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An overhead view of crispy air fryer whole chicken in the air fryer basket.
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe

This air fryer whole chicken is juicy, simple, and so flavorful! You will love the extra crispy skin. Serve it with your favorite side dishes for an easy weeknight dinner.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 443kcal
Author John Kanell

Equipment

  • 6-quart air fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 (3½ - 4-pound) whole chicken (1.6-1.8kg)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  • Place the chicken on a plate. Empty the cavity of the chicken and pat the skin very dry with paper towels. Tuck the wings behind the back of the chicken.
  • Brush the chicken all over with olive oil. Place the chicken breast side up on the plate.
  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme. Sprinkle the breast side of the chicken with half of the seasoning mixture.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  • Place the chicken seasoning side down in the basket of an air fryer. Sprinkle the remaining seasoning all over the other side of the chicken.
  • Cook for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken breast side up, and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Use the chicken fat: The chicken renders a lot of fat while it air fries. You could toss potatoes or Brussels sprouts in it and roast them in the air fryer while the chicken is resting.
  • To cut down on the cooking time, remove the chicken from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before air frying so it starts to warm to room temperature.
  • Let the chicken rest after air frying: Allowing the chicken to rest for just 5 minutes after it cooks is important for the juices to redistribute for juicy meat.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer: Try my delicious and easy roasted chicken, which is cooked in a conventional oven, or my Instant Pot whole chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 861mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 396IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg