Easy Air Fryer Rotisserie Roasted Whole Chicken is the best, keto low-carb recipe to teach you how to cook and air fry chicken in your Power Air Fryer XL, Nuwave, or any brand. You will only need a handful of ingredients to make this juicy chicken with extra crispy skin!
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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Can you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer? Heck yes! Seriously, what can't you do in the air fryer? From Air Fryer Ribs Air Fryer Turkey, Air Fryer Ham, to Air Fryer Grilled Chicken, I seriously feel like you can do it all!
Cooking chicken has gotten so much easier since I've gotten my air fryer. Baked chicken just doesn't cut it in many instances.
For Easter dinner I served this roasted whole chicken. It was perfect for the occasion! Best of all, there are no carbs in a whole chicken, so this is a very keto-friendly main dish.
Table of Contents
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer
- I buy my whole chickens at Costco because the chickens are sold with the inside contents and giblets removed from the inside of the chicken cavity. If your contents have not been removed, you will have to remove the giblets prior to cooking. You can read more about How to Remove Giblets From a Whole Chicken here.
- Trim excess fat from around the chicken, typically the neck and tail area.
- Pat the chicken dry completely.
- Drizzle with olive oil and seasonings.
- Air Fry and remove the chicken from the air fryer to rest prior to slicing.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
A whole chicken will need 50-60 minutes to cook, but you should always cook the chicken for however long it takes to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You will need to use a meat thermometer.
To test the internal temperature of the rotisserie chicken, place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. This is typically the chicken thigh. You can read more about Thermometer Placement for Chicken here.
How Long To Rest Prior to Slicing
You will need to let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes prior to slicing. While the chicken rests, moisture is redistributed. back into the meat. If you slice into it immediately, the juice will run out and you will end up with dry chicken. You can read more about the Science of Resting Meat here.
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Can You Reheat a Rotisserie Chicken
Yes, I do this all of the time with the $5 cooked rotisserie chickens I buy from Costco. I usually coat the meat in oil first so that it isn't dry.
Can You Air Fry Frozen Chicken?
If you are going to cook a whole chicken from frozen, I recommend you roast it. Get tips on How to Cook a Whole Chicken from Frozen here.
Is the Air Fryer Really Healthy?
Air frying cuts up to 80% of the fat of traditional frying, making it a much healthier alternative. Most deep-fried recipes require 2 to 3 cups of oil. With the air fryer, you need only a tablespoon. Because air-fried meals are so much lighter, you will feel less bogged down after eating them.
Recipe Tips:
- Wear cooking gloves while handling the chicken if preferred.
- Be sure to wash your hands and kitchen utensils really well after handling raw chicken.
- Try to season every inch of the chicken to avoid bland chicken. Use more seasoning than the recipe suggests if needed.
- Removing the chicken without altering the presentation can be tricky. The chicken will need to rest after cooking. If you are having trouble removing the chicken with tongs (without altering the presentation), you can always allow the chicken to cool some and then remove it with your hands.
- Use any of your favorite seasonings. Common seasonings include poultry seasoning, sage, paprika, and more.
What to Serve with Whole Chicken:
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus
Air Fryer Garlic Cheesy Bread
Air Fryer Homemade French Fries
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
More Main Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Ham
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Smothered Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Air Fryer Scallops
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Be sure to check out my post on 20 Quick and Easy Air Fryer Thanksgiving Holiday Recipes.
Easy Air Fryer Rotisserie Roasted Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 4.5-5 pound whole chicken
- ½ fresh lemon
- ¼ whole onion
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme I like to use ground thyme in addition to fresh thyme for optimal flavor.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt to taste Be sure to use Kosher salt. The thick crystals from the salt will help to produce crispy skin on the chicken.
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- I purchased my whole chicken ready with the contents of the cavity removed. If your chicken still has the giblets inside of it, you will need to remove them prior to cooking.
- Stuff ½ of fresh cut lemon and ¼ of a chopped onion inside the cavity of the chicken along with the fresh rosemary and thyme.
- Make sure the chicken is completely dry on the outside. Pat dry with paper towels if necessary. A dry chicken will help it crisp in the air fryer with the olive oil.
- Spray olive oil onto both sides of the chicken using an oil sprayer.
- Sprinkle the seasonings throughout and onto both sides of the chicken. You may elect to only season the bottom side of the chicken at this step. Because you will need to flip the chicken during the air frying process, you will likely lose some of the seasonings at this stage. My preference is to season both sides initially, and then re-assess if more seasoning (usually salt is needed later).
