I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (2024)

If you love roastchicken in the oven, you're going to really love this method for air frying a whole chicken. Air fryer roast chicken takes less time, leaves less of a mess and turns out nearly identical results -- or better, even. We're talking a 4-pound chicken cooked perfectly with impossibly crispy skin in under 45 minutes. That's 15% to 20% faster than the wall oven and with almost no cleanup afeter.

I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (1)

All you need is anair fryerto get it done. It's true: you can cook a whole chicken right in your air fryer. Not only does it save time, but you'll find that it likely saves you money too -- you'll be munching on leftovers all week long using that perfectly cooked chicken.

I'm well versed in the joys of air fryer cooking, but air fryer chicken is perhaps the best discovery I've made while tinkering with the speedy convection cookers.

Here's why air fryer chicken is the best chicken.

Can you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer? Oh, yeah

The secret to great roasted chicken is high heat while not overcooking the bird for a crispy skin with moist, tender meat. An air fryer is the perfect vessel for this method since it envelops the food inside with hot quickly moving air and manages to crisp outer layers better than a full-size convection oven that features more widely dispersed heat. The smaller air fryer cooking chamber also means more consistent temps throughout a single session.

Best Air Fryer for 2024 See at Cnet

Air fryers are typically smaller than wall ovens, but many models are capable of handling a 3- or 4-pound chicken. I cooked a full 4-pound roaster and it fit comfortably inside my Dreo6-quart ChefMaker smart air fryer oven.

Read more:Grill, Bye. Make Your Next Burger in an Air Fryer and Thank Me Later

What size air fryer fits a whole chicken?

I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (3)

This fancy souped-up air fryer has a steam feature and smart cooking programs, but I didn't need or use them. I cooked the chicken on basic air fryer mode at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 55 minutes, flipping the bird (ha!) after 25. You won't need a fancy air fryer, either. This $120 Instant air fryer (on sale for $90) will get the job done. As will this $60 Gourmia model.

Best Places to Buy Chicken Online See at Cnet

There was minimal prep in this air fryer chicken recipe, which I adapted from a few found online and my go-to oven-roasted chicken recipe. I whisked together a quick marinade with olive oil, grain mustard, salt, pepper and some of my favorite Mediterranean seasoning blend. I stuffed the chicken with half of an orange, some green onion and a bunch of fresh parsley that was down to its final days in the fridge.

I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (5)

What to serve with roasted chicken

I served the chicken with rice made in my speedy and effortlessrice cooker, but I could have just as easily dropped some root vegetables in with the chicken and had myself with a full dinner to feed four or five -- all cooked in the confines of one nonstick air fryer basket.

An air fryer can burn your chicken so pay attention

My only other note when making an air fryer bird is to keep a close eye on the chicken, especially toward the end. The heat from an air fryer is intense and could burn the skin if you have it cranked up too high or leave it in too long. If your skin seems to be getting brown faster than the chicken is coming to temp inside, pull back on the heat and continue monitoring.

You can always fire it up again once the meat is cooked to get a crispy skin before serving. You'll know the meat is cooked when a meat probe reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit when plunged into the thickest part of the breast.

I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (6)

What you need to make air fryer chicken

  • 4-pound chicken, giblets removed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons grain mustard
  • Seasoning blend (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lemon or orange
  • Fresh herbs
I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (7)

How to make air fryer roast chicken

  1. Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Whisk olive oil, mustard, seasoning blend, salt and pepper together
  3. Rub mustard marinade over the entire chicken
  4. Place chicken in air fryer basket breast down on top of the wire rack and cook for 25 minutes
  5. Flip the bird breast up and cook for the remaining 25 minutes
  6. Remove when juices run clear or an internal thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit
  7. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving and pour juices from the air fryer basket over sliced chicken
I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (8)
I Made a Whole Roast Chicken in the Air Fryer. I'll Never Do It Any Other Way Again (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to air fry or bake whole chicken? ›

Air fryer roast chicken takes less time, leaves less of a mess and turns out nearly identical results -- or better, even. We're talking a 4-pound chicken cooked perfectly with impossibly crispy skin in under 45 minutes. That's 15% to 20% faster than the wall oven and with almost no cleanup afeter.

What is the difference between a whole frying chicken and a whole roasting chicken? ›

Fryer — The USDA defines a fryer chicken as between 7 and 10 weeks old and weighing between 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 pounds when processed. A fryer chicken can be prepared in any manner. Roaster — A roaster chicken is defined by the USDA as an older chicken, about 3 to 5 months old and weighing between 5 and 7 pounds.

