This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is so simple and delicious. In under one hour you can have a juicy and tender chicken, with an irresistible crispy skin. You’ll never want to buy a grocery store rotisserie chicken again!
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In somewhat exciting news, I am the proud new owner of an Air Fryer! I am so excited y’all, I have been wanting one for so long! We purchased the Air Fryer XL which holds a LOT and I LOVE IT!
So, get ready, because I think there will be lots of new air fryer recipes coming here soon!
How to make Air Fryer Whole Chicken – Step by Step
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and put it on a clean work surface. I usually place mine in a bowl to help keep everything contained! Next, you’re going to loosen skin from the breast meat of the chicken by running a small spatula or your fingers gently underneath the skin. Spread about 2 tablespoons of softened butter all around underneath the skin on to both breasts.
- For this next step, I love to use Trader Joe’s BBQ Rub and Seasoning to season the chicken. It has hints of coffee and garlic that translate into a really flavorful and crispy skin.
- You can use any bbq rub that you prefer for this step though! Sprinkle two tablespoons of bbq rub all over the entire surface of the chicken and rub it in well so that it sticks.
- Place the chicken breast-side down in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes is up, pull out the basket and flip the chicken breast side up. Place it back in the air fryer for 15-25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees. Now you’re ready to enjoy some truly delicious chicken!
What to serve with Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
- Pesto Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans
More awesome Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is so simple and delicious. In under one hour you can have an incredibly juicy and tender chicken, with an irresistible crispy skin. You'll never want to buy a grocery store rotisserie chicken again!
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 307kcal
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 whole chicken, about 3-5 pounds
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe's BBQ Rub and Seasoning, or bbq rub of your choice
Instructions
- Remove chicken from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Remove and discard neck and giblets from cavity of chicken.
- Loosen skin from the breast meat of the chicken by running a small spatula or your fingers gently underneath the skin. Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter underneath the skin on both breasts. Use your fingers to spread it around under the skin.
- Liberally sprinkle the bbq seasoning over all sides of the chicken and rub into the skin so that it sticks. Place the whole chicken breast-side down in the basket of your air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 350 degrees and cook the chicken for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes is up, pull out the basket and flip the chicken breast side up. Place back in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
- Allow chicken to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 240mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen or tag #BelleoftheKitchen
Helen Little says
This seems like such a good way to cook a whole chicken! I need to get an air fryer too!
Jen @ JENRON DESIGNS says
I love my air fryer so much this will be a great recipe to try next ! Thanks for all the great tips!
Amber says
Love this recipe! SO simple and so delicious.
Mimi says
I haven’t thought of putting a whole chicken in my air fryer, I don’t think it’ll fit in mine but it looks delicious so I need to try
Amber Myers says
Yum, we will be making this for sure! We love having chicken for dinner.
Lyle G. says
I’m rather new at Air Fryer Cooking, so I tried the chicken recipe featured. While it turned out good, it remained a little pink in some areas. will the altitude have anything to do with it. Am a mile high (Denver, CO).
Devin says
This chicken was amazing! I didnt have that seasoning that i gave a generous amount of Louisiana cajun seasoning and it took longer than the time said but still turned out perfect! 30 minutes on one side and 30 minutes on the other. I am stopping by trader joes tonight to try and find that seasoning coffee and garlic.
Terry Drauden says
We want to cook a whole chicken
Alex O Lewis says
I made a few adjustments to this recipe, and it came out wonderfully. This was hands down the best-roasted chicken we have done. I substituted olive oil for the margarine rub, stuffed the bird with one half an onion, and two teaspoons of minced garlic. For my rub, I used Tony Charcharie’s, paprika, garlic powder, and fresh ground black pepper, I set my air fryer on the air-fryer setting and cooked each side at 320 degrees for 30 minutes.
Karen Ann says
Quick question…I have a Ninja Air Fryer, and it has a “Roast”, “Dehydrate” and “Air Fryer” setting. I did everything you mentioned in the recipe to prepare the chicken, and now hope I did this right. I set the “Roast” app for 350 degrees, and 30 minutes. Should I have done the “Air Fryer” app? (or doesn’t it matter)
Ashlyn Edwards says
Hi Karen, I’m not familiar with the Ninja Air Fryer, but I would choose the Air Fryer setting because that is how I made this in my Air Fryer.
Alex O. Lewis III says
I made a few adjustments to this recipe, and it came out wonderfully. This was hands down the best-roasted chicken we have done. I substituted olive oil for the margarine rub, stuffed the bird with one half an onion, and two teaspoons of minced garlic. For my rub, I used Tony Charcharie’s, paprika, garlic powder, and fresh ground black pepper, I set my air fryer on the air-fryer setting and cooked each side at 320 degrees for 30 minutes.
Susan Hightower says
Delicious! Moist! Perfect! It took closer to 1hr 10 but worth it!!! Company worthy!!!
Julia Mendez says
Susan, Glad to know it came out juicy. I just got mine for my birthday. I have the Power LX vortex , the 7 QT.
Going to try it this weekend.