Marinated whole chicken roasted in the air fryer is super simple and makes the juiciest, most delicious chicken you’ll ever have. It’s great night one with mashed potatoes and veggies – but the leftovers are even better! They’re perfect for sandwiches, casseroles and more!
What You Will ❤️ About Air Fryer Chicken
- Flavor Punch! Marinating this chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce adds an extra zing to your chicken!
- Easy! Once you marinate the chicken, coat in seasoning and put in the air fryer. Nothing more to it!
- Versatile! This comes out tasting just like the rotisserie-style chicken from the grocery store and you can use the meat from the chicken in a wide variety of ways!
Marinated Chicken Ingredients
If you like Rotisserie Chicken – you will absolutely love this air fryer chicken! Here’s what you’ll need to make the best air fryer whole chicken!
- Whole chicken – Most chickens are around 5-6 lbs – you’ll need to be sure the chicken will fit into your air fryer.
- Marinade
- 2 quarts buttermilk – buttermilk is slightly acidic and it helps soak in and tenderize the chicken so it’s good for a marinade
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce – don’t be afraid to go heavy on the hot sauce in the marinade – it’s not going to make your chicken too spicy – I promise!
- 2 tbsp minced garlic – feel free to use the jarred kind or fresh – when using the jarred kind – I go a little heavier on measurements
- 1 tbsp salt – coarse sea salt is my preference
- Seasoning Mix
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (or use a combo of oregano and basil)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- OPTIONAL: Lemon & Onion – I like to slice a lemon in half and an onion into four pieces and then stuff it inside the chicken. This adds more aroma and flavor to the dish.
How do you air fry a whole chicken?
Marinating the chicken is optional but I think it helps tenderize the chicken. Cooking at a higher temperature will ensure the top of the chicken has that crispy skin we love.
- MARINATE THE CHICKEN:
- Rinse chicken and remove any gizzards/neck inside the bird.
- Place chicken in a large bowl and add in buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic and salt.
- Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours up to overnight. Flip bird half way through marinating.
- After marinating, remove chicken from buttermilk, shake off excess and set on a cutting board.
- SEASON THE CHICKEN:
- In a small bowl, mix together onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and paprika
- Coat 1/2 seasoning mix on breast side of chicken
- Place chicken in air fryer basket – chicken breast side down – and coat other side with remaining spice mix
- COOK THE CHICKEN:
- Air fry at 375º for 30 minutes
- Flip with tongs (it’s not easy if it’s a big bird) and check internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer. Poke thermometer into thick part of chicken breast. Depending on current temp will let you know how much time to add to the chicken.
- If chicken is in between 100-125º – add 30 minutes
- If between 125-140º – add 20 minutes
- If between 140-160º – add 10 minutes
- When temp is approx 160º, remove chicken from air fryer and set on platter. Let rest for a few minutes while you get the rest of dinner on the table and the temp will rise to 165º
- SERVE!
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How to Serve Whole Chicken from Air Fryer
You can make this roasted chicken to serve or dinner or make it solely to shred and use in meal prepping. Here are some ideas:
- Sliced Chicken – carve the chicken like you would a turkey on Thanksgiving and serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
- Shredded – remove skin and shred chicken – place in a ziploc bag and use for a variety of recipes:
- Pasta – skip making chicken and toss it into this Skinnilicious Chicken & Pasta
- Salad – Panera has so many salads and you can top them with shredded chicken from this recipe
- Chicken Salad – Chicken Salad is delicious and this whole chicken recipe is a great use for any chicken leftovers
- Casserole – Chicken Casserole is so delicious and easy and uses shredded chicken!
- Sliders – These Philly Chicken Sliders are a great use for this chicken!
- Chili – White Chicken Chili is a great soup to make and this chicken can drop right in!
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What time and temp for whole chicken in an air fryer?
This was a very large chicken – probably 6 pounds – it took about an hour to roast at 375º. But if you had a smaller chicken – I would start at 30-40 minutes and temp check and go from there. An instant read meat thermometer is a must-have for any home cook – chicken should temp at 160-165.
Can you make gravy with air fryer chicken?
Yes! The juices from the chicken will run below the grates and collect. Chicken stock is ready to go! Pour the juice into a saucepan and add a little flour – whisk until gravy forms.
How do you store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container (I like these glass ones) in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also use freezer bags and freeze up to three months. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
What to serve with a Whole Chicken
More Air Fryer Recipes with Chicken
Best Air Fryer Accessories
Here’s my ultimate list of best air fryer accessories – whether you have a basket- or oven-style! I’ve also included a price guide as well as my favorite recipes for those accessories.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 quarts buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
MARINATE THE CHICKEN:
- Rinse chicken and remove any gizzards/neck inside the bird.1 whole chicken
- Place chicken in a large bowl and add in buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic and salt.2 quarts buttermilk, 2 Tbsp hot sauce, 2 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp salt
- Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours up to overnight. Flip bird half way through marinating.
- After marinating, remove chicken from buttermilk, shake off excess and set on a cutting board.
SEASON THE CHICKEN:
- In a small bowl, mix together onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning paprika and pepper1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Coat 1/2 seasoning mix on breast side of chicken
- Place chicken in air fryer basket – chicken breast side down – and coat other side with remaining spice mix
COOK THE CHICKEN:
- Air fry at 375 for 30 minutes
- Flip with tongs (it's not easy if it's a big bird) and check internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer. Poke thermometer into thick part of chicken breast. Depending on current temp will let you know how much time to add to the chicken.
- If chicken is in between 100-125 – add 30 minutes, if between 125-140 – add 20 minutes, if between 140-160 – add 10 minutes.
- When temp is approx 160º, remove chicken from air fryer and set on platter. Let rest for a few minutes while you get the rest of dinner on the table and the temp will rise to 165º
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