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.

air fryer whole chicken on parchment paper with roasted garlic and herbs.

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

ingredients for an air fried chicken labeled with black text.

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

oven stuffer roaster on a plate. — **Rub oil and seasoning all over the chicken**

whole chicken in air fryer basket. — **Place chicken breast side down in air fryer basket**

whole chicken cooked in air fryer basket. — **Cook at 350 F for 35 minutes before flipping and cooking another 10-15 minutes**

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

half of an oven stuffer roaster with crispy skin on parchment paper surrounded by roasted vegetables.

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.

whole chicken cooked in the air fryer on a plate surrounded by roasted vegetables.

MORE AIR FRYER FAVORITES

Did you make this recipe?

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Update: This recipe and post have been updated with step-by-step photos and an improved recipe card.