Air fryer whole chicken is a foolproof way to get perfectly cooked chicken every time. The meat is so juicy and moist, while the skin gets super crispy and flavorful. Ready in under an hour, serve with potatoes and salad for a family friendly weeknight dinner.

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- THE BEST AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN
- WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS EASY RECIPE
- WHAT YOU NEED FOR AN AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN
- HOW TO COOK A WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER
- EXPERT TIPS
- SEASONING VARIATIONS
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS
- MORE AIR FRYER FAVORITES
- Did you make this recipe?
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
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THE BEST AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN
I love cooking many things in my air fryer, but this whole chicken *might* just be one of my favorites. I used to be intimidated by roasting an entire chicken in the oven, but this air fryer method is so easy even your kids could do it!
It takes less than an hour and delivers succulent, juicy meat and crispy skin Every. Single. Time. I serve mine with roasted potatoes and a garden salad for a healthy meal the the entire family devours.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS EASY RECIPE
- The entire chicken cooks quicker than in the oven
- You need just 5 ingredients
- It's gluten and dairy free
- A healthy dinner the whole family loves
- Leftovers are great to meal prep with chicken salad, sandwiches, or even soups and casseroles
WHAT YOU NEED FOR AN AIR FRYER WHOLE CHICKEN

- Whole chicken: Look for one that's 3-4 pounds. If you can find an organic one that's even better!
- Olive oil: This gets the skin SUPER crisp and helps the seasoning to stick
- Seasoning: I kept it simple with salt, pepper, and a little bit of Italian seasonings. See below for more variations
HOW TO COOK A WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER
- Remove the giblets from the inside of the chicken
- Set the chicken onto a plate and rub olive oil all over the outside of it
- Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings, then place the chicken breast side DOWN in the air fryer basket
- Cook at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, then flip over so the breast is facing up and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F
- Take the chicken out of the air fryer and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving it



EXPERT TIPS
- Be sure to remove the giblets
- If your chicken is too tall for the air fryer, press down slightly to break the breast bone and flatten it
- Substitute the olive oil with avocado oil or melted butter
- Cook the chicken breast side down first, it helps to retain moisture and will result in a juicier chicken
- Pull the chicken when the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F then let it rest and finish cooking- this way you don't over cook it
- Save the bones from the chicken once it's done and make your own homemade broth or chicken noodle soup!
SEASONING VARIATIONS
Since this air fryer chicken is such an easy recipe to make, you can really get creative and customize the seasonings to your liking! Here's a few ideas to switch things up:
- Elote seasoning
- Chili lime
- Lemon pepper
- Ranch dry rub

SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Entrée: Slice the chicken into pieces and serve it with roasted or mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salad, and cornbread for a delicious, family friendly meal.
- Salad: You can either add chicken to a salad for added protein or use leftovers to make yummy chicken salad!
- Soups and stews: This chicken is great in chili, classic chicken noodle soup, chicken florentine soup, or even a hearty chicken stew
- Other: If you're looking for more "out of the box" ideas, try turning it into air fryer enchiladas, tacos, burritos, grain bowls, or a rich chicken lasagna or this creamy tahini pasta.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS
You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, just place your desired amount onto a microwave safe dish and cook 30 seconds-1 minutes until heated through.

MORE AIR FRYER FAVORITES
- Air fryer BBQ chicken wings
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs in air fryer
- Crispy air fryer buffalo chicken tenders
- Air fryer teriyaki chicken
Did you make this recipe?
If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, follow me on Instagram and tag me or use #incoleskitchen so I can see what you made and share it!
Update: This recipe and post have been updated with step-by-step photos and an improved recipe card.
PrintAir Fryer Whole Chicken
This air fryer chicken is a foolproof way to get perfectly cooked chicken every time. In under an hour you can have moist, succulent chicken with the crispiest skin. Serve with potatoes and salad for a healthy, family friendly, meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 Minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound Whole Chicken (giblets removed)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the giblets from the inside of the chicken
- Set the chicken onto a plate and use your hands to rub olive oil all over the outside of it
- Season with salt, Italian seasonings, and pepper then place the chicken breast side DOWN in the air fryer basket
- Cook at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, then flip over so the breast is facing up and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F
- Take the chicken out of the air fryer and allow it to rest on your cutting board for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving it
Notes
- Be sure to remove the giblets
- If your chicken is too tall for the air fryer, press down slightly to break the breast bone and flatten it
- Substitute the olive oil with avocado oil or melted butter
- Cook the chicken breast side down first, it helps to retain moisture and will result in a juicier chicken
- Pull the chicken when the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F then let it rest and finish cooking- this way you don't over cook it
- Save the bones from the chicken once it's done and make your own homemade broth or chicken noodle soup!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
Keywords: how to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer, whole chicken air fryer, air fryer rotisserie chicken
Lauren says
So juicy and flavorful! I was proud to say I finally roasted a chicken by myself! Nicole’s directions made it so simple!
★★★★★
Nicole Radcliffe says
I'm so glad the directions were clear for you and that you enjoyed it! Have a happy holiday!