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

A perfectly cooked, seasoned air fryer whole chicken with crispy, golden-brown skin resting on a white plate.
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Cook a whole chicken in your air fryer for incredibly crispy skin and moist, tender meat. This simple recipe delivers rotisserie-style results fast, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)

Instructions

  1. Remove the giblets from the chicken cavity. Pat the entire chicken dry, inside and out, using paper towels. Drying the skin is key for crispiness.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper to create your seasoning rub.
  3. Rub the olive oil all over the exterior of the chicken.
  4. Generously sprinkle the seasoning rub all over the chicken, making sure to cover the entire surface and gently rub it into the skin.
  5. Place the seasoned chicken breast-side up into the air fryer basket. If your air fryer is small, you may need to truss the legs loosely to help it fit better.
  6. Set your air fryer temperature to 380°F (195°C). Cook for 45 minutes.
  7. After 45 minutes, carefully pull out the basket and check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The temperature should read 165°F (74°C).
  8. If the chicken has not reached 165°F, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until done. For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the final 5 minutes of cooking.
  9. Once cooked, carefully remove the whole chicken from the air fryer. Let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving. This resting period keeps the meat juicy.

Notes

  • For the juiciest inside, make sure your chicken is between 3 and 4 pounds. Larger chickens require longer cook times.
  • If you want a deeper rotisserie flavor, you can stuff the cavity loosely with half a lemon and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary before seasoning.
  • If your air fryer basket is large enough, you can place a few small potatoes or carrots underneath the chicken to catch drippings and cook simultaneously.

Nutrition

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