Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

It always feels so special when I serve this Whole Chicken I made in the Air Fryer for our Sunday dinners. It’s not only so pretty and appealing on the dinner table, it’s so delicious, and moist and makes me feel so cozy. Most of all, it’s so quick and easy to make. If you haven’t tried making a Whole Chicken in your Air Fryer, you definitely need to try this recipe. Air Fryer cooks it much quicker than an oven and I like that I can get a better crisp as well.

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Why is it good to spatchcock the chicken?

In spatchcocking you flatten out the chicken. So the whole chicken cooks evenly. Where as when you roast the chicken the traditional way, it can dry out the chicken breast. The whole chicken gets evenly golden brown and the skin gets crispier as well.

The other plus is you can also marinate the whole chicken both inside and out where as in traditional roast chicken you have to stuff the cavity of the chicken to get it infused with flavor.

The cooking time is much lower when you spatchcock the chicken. Even quicker when you roast your whole chicken in your air fryer.

How I spatchcock my chicken

First cut from both sides of the backbone using kitchen shears. This is the kitchen shear I use, very affordable and it gets the job done. Then remove the backbone. You can open the chicken now from the behind. Notice that you still can’t flat the chicken as the chicken breasts are attached through a bone. This bone is known as keel bone. Using a knife, make a cut at the top of the keel bone where the chicken breasts are attached. This will allow you to flatten the whole chicken.

Alternatively, you can remove the backbone and then turn the chicken upside down, breast-side up. It will still hold its shape. Now, using your palm, gently press down on the center of the chicken breast until you hear the bone crack. This helps the chicken lay completely flat.

Air Fryers I Use:

I have two air fryers that I use in my kitchen right now. One small Cosori Air fryer and one large Air fryer with a steam option (I didn’t use the steam option for this recipe but steam makes it even more moist). I make whole chicken in both my air fryers and they always come out so good. Keep in mind the small compact air fryers brown the chicken a little faster than the large air fryers. Check the chicken in about 20 minutes and if the chicken is browning too quickly, reduce the temperature a little bit. It’s always good to use a instant thermometer to check the doneness.

Serving Ideas for Air Fried Whole Chicken

You can serve the chicken along with the veggies that you roasted. You can use the dripping to make it into gravy or a sauce too.

I also like to pair it up with some yellow rice. If you haven’t tried, give my aromatic flavorful yellow rice a try. It’s so good.

You can also serve it with dinner rolls or bread, roasted brussels sprouts , mashed potatoes and with a salad for nice dinner.

Print Recipe

Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Author: Roshani Wickramasinghe Cooking Method: Air Frying Cuisine: Famous Across multiple cuisines, Western Courses: Dinner Recipe Keys: Dairy Free Keto

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 35 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 50 mins

Cooking Temp: 375  °F Servings: 6

Description

My easy quick recipe to make perfectly golden, juicy and moist whole chicken in Air Fryer. 

To marinate the Chicken

Servings

• 1 ¹⁄₄ tsp Salt

• ¹⁄₂ tsp Granulated garlic or garlic powder

• ¹⁄₄ tsp Granulated onion or onion powder

• 1 tsp Paprika

• ¹⁄₂ tsp Dried oregano

• ¹⁄₂ tsp Cumin powder

• Zest from half a lemon

• 2 tbsp Lemon juice

• 1 tbsp Avocado oil or Olive oil

• 1 Whole Chicken about 4lbs in weight

To add to the bottom of the basket (optional)

• 3 Medium Potatoes, Cut into quarters

• 2 Medium Carrots cut into 2 inch wedges

• ¹⁄₄ tsp dried Rosemary

• ¹⁄₂ tsp Salt to season veggies

Instructions

1. Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, cumin powder, lemon zest, lemon juice and oil into a small bowl. Mix really well with a spoon until everything is combined. Set it aside.

2. Spatchcock the chicken: Cut from both sides of the backbone using kitchen shears and remove the backbone. And then add a cut to the top of the keel bone which is located between the chicken breasts. This will allow you to flatten the chicken breasts.  Turn it upside down so the chicken breasts face upwards. Press down the chicken breasts with your palm to flatten it out.

   freeze the backbone to make broth later.

3. Generously apply the marinade all over the chicken. Gently rub with your fingers. Set it aside to marinate. (You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and keep it in the fridge too)

4. Mix salt and rosemary with potatoes, carrots and onions. Place them on the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray.

   You can make the dish without vegetables too.

5. Place the chicken over the vegetables, breasts side up.

6. Air fry at 375F for 35 - 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. (If you have an air fryer with a sliding tray, rotate the tray after 25 minutes to ensure even browning)

7. When the chicken is cooked, take the basket/tray out and let it rest for 5- 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you're baking in the oven, bake for 45- 50 minutes at 400F in a pre-heated oven. 

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