Air Fryer Roast Chicken (Whole)

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This air fryer roast chicken is so simple and delicious, with the most incredible crispy skin. You’ll love how juicy and tender it is and how it comes out perfect, every time!

a whole, roasted chicken resting in an air fryer basket.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredients you will need
How to cook air fryer roast chicken
Cooking Times
How to tell when chicken is cooked through;
Expert tips
Air fryer roast chicken FAQs
Other Related Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Why you’ll love this recipe

Quick and easy – only a few minutes of hands-on time to season the chicken. The air fryer does the rest!
Faster cooking time – cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is faster and cleaner than roasting it in an oven. Perfect for a speedy, mid-week roast!
Juicy and tender meat – the circulating heat of the air fryer locks in the moisture, giving you the most tender, juicy and succulent chicken. It also helps to create an incredibly crispy, golden skin.
Perfect results every time – follow these simple step-by-step instructions and comprehensive timing guide (per kilogram) for perfect results, whatever size chicken you use.
Versatile – air fryer roast chicken is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. And it’s also great for meal-prep. A whole chicken can be cooked and stored for use in healthy chicken tacos, chicken and corn soup, creamy chicken pies or for easy lunches throughout the week.

It’s also the perfect main to go with any side dish. Try serving it with my Australian potato salad, roast pumpkin and goats cheese salad or these crispy duck fat potatoes for the perfect weeknight dinner recipe.

Ingredients you will need

** This post contains tips and instructions to achieve the best possible results. This photo is a great guide for when you are in the supermarket, but for full ingredient quantities and methods, please scroll down to the detailed recipe card below!

all ingredients for air fryer roast chicken, laid out on a table.

Whole chicken – any sized chicken can be used; just ensure sure it fits the size of your air fryer basket without crowding. Cooking times will vary, depending on the size of the chicken used. Buy a whole chicken from your supermarket or butcher and make sure the cavity is empty before starting. If using a frozen chicken, choose one that has undamaged skin and check that there is no build-up of ice in the packaging. Thaw completely before use.
Salt and pepper – it’s important to season the chicken skin with enough salt and pepper to ensure the meat doesn’t taste bland.
Lemon – a whole, fresh lemon is placed inside the chicken cavity before roasting. The lemon adds more flavour and moisture to the chicken as it roasts.
Seasoning – this recipe uses a simple seasoning of salt, pepper and sweet Hungarian paprika. However, you can use any chicken seasoning, spice rub or spice blend that you like. Garlic powder, rosemary, ground sage, oregano and Cajun seasoning are all great options.
Herbs – fresh rosemary and/or thyme is added to the cavity with the lemon, for flavour. You can use any of your favourite fresh or dried herbs.
Olive oil – a little oil is used to coat the skin, to make it extra crispy and flavourful. Olive oil can be swapped for vegetable or avocado oil, if preferred.

Note: I have an air fryer with an 8-litre capacity and for my family, I use a large whole chicken that weighs around 2.8kg (6.2lb) to get about 6-8 serves. This size is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or for utilising the leftovers in another dish. Use the correct sized chicken to fit your air fryer and adjust the cooking times using my cooking guide below.

How to cook air fryer roast chicken

Full ingredient notes and quantities can be found in the detailed recipe card below. But here is a brief overview of what you can expect;

hands mixing chicken seasoning in a bowl.

Step 1: In a bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper together.

a whole chicken coated with seasoning mixture.

Step 2: Brush the seasoning all over the chicken, including underneath.

a whole lemon being inserted inside the cavity of a chicken.

Step 3: Insert the lemon and fresh herbs into the empty cavity of the chicken. At this stage, you can truss (tie) the legs together with kitchen string.

a whole chicken, lying breast-side down in an air fryer basket.

Step 4: Place the chicken breast-side down and roast according to the times in the recipe card below.

a finished roast chicken, in an air fryer basket.

Step 5: Flip. Carefully turn the chicken so that it is breast-side up and continue roasting until the internal temperature is 75°C/165F.

a whole roast chicken in an air fryer basket. It is topped with a slice of lemon and herbs.

