Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Jump to the recipe for full ingredients and instructions.

• Whole chicken: I typically opt for one around 1.8 kg (4 lbs) in size. The amount of seasoning coats and seasons that size perfectly plus it’s close to the max size my air fryer will accept.
• Vegetable oil: To help the seasonings stick and to ensure the crispy skin I know you all love. Don’t be tempted to cut back on the oil — your air fryer roast chicken won’t come out the same. I tend to steer away from olive oil for cooking since it loses it’s flavor in the cooking process anyway.
• Chippy salt: Specifically, I like the Anchor brand chippy salt best for seasoning chicken (and chips, of course). If you don’t have access to it you can make your own similar substitute by mixing salt, onion and garlic powders (the recipe for that in the recipe card). You can of course try a different brand of “chicken salt” but you’ll get a slightly different flavour as they all vary.
• Onion powder: There isn’t enough in the chippy salt for all the seasoning we need so add some more onion powder.
• Mustard powder: Even if you don’t like mustard, don’t worry — you can’t taste a distinct mustard flavour, I promise you. Please don’t leave it out. My mum does not like mustard powder but she loves this chicken and the seasoning.
• Paprika: Preferably, use mild or sweet paprika. Smoked is optional if you love that smoky flavour.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds more oomph and umami.
• Dried ground sage: Finally, I also use dried ground sage. As a note, this air fryer roast chicken recipe works with other seasonings too, but obviously, the flavour will vary. You can swap the sage for ground thyme too which is lovely. If you can’t find it pre-ground, invest in a spice grinder (they’re super handy and not too pricey) and grind your own.

How to air fry a whole chicken

This roasted air fryer chicken is so easy to make with very little effort. You’ll need to spend about 10 minutes of prep time to get it ready, then all that’s left is to be patient as it air fries.

If you don’t have an air fryer, it can be done in the oven too — roast at 200°C/390°F for around 1 hour and 15 minutes, making sure to turn it halfway through. Just bear in mind the skin doesn’t turn out quite as crispy in the oven.

Jump to the recipe for full ingredients and instructions.

What to serve with this air fryer whole chicken recipe

You can keep things simple and serve some frozen chips, or you can make a batch of shoestring fries. Some other delicious potato options include my Parmesan smashed potatoes and fluffy mashed potatoes.

If you prefer vegetables with your roast chicken in the air fryer, try maple roasted carrots, roasted miso mushrooms, or a large rocket salad. Garlic dinner rolls are always a good idea as well.

Roast chicken pairs beautifully with romesco sauce too.

My easy weeknight roasted veggies

With our Thursday night chicken, I always like to do a fridge vegetable drawer clean out and use up anything we haven’t eaten that week. We’re creatures of habit and generally have the same things left at that time of week like half an onion, a capsicum (bell pepper), some broccoli florets and we always have carrots. It takes me about 10 minutes to get these prepped and onto a tray in the oven as it preheats. Here goes;

1. Prep a baking sheet by covering it with a sheet of aluminium foil AND a sheet of baking paper. No washing up and no sticking.
2. Cut the carrots into 1cm thick wedges. Make the broccoli florets large bite size if they aren’t already smaller than that. Cut the capsicum into thick chunks discarding the seeds. Cut the onion into wedges.
3. Toss all the veggies onto the baking tray, then scatter over a little salt and black pepper. Drizzle over a good lug of oil (maybe a couple of teaspoons), then about the same of red wine vinegar and often I’ll add 1 clove of minced garlic too.
4. Give it all a good mix up and place it into your oven that’s preheating to 190C/375F, turning them halfway. They’ll be done by the time the chicken and chips are done and if they look done sooner, just turn the oven off.

This is really such a versatile roasted vegetable recipe. Got some cauliflower, brussels sprouts or green beans in your veggie drawer, use those. Even some baby potatoes. Use whatever you have on hand. If you notice anything cooking too quickly, just set them aside, then add them back in the last 10 minutes to heat through.

Storing

Store leftover air fryer roasted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 4 days. Use your air fryer to reheat it at 190°C/375°F for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.

Leftovers can also be stored in the freezer. It’s great to have at the ready for an easy fried rice dinner. I use silicone freezer storage cubes to portion and freeze the shredded chicken, then transfer it to an airtight container or ziplock bags once solid, knowing that I can take just as much as I want and I know the exact quantity easily.

Souper cubes (avail on Amazon) are great for freezing in portions but I actually own the Smash brand (if you’re in Australia, these are available in Woolies). They start around $20 but you use them over and over again so well worth the investment.

Getting ahead

This air fryer roast chicken is also a great way to get ahead for the week. Cook it on a Sunday ready for lunches during the week. The leftover chicken is lovely in a chicken salad, in sandwiches or chicken noodle soup.

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• Air fryer corn on the cob
• Air fryer teriyaki chicken drumsticks
• Harissa chicken
• Herb roasted chicken
• Crispy pork belly