Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Looking for a delicious new way to make rotisserie-style chicken that's fast and super easy, look no further! Air Fryer Roast Chicken is simply the best!

The air fryer is fast becoming my favorite appliance in the kitchen! If you don't own one yet, let me encourage you to add one to your cooking space as soon as you possibly can.

While you may think you won't use it enough to justify the counter space it takes up, once you realize just how fast and versatile an air fryer is, the real estate it takes up is certainly worthwhile!

**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Air Fryer Whole Chicken is available near the end of this post. OR click on the "jump to recipe" text (found below) to be taken directly to the printable recipe.

Jump to Recipe

The simple ingredient list;

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

• Whole Chicken (one that will fit inside your air fryer)
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Minced Garlic

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• air fryer
• garlic press
• carving fork and knife
• knife sharpener
• paper towels

What is the type of air fryer shown in this post?

The air fryer I own is by a brand called Bella and it has a 5.3-quart capacity. When I make a roasted chicken in my traditional oven, I tend to purchase big six or seven pound chickens.

Knowing that I'd need to use a smaller chicken to fit inside my air fryer, I purchased a four pounder.

What is the proper internal temperature for cooking chicken?

• Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 - 165 degrees, Farenheight.
• When checking the temperature of whole chicken using a meat thermometer, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh, making sure the thermometer does not hit the bone as the thermometer will then show an inaccurate internal temperature.

What if I don't have a meat thermometer? How can I judge if a whole chicken is fully cooked?

• If the juices run clear after piercing the chicken with a sharp knife into the thickest part of the breast, and then again into the thickest part of the thigh, your chicken is cooked through.
• If the juices that run from the bird have a pinkish tint, the chicken is NOT fully cooked and it needs to be returned to the oven to continue cooking until the juices run completely clear.
• Another good way to determine if a whole chicken is cooked through is if the legs wiggle easily when moved and they have no resistance to pressure.
• You'll also notice upon inspecting the drumsticks that once the chicken is cooked thoroughly the meat will have shrunk away from the ends of the bones.

What is the proper air fryer temperature and time for cooking a whole chicken?

• I cooked this (4-pound chicken) at 375-degrees for 20 minutes and then reduced the heat to 325-degrees and cooked it for an additional 20-25 minutes.
• It was 45 minutes of total cooking time, and then 7-10 minutes of resting time before slicing.

How to cook a roast chicken in an air fryer:

• Dry the chicken thoroughly with paper towels, inside and out.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer and drizzle with olive oil.
• Rub the oil all over the entire surface of the chicken.

• Rub minced garlic over the surface of the chicken.
• Season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Set the air fryer to 375-degrees and cook for 20 minutes.
• Open the fryer to check on the chicken.
• Reduce the heat to 325-degrees and continue cooking the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees, Farenheight. **Note - larger chickens will take longer to cook through.

Want recipes using air fryer roast chicken?

• Creamy Chicken Salad with Apricots and Macadamia Nuts (pictured below)

Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between some delicious bread as a sandwich filling.

• French Spaghetti (pictured below)

French Spaghetti has a rich, slow-cooked flavor but only takes minutes to prepare thanks to store-bought (or air fryer) rotisserie chicken.

• Creamy Mascarpone Chicken Risotto (pictured below)

Why go out when you can make this restaurant-quality Creamy Mascarpone Chicken Risotto at home? It’s impressive, delicious, and not at all difficult to make.

• Rotisserie Chicken Skillet from A Family Feast

• Rotisserie Chicken Recipes from Cooking Light

Below is the printable recipe card along with the nutritional information for making for today’s roast chicken in an air fryer recipe. 

Printable Recipe Card

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for roast chicken in an air fryer as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!