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Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken (Rotisserie Style)

A whole roasted chicken with crispy, dark seasoned skin resting on a white plate, made using an air fryer whole chicken recipe.
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Cook a whole chicken in your air fryer for a simple, weeknight main course. This recipe delivers incredibly crispy skin and moist, tender meat every time, mimicking a rotisserie roast without the long oven time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Remove the giblets from the chicken cavity. Pat the entire chicken dry, inside and out, using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, thyme, and onion powder to create your seasoning rub.
  3. Rub the olive oil all over the exterior of the chicken. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken, making sure to cover the entire surface.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken directly into the air fryer basket, breast-side up. If your air fryer is small, you may need to truss the legs together.
  5. Set your air fryer temperature to 360°F (180°C). Cook for 40 minutes.
  6. After 40 minutes, carefully pull out the basket and flip the chicken over using tongs.
  7. Increase the temperature to 380°F (195°C). Continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board, tented loosely with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier inside.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, stuff the cavity with half a lemon and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary before cooking.
  • If your chicken is larger than 4 lbs, you may need to increase the total cooking time by 5-10 minutes, checking the temperature frequently.
  • If the skin browns too quickly before the chicken is cooked through, lower the temperature slightly for the final 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/air-fryer-whole-chicken-recipe/