Air-Fryer Whole Chicken Tips
What size air fryer should you use to cook a whole chicken?
We like to use air fryers with a 5-quart capacity or larger. This recipe calls for a 3- or 4-pound chicken, which should fit nicely. If your chicken is too big, you can cut the chicken into pieces and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Here are the
cook times for all your air-fried favorites.
How do you prep a whole chicken for the air fryer?
Prepping a chicken for the air fryer is similar to preparing a chicken for the oven. You want the least amount of moisture possible, so be sure to pat your chicken dry before seasoning. The drier the skin, then the crispier and more delicious it will be. Tie the legs to keep the chicken compact in the basket, and make sure to remove any giblets or neck pieces. What are some spices you can put on a chicken in the air-fryer?
A whole chicken requires a lot of seasonings to permeate the meat. Use kosher salt instead of table salt, which has a coarser grain so you can cover more surface area of the chicken without making it overly salty. Use about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of meat. And don't forget to season in advance: Salt pulls moisture from the surface, drying out the skin and helping it crisp up to perfection. Let the chicken rest for at least 30 minutes, or for as long as 12 hours if you have the time.
What should you serve with air-fryer whole chicken?
This air-fryer whole chicken is juicy, tender and perfect with
roasted vegetables or a crisp <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/side-salad-recipes/
">side salad. It’s a dinner worthy of a special occasion, but it also works as a weeknight meal.
—Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Associate Recipe Editor/Tester
In our testing, we find cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we give wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.
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