normally do but I've also have used other oils vegetable oil also works well.
Martin hall
Temperature for UK?
Sara
I believe it would be 200ºC?
Jodie
How big is your air fryer?I haven’t tried the chicken in there yet always worried it won’t fit
Sara
Mine is 5.3 quarts.
Paula Brown
This was outrageously delicious! I did use my own seasonings and I sprayed my chicken with EVOO as well as the basket. Perfect cooking method! Thank you!
Sara
I'm glad your chicken turned out, Paula!
Pam
I’ve got leg quarters in my air fryer now just turned them after 30 min. I think the leg may be over cooked before the rest get done. Any suggestions?
Sara
You could always detach the leg from the quarter if the leg seems to be cooking faster. I never had an issue with the legs becoming overcooked when I've roasted the whole chicken before. I've never tried leg quarters though.
Marcella
So glad I found your blog. I have not made much in my fryer because I could not find recipes and only a pamphlet came with my fryer. I am going to try your roast chicken. Wish me luck!
Sara
Good luck, Marcella! Please let me know how your chicken turned out!
charlotte
i just got my paula deen xl air fryer yesterday 8.5 qt going to make youre chicken for dinner tonight hope it comes out good my first time trying air fryer glad i searched f or recipes for it
Sara
Let me know how your chicken turned out, Charlotte!
William Wallace
I put foil on the wings and drums so as to avoid burning and start the bird breast down so the skin turns out just right following the 30/30 flip method. I also like to spatchcock the bird and stud the breast and thighs with garic cloves
Carm
Just got my XXL air fryer yesterday, cooked bacon in it last night,and my kitchen got a little smoky, hoping that doesn't happen every time I cook something in it! I really want to try your chicken recipes, so glad I found your blog! Oh and the brussel sprouts or right up my alley!!
Sara
You're going to love your air fryer, Carm!
Shirley Paton
Put a little water under your basket it stops the white smoke and makes it easier to clean if cooking fatty food. I cooked pork chops last night and added the water. No white smike
Anni
I am so excited about this recipe, I love Chicken and love my fryer!
joanne R Harwell
I did this and it was oh so good. i put a stuffed bacon wrapped cream cheese inside the chicken for seasoning and it was oh so good. Ive cooked everything from corn dogs to meat loaf--makes the best potatoes also!
Sara
I love your cream cheese bacon version of the chicken. I find out more and more uses for my air fryer every day, too - and I agree on your potato comment!
Pat
My phillips xl highest temp is 200 .how does that equate with your 330deg? Thinking about the whole chicken.
Sara
Hi Pat, that doesn't sound right. Are you talking Fahrenheit temps? If so, your air fryer should at least get as hot as 400º Fahrenheit.
poppy
I know I am late to this conversation and you have probably worked it out by now. My Philips airfryer is celsius degrees. 200 is the hottest, that's about 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Roseann Mcgovern
Made your recipe for the chicken, it came out great we loved it.
But it made a big mess when I pulled out the basket,the juices from the chicken
ran all over the place. How can I prevent that in the future.
I would like to make it again
Sara
I lift the chicken out of the basket into a baking pan to cut it up. Try that next time! Glad you enjoyed the chicken!