Description
This Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe delivers a perfectly crispy and flavorful roasted chicken with minimal effort. Coated with a blend of lime juice, spices, and vegetable oil, the chicken is cooked in an air fryer for a juicy interior and deliciously crisp skin. Ideal for a quick, easy weeknight dinner that serves 4 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 (3½-lb) whole chicken
Marinade & Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Pat Dry and Prepare Seasoning: Pat the whole chicken dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure the skin crisps up nicely during cooking. In a small bowl, combine vegetable oil, lime juice, sugar (if using), cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Rub this mixture all over the chicken evenly to coat it well.
- Truss the Chicken: Tie the chicken legs together with cooking twine to help the bird cook evenly. Then tie the wings snugly against the breasts with another piece of twine to prevent wing tips from burning and to promote compact, uniform cooking.
- Place in Air Fryer: Position the chicken belly side down in the basket of your air fryer. This helps to protect the breast meat from drying out early in the cooking.
- Initial Cook: Set your air fryer to 350ºF (175ºC) and cook the chicken for 25 minutes. This starts the cooking process and begins crisping the skin on the bottom side.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Carefully turn the chicken over so it’s breast side up. Cook for an additional 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, ensuring it is safely cooked.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken carefully and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it juicy and tender when served.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Adjust cooking time based on the size of your chicken and your air fryer model.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking improves juiciness.
- Optional sugar in the marinade can add subtle caramelization to the skin.
- Trussing helps the chicken cook evenly and maintain a compact shape.
