Name: Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

ThisAir Fryer Whole Chickenis moist, juicy, and has a perfectly golden crispy exterior. With just a few simple ingredients you can have a deliciously seasoned chicken that rivals Costco in no time!

whole crispy skinned and seasoned air fryer chicken in a black air fryer basket.

One of our favorite things about this air fryer chicken is how versatile it is. It’s so easy to make and can be used in just about any dish that uses chicken. Whether you need sliced chicken, shredded chicken, etc. this is a great place to start.

It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight meal, but also makes a beautiful, picturesque and satisfying homestyle Sunday or formal family dinner.

whole crispy skinned and seasoned air fryer chicken on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Requires very little prep time.
Can be incorporated into a variety of meals.
Only uses 5 ingredients.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make air fryer whole chicken.

Whole Chicken—Make sure the chicken is not too big for your air fryer.
Olive Oil—Coating the entire surface of the chicken in oil will help the spices adhere better. You can also substitute avocado oil or coconut oil.
Black Pepper—To help balance the flavors of the other spices.
Garlic Powder—You can also use freshly minced garlic, but powder will adhere a bit better to the outside of the chicken.
Italian Seasoning—If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just mix equal parts basil, oregano, garlic salt, and thyme.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Prepare Your Air Fryer Whole Chicken

raw whole seasoned air fryer chicken in a black air fryer basket.

Step #1.Preheat your air fryer at 350°F. Coat the entire surface of the chicken in oil then sprinkle on the spices

Step #2.Cook in the air fryer basket until it is fully cooked in the middle. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to flip my chicken while it cooks in the air fryer?

While it is often necessary to flip your chicken when cooking it in the oven, it is not necessary when using an air fryer. Because the air is constantly circulating around the entire chicken, you can leave it along the entire time it cooks. With that being said, you are more than welcome to flip your chicken halfway through if that is what you are used to. Doing so will not have much of an effect on the final product.

Should I use fresh or frozen chicken?

We prefer to use fresh chicken since it cooks quicker, but frozen chicken will work as well. If you start with a frozen chicken, take the chicken out of the air fryer after 10 minutes to pull out the giblet bag (if there is one), then plan on rotating the chicken 2-3 times during the hour or so of cooking to make sure it’s cooking evenly. It may need up to 10-15 minutes longer to cook than the original recipe, but just keep an eye to make sure the skin is crispy to your liking and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

What other spices can I use to season my chicken?

When it comes to adding spices, you can’t go wrong! We love switching up the spices we use to give this chicken a new, unique flavor. Try using red pepper flakes, onion powder, sea salt, paprika (smoked or regular), rosemary, or thyme.

How to Serve Your Air Fryer Whole Chicken

There are so many delicious ways to use a whole air fryer chicken. Some of our favorite ways to use our chicken include:

Serving it with old fashionedcreamy mashed potatoesand steamed veggies.
Put slices of chicken on a soft roll or toastedsourdough bunsand add swiss cheese and avocado slices for a gourmet chicken sandwich.
Shred your chicken and add barbecue sauce to make bbq chicken sliders. Serve with coleslaw and corn on the cob for an amazing summer picnic meal!
Pair your chicken witheasy air fryer sweet potatoesand broccoli.

How to Store Your Leftover Chicken

You can shred or cut up your chicken and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure your chicken is stored airtight to keep it fresh as long as possible. This chicken can be reheated in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds, or until warm. You’ll want to stop the microwave halfway through and stir the meat so that it reheats evenly.

Expert Tips

Ideally you want your chicken to be about 3 pounds, but a little bigger will work too. Just make sure you canfit the chicken in your air fryer.
If your chicken comes with a bag of giblets, you’ll want to take it outbefore starting the air fryer unless you are working with a frozen chicken.
Air frying your chicken gives you acrispy exterior, a juicy interior, and helps prevent your chicken from drying out.
Feel free touse freshly minced garlicif that is what you have available.
Most air fryers can fit a chicken that is about 3 pounds.