How to air fry already cooked rotisserie chicken? ›

How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken in the Air Fryer
  1. Turn your air fryer to 350°F.
  2. Remove rotisserie chicken from packaging and place it in the air fryer. Set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes until rotisserie chicken is crisp and heated through.
  3. Remove chicken from the air fryer and enjoy.
Jul 27, 2023

Is it better to roast or bake a whole chicken? ›

If you're cooking food that has a solid structure — like any type of meat or vegetables — no matter the temperature of the oven, you'll roast it. If you're cooking food that doesn't already have a solid structure, but will after it's cooked — like muffins, cake, bread, and casseroles — the proper method is baking.

Is it better to cook chicken in air fryer or pan? ›

First, there is a health benefit to air frying over deep frying or pan frying. While I do recommend very lightly spraying the fried chicken with oil before and during air frying, you don't submerge the pieces entirely in oil, and as a result, they undoubtedly absorb less oil in the process.

What is the difference between bake and roast in an air fryer? ›

A good rule of thumb? Use a temperature about 25 degrees F lower than what you may might be accustomed to with a conventional oven: Baking in the air fryer is typically about 325 instead of 350 degrees F, roasting will be about 400 instead of 425 degrees, and so on.

Should you flip a whole chicken when roasting? ›

Above all, however, a roast chicken needs to be juicy. There are many ways to achieve this, but one of the best is to flip over your poultry. While it is more common to turn over a duck during roasting to render the fat out of the breast meat, flipping a chicken does something a little different.

What is the difference between roast and roasted chicken? ›

  • Both are correct, but they have subtly different meanings.
  • Roasted chicken describes meat that has been cooked by roasting. Roast chicken is a dish made by roasting a chicken.
  • In practice, #2 is what you would normally use when ordering, on a menu, or describing what you intend to serve. #1 migh...
Jan 17, 2021

Does chicken need to be flipped in Airfryer? ›

Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes. Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.

How to reheat a whole chicken in air fryer without drying it out? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for a few minutes. ...
  2. Place the leftover Chicken in the basket in one single layer.
  3. Reheat it for 5-7 minutes or until they are perfectly cooked again.
  4. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure they are reheated from all the sides.
  5. Carefully remove them from the basket.
Jun 28, 2023

How to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer rotisserie in a tower? ›

Rotisserie-style chicken an air fryer

Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes at 355°F (180°C). Use tongs to flip the chicken over so it is breast side up and cook for a further 20 minutes or until it registers 167°F (75°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

Is it better to roast or air fry chicken? ›

The air fryer allows you to cut out excess oil while retaining ultra-crispy skin or delicious caramelization on chicken cuts. It's fast: Compared to an oven, chicken cooks quite efficiently in the air fryer.

Should you cover a whole chicken when cooking? ›

Crispy texture.

Uncovered baking allows the chicken to develop a crispy exterior. Without a cover, the heat can directly reach the surface of the chicken, resulting in a desirable golden-brown color and crispy texture.

Is it better to bake chicken covered or uncovered? ›

No, you don't need to cover chicken breasts with foil when roasting them. Covering with foil can keep them moist, but if you want a crispier skin, leave them uncovered. Just make sure to baste or marinate for moisture. Cook them at the right temperature, and don't overcook them to keep them juicy.

Is an oven or air fryer better for chicken? ›

The air fryer allows you to cut out excess oil while retaining ultra-crispy skin or delicious caramelization on chicken cuts. It's fast: Compared to an oven, chicken cooks quite efficiently in the air fryer. Typically, you'll shave off about 30 percent to 40 percent of the cooking time by using an air fryer.

Is it better to bake in the oven or air fryer? ›

Recommended by sources like Ben Mims in Air Fry Every Day and echoed by my fellow bakers, a general rule of thumb for air fryer (and convection oven) baking is to lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20 to 25 percent less time than the temperature and time a regular baking recipe calls for.

Is baking or frying chicken better? ›

By cooking chicken in the oven, you'll use little oil, which will minimize heart health risks. Aside from being healthier for your heart, this chicken is also high in protein (8 g per serving). And it's an excellent choice for fussy eaters or those without a lot of time to spare.

Is it healthier to air fry or oven bake? ›

Is air frying healthier than oven cooking? Both air frying and oven cooking primarily use hot air, so there's less difference between the two. Still, the scientists behind the fish cake study found that baking these cakes in the oven created fewer AGEs overall.

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