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Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Crispy golden air fryer whole chicken in an air fryer basket fresh from cooking

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Skip the oven and make this rotisserie-style whole roast chicken in the air fryer. With just 5 minutes of prep and simple everyday ingredients, you get incredibly crispy skin and juicy tender meat. A reliable weeknight dinner or holiday centerpiece with 51 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (5-pound) whole chicken, giblets removed
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 sprigs fresh oregano

Instructions

  1. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the avocado oil, poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush the seasoning mixture all over the chicken, coating all sides and working some underneath the skin directly onto the breast meat.
  3. Stuff the cavity with the fresh thyme and oregano sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
  4. Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 350 degrees F and cook for 1 hour.
  5. After 1 hour, carefully flip the chicken breast side up and cook for an additional 15 minutes until the skin is deep golden and crispy.
  6. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It must read 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the breast and thigh, not touching bone.
  7. Remove from the air fryer and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes on a cutting board before carving and serving.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before seasoning for the crispiest skin possible.
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 60 minutes before cooking for more even results.
  • Cooking breast side down for the first hour keeps the breast meat extra juicy.
  • Make sure the chicken does not contact the heating element while cooking or it will burn. Always check the fit before starting.
  • Always thaw frozen chicken fully before cooking. Never cook from frozen.
  • For extra juicy results, brine the chicken in salted water for up to 24 hours before cooking.
  • Olive oil can be substituted for avocado oil.

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