The Benefits of Cooking Roasted Chicken in an Air Fryer
As the cost of groceries and dining out continues to rise, finding efficient and delicious meal prep recipes becomes increasingly important. One of the most satisfying meals is a perfectly roasted chicken. However, traditional oven roasting can be time-consuming and may significantly increase the temperature in your home, especially during the summer months. An air fryer offers a faster and more energy-efficient alternative that doesn’t turn your kitchen into a sauna.
Over the past decade, as a food and kitchen tech editor, I’ve found the air fryer to be one of my most-used appliances. Its versatility has allowed me to experiment with various cooking techniques, but nothing has impressed me more than using it to roast a whole chicken. Not only does it cut cooking time by 15 to 20%, but it also delivers crispy skin and tender meat with minimal effort.
Why Choose an Air Fryer for Roasted Chicken?
Roasting a whole chicken in an air fryer is not only possible but highly effective. The key to a great roasted chicken lies in achieving high heat without overcooking the bird, which ensures a crispy skin and moist meat. An air fryer excels at this task because it circulates hot air around the food, creating a consistent and intense heat environment. This method often results in better crisping than a full-size convection oven due to the smaller cooking chamber.
Most air fryers can accommodate a 3- to 4-pound chicken, making them ideal for family dinners. For example, I successfully cooked a 4-pound roaster in my Dreo 6-quart ChefMaker smart air fryer oven. While some models come with advanced features like steam functions or smart programs, they are not necessary for this recipe.
What You Need to Get Started
To make a perfect roasted chicken in about 45 minutes, you’ll need:
- A 4-quart or larger air fryer
- A whole chicken (4 pounds)
- Simple spices and pantry ingredients
The preparation is straightforward. I adapted a recipe from online sources and my own oven-roasted chicken method. I created a quick marinade using olive oil, grain mustard, salt, pepper, and a Mediterranean seasoning blend. I also stuffed the chicken with half an orange, green onions, and fresh parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serving roasted chicken with side dishes is easy. I paired mine with rice made in my rice cooker, but you could also add potatoes or other root vegetables directly into the air fryer basket. This creates a complete meal that can feed four or five people—all cooked in one nonstick basket.
Tips for Perfect Results
While air fryers cook quickly, it’s essential to monitor the chicken closely, especially toward the end of the cooking time. The intense heat can cause the skin to burn if left too long or set too high. If the skin is browning faster than the chicken is cooking through, reduce the heat and continue checking.
You can always return the chicken to the air fryer once the meat is fully cooked to achieve a crispier skin before serving. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Roast Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4-pound chicken, giblets removed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons grain mustard
- Seasoning blend (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon or orange
- Fresh herbs
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
- Whisk together olive oil, mustard, seasoning blend, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the mustard marinade over the entire chicken.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast down on top of the wire rack.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip the chicken breast up and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Remove when the juices run clear or the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Pour the juices from the air fryer basket over the sliced chicken or use them to make a gravy.