- Line the air fryer with parchment paper. This makes for easy cleanup. Load the chicken into the air fryer basket with the breast side down.
- Air fry the chicken for 30 minutes on 330 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. I gripped the chicken cavity with tongs to flip.
- Re-assess if more seasoning is needed on the breasts, legs, and wings. Add additional if necessary.
- Air fry for an additional 20-25 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
- This step is important. Place the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken, which is typically the chicken thigh area. I like to test the breast too, just to ensure the entire chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and place it on a plate to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting into the chicken. This will allow the moisture to redistribute throughout the chicken before you cut into it.
Video
Notes
Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe Tips:
- Wear cooking gloves while handling the chicken if preferred.
- Be sure to wash your hands and kitchen utensils really well after handling raw chicken.
- Try to season every inch of the chicken to avoid bland chicken. Use more seasoning than the recipe suggests if needed.
- Removing the chicken without altering the presentation can be tricky. The chicken will need to rest after cooking. If you are having trouble removing the chicken with tongs (without altering the presentation), you can always allow the chicken to cool some and then remove it with your hands.
- Use any of your favorite seasonings. Common seasonings include poultry seasoning, sage, paprika, and more.
Pete (female) says
I have an air fryer but the wattage is only 1300 watts. How do you adjust to recipes because the recipes I see posted are usually 1700 watts. Is there a rule of thumb for time?
staysnatched says
I would consult the manual. I'm not sure.
UpNorthNanna says
My air fryer has a rotisserie part to allow the chicken to be cooked upright. If I want to reheat a whole precooked chicken, with it, can anyone tell me for how long and what temperature?
staysnatched says
I would reheat it on 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes. Each air fryer heats differently. You will have to test it.
Shannon says
First time I have ever cooked a whole chicken!! It was so easy and very tasty!!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
Trista says
Loved this recipe. It was a hit with the whole family. I wasn't sure if I could cook an entire chicken in the air fryer, but I knew if it could be done, Brandi would have the perfect recipe. Once again, she delivers! The recipe was easy to follow with helpful tips along the way. I'm so glad I searched this site and found this recipe. I will be making this again!
staysnatched says
I love your confidence in me. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Rachel Berman says
This chicken was amazing. Be sure to follow her instructions to a “t” and you’ll end up with flavorful, juicy chicken and a nice crispy skin. So easy and so delish. Will definitely be on repeat!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Krista says
Another winner! The skin was so crisp and delicious. The tips and tricks were right on and honestly, had she not said to flip it and re season I wouldn’t have. Glad I read it all - So good! Will make again for sure.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it! The skin is the best part!
Aja says
I made this today for homemade chicken soup and it was perfect. So good and there are juices left in the air fryer to use for the soup stock. I highly recommend.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed this.
Tiffani says
This was sooooo good and soooo easy. I'm mad I didn't make it sooner. I thought I was going to have some leftovr for chicken salad, but, I don't think I will. I'll be making this regularly as well!!
staysnatched says
This is a good one to have on rotation!
Janice says
This was super easy and delicious! Perfect for meal prep.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Barbara Kaufer says
just wondering I'm new ro the air fryer, I am in the prooceds of making a whole chicken,not on the rotissiere, shoud the setting be for chicken or rotissiere
staysnatched says
I don't use presets. I use the temperature and times noted in the recipes.
Gary Smith says
Hi My Name is Gary and l bought a Small Pork Joint and I Checked My Air Fryer Book, My Air Fryer is a Power Air Fryer XL and There isn't Anything About PORK Joints Can Anyone Help Please Gary
staysnatched says
I haven't heard of pork joints.
Kelly says
Made this last night! Great recipe for a juicy chicken with crispy skin. Ready for the leftovers today!
staysnatched says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Deb says
@Kelly,
Deb says
@staysnatched, I just got an air fryer, can you tell me how to make a rotisserie whole chicken please
Tawanna J says
Love This Recipe. I will be using it again. I was afraid to use my Power xl with racks and no basket but it turned out Very tasty and juicy.
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it was tasty!
dan says
AM GOING TO COOK IN oven AIR FRYER-any changes needed-THANKS
staysnatched says
I've never done it. Follow the instructions and cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Felicia says
I needed an easy dinner last night. This was perfect! The chicken was juicy and flavorful with crisp skin. The best part is I can use the leftover chicken in another meal this week. Thank you for this easy recipe!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Chandra says
This is the best tasting rotisserie chicken! My entire family loves it!
I do add a few more of my own spices. My husband and son told me to never make baked chicken again.
staysnatched says
haha! I love that!