Step 6: Rest the chicken. Place the chicken onto a board or serving platter to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Tip: use a thermometer to test the roasted chicken at the thickest part. When cooked, the internal temperature should be 75°C/165F (white meat) and 77-79°C (dark meat). If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the meat is falling off the bones without any resistance and the juices run clear.

Cooking Times

Air fryer cooking times can differ between models, sizes and wattage. And cooking times will also vary depending on the size of chicken you want to cook.

It will take time to work out the exact cooking time specific to the size of the chicken and the air fryer model you are using to roast it. Once you’ve made this recipe, take note of the cooking times and use them as a guide for next time.

Air fryers cook faster than ovens. For air fryer roast chicken, allow 12-15 minutes per 500 grams of chicken, until cooked through.

How to tell when chicken is cooked through;

Chicken must be completely cooked through before serving, as raw meat can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

The two most common ways to determine if a chicken is properly cooked is to use a meat thermometer or pierce it with a skewer.

The safest and most accurate way to gauge the internal temperature is with a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or thigh (not touching bone or fat). The internal temperature of the white meat should be 75°C (165F) and dark meat should reach 77-79°C (170-175 F).
The other way is to pierce the thickest part of the meat with a skewer and check that the juices run clear. Breast meat should be white all the way through, with no hint of opaque pinkness. Dark meat will be darker, with no blood or pink in the juices. When cooked, the meat should fall off the bone easily, with no resistance. If it holds onto the bone or appears pink, it needs more time in the air fryer.

Expert tips

Pat dry – before roasting, pat the chicken skin dry with paper towel. This drier the skin is, the crispier it will be.
Choose the right size chicken for your air fryer. Your chicken should fit into the air fryer basket, without overcrowding or touching the sides. Leaving some space around the chicken allows for proper air circulation and ensures that the meat will cook evenly. All air fryers are different and you should ensure that yours can accommodate the size of the chicken you choose. My air fryer has an 8-litre capacity and can comfortably cook a 2.8kg (6.2lb) chicken.
The cooking times in the recipe card below suit a 2kg chicken, but you can adjust accordingly to suit a larger or smaller chicken. Just make sure it fits into the air fryer basket.
Start breast-side down. Cooking the chicken breast-side down first ensures the meat will cook evenly and become nice and tender.
Rest the chicken. It is important to rest the chicken for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the fryer. As the chicken rests, it relaxes and the juices settle into the meat. If you cut the chicken too soon after cooking, the juices will run straight out of the meat. This will make it dry out and lose flavour!
Storage; store leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge. It can be sliced or shredded before storing, to easily reuse the leftovers. Cooked chicken lasts in the fridge for up to 4 days when properly stored.
Don’t throw away the roast chicken carcass. You can use it to make homemade chicken stock or add it to soups like this chicken and corn soup, for extra flavour.

Air fryer roast chicken FAQs

How long does an air fryer take to roast chicken?

A good rule of thumb is to cook at 180°C (356 F) for 12-15 minutes per 500 grams of chicken. However, be sure to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer.

Can whole chickens be cooked in an air fryer?

Yes! You can cook a whole chicken in your air fryer with less time (and mess!) than using a traditional roasting method. Not only does cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer save time, it’s also perfect for lunches and leftovers throughout the week.

Can I reheat roast chicken?

To reheat, place individual chicken pieces in the air fryer at 160C/325F and cook for 5 minutes, or until completely heated through.

Can I freeze roast chicken?

Leftover meat can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Thaw and reheat completely before serving.

What can I serve with air fryer roast chicken?

While it tastes amazing with traditional roasted vegetables and gravy, it can also be served with air fryer chips or your favourite salads like pumpkin and goats cheese salad, potato salad and vermicelli noodle salad. The leftover meat can also be repurposed and used in a number of dishes, like tacos, sandwiches or soup.

a plate with roasted vegetables and chicken, topped with gravy.

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