Air Fryer Whole Chicken: Recipe and Tips from the Complete Air Fryer Cookbook

Welcome to another reading in our series where we test recipes from the Complete Air Fryer Cookbook. Today, we're making one of our absolute favorites: air fryer whole chicken. This versatile and delicious dish has been a staple in our kitchen for over five years, ever since we upgraded to a larger air fryer specifically to accommodate whole chickens.

Why We Love Air Frying Whole Chicken

Air frying a whole chicken is incredibly simple and requires minimal ingredients—just some olive oil and your favorite seasonings. In our recipe, we use salt, pepper, and mixed herbs, but you can customize it with any spices you prefer. This recipe is featured in the Complete Air Fryer Cookbook, available now.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In creating our cookbook, we wanted to celebrate the whole chicken with detailed, step-by-step photos to guide you through the process. We also compare cooking times and temperatures across different air fryers, making it easy to adapt the recipe to your specific model.

Here's how to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Choose a large chicken. If you have a dual air fryer with one smaller basket, opt for a medium-sized chicken. We recommend buying chickens on sale and freezing them until needed.

2. Season the Chicken: Start with the chicken breast side down. Spray it generously with olive oil and season with your preferred spices. We recommend about 1.5 teaspoons of dried seasoning—options include peri-peri, Cajun, mixed herbs, or tarragon.

3. Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken in the air fryer, breast side down. Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 25 minutes for a large chicken (20 minutes for a medium chicken).

4. Flip the Chicken: After the initial cooking time, flip the chicken breast side up. Use a fork to help turn it over, then season the other side without reapplying oil. Continue cooking for another 25 minutes.

5. Check for Doneness: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). The skin should be golden and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken

• Avoid Dry Chicken: Always start with the chicken breast side down to keep it moist.
• Seasoning: Experiment with different spices to find your favorite flavor combination.
• No Need to Tie: The compact design of the Ninja Dual Zone air fryer means you don't need to tie the chicken's legs.

Why the Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer Stands Out

The Ninja Dual Zone air fryer has a slightly higher capacity than some other models, which helps prevent the chicken from burning on top. Its compact design also means you don’t have to tie up the legs, making the cooking process even simpler.

Explore More Recipes

Don't forget to check out the Complete Air Fryer Cookbook, featuring 140 beginner-friendly recipes with step-by-step instructions. With over 10 years of air frying experience, our cookbook is designed to help you master your air fryer.