Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is fast, easy, and gives you crispy skin and juicy meat without heating up the oven. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or small gathering.

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📝 Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (3–5 lbs / 1.4–2.3 kg)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

• 1 lemon, halved (optional, for cavity)

• 2–3 garlic cloves, crushed (optional, for cavity)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken

1. Remove giblets from the cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

2. Rub the chicken all over with olive oil or melted butter.

3. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and dried herbs.

4. Optionally, stuff the cavity with lemon halves and garlic cloves for extra flavor.

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2. Preheat air fryer

• Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 5 minutes.

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3. Cook the chicken

• Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket.

• Cook for 30 minutes.

• Flip the chicken breast-side up and cook an additional 20–30 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness.

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4. Rest the chicken

• Remove chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

• This allows juices to redistribute, keeping meat moist.

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5. Serve

• Carve into thighs, drumsticks, wings, and breast.

• Serve with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

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💡 Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken

• Pat dry: This helps the skin crisp up beautifully.

• Even seasoning: Don’t forget to season under the skin if possible.

• Avoid overcrowding: Make sure air circulates around the chicken for even cooking.

• Crispier skin: Spray lightly with cooking spray or brush with extra butter halfway through cooking.

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✅ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4–6

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If you want, I can also share:

• 🍗 Air Fryer Spatchcocked Chicken (faster cooking, extra crispy)

• 🌿 Herb Butter Air Fryer Chicken recipe

• 🍋 Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Whole Chicken for extra flavor