Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken has salty and crispy skin on the outside and juicy, herbaceous meat on the inside. This air fryer whole chicken rivals any store’s rotisserie fare!
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in the air fryer, and believe me it’s a game changer!
I’ll be the first person to admit that I never had the ambition to cook a whole chicken until I bought an air fryer. When I did, I knew it was finally time to air fry a whole chicken rotisserie style! It turned out incredible.
I always thought that there is nothing better than a store-bought rotisserie chicken — until I started to air fry whole chicken. Now, I’m convinced it’s the best way to prepare and enjoy chicken at home.
You’ll love this air fryer rotisserie chicken if, like me, you used to buy it at the grocery store. Plus, there are so many different ways to use it after it’s cooked. Wraps, sandwiches, casseroles…the list goes on and on.
If you love this whole chicken in the air fryer recipe, be sure to try my AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGH SCHNITZEL, AIR FRYER GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN LEGS, andAIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN WINGS!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Moist and delicious
- Incredibly crispy skin
- Seasoned beautifully
- 10 minutes prep + 1 hour cooking time
- Family-friendly
- You can adjust seasonings to fit your preferences
- Works in either a rotisserie-style air fryer (rotisserie air fryer) or a classic basket quart air fryer
What Is a Rotisserie Chicken?
The term rotisserie refers to how the chicken is cooked. It is usually placed on a rod or stick and turned slowly above the heat source.
Through this process, the fat drips off the chicken, leaving you with a chicken that has crispy skin and soft, juicy meat.
I didn’t have a rotisserie rod for my air fryer, but my method of turning the air fryer whole chicken rotisserie style gives you the same result. If you were to taste-test them side by side, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference!
Ingredients Needed to Cook Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer
Here is a list of a handful of ingredients and tools you will need to make this air fryer rotisserie chicken recipe. You can find the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions on the printable recipe card below.
- Olive Oil
- Whole Bird
- Instant-Read Thermometer
- Seasonings: Sea Salt, Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder, Thyme, White Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder
How To Make the Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style
Step 1: Prep the whole chicken
Start by cleaning your chicken!
Remove the package of heart/gizzards, liver, etc., and run water through it until it comes out clean. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
Set the entire chicken in the air fryer basket and rub oil over it.
Step 2: Add the seasonings
In a small bowl, mix all of the spices together. Rub the whole chicken with the spices.
Step 3: Air fry whole chicken
Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F and air fry cooking time for 30 minutes, with the chicken breast side either up or down.
After 30 minutes, flip, oil and season the now upright side, then set for another 30 minutes.
NOTE: The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees F. Cover the air fryer whole chicken with aluminum foil if your chicken skin starts to brown too quickly.
Pro Tips For The Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style
- Add more seasoning than you think. The most important part of making rotisserie chicken in the air fryer is ensuring it’s well seasoned. You can also use a dry rub.
- Completely cover the chicken with oil. It’s vital to make sure you oiled it to get a juicy and delicious chicken dinner.
- Check the internal temperature of your air fryer whole chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked before removing it from the air fryer.
- Rest: Be sure to let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking for juicy results.
- Crispiest skin: For the best air fryer rotisserie chicken, make sure you baste the chicken frequently during the cooking process and baste it as the chicken cooks.
- Side: It doesn’t matter if you place the chicken breast side down or up when you start cooking since you will flip the chicken.
What size whole chicken can you air fry?
The size of the bird that you can cook will depend on how large your air fryer is. I have a 5-quart one and my chicken was just over 3 pounds — and it fits perfectly! You can also use kitchen twine or butcher’s twine to tie the chicken up so it fits into the air fryer basket.
I have made this recipe in a 4-quart air fryer or 6-quart air fryer. I found that my whole chicken in the air fryer recipe works well for any size.
What is the best cooking time for whole chicken in the air fryer?
The timing of your air fryer whole chicken is dependent on two things:
- How big is your chicken is
- The air fryer model
An average whole chicken will take about 40 to 60 minutes to cook, but the true indication of a cooked chicken is when the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
As I have mentioned a few times, a handy meat thermometer is one of the best investments you’ll ever make.
Always check the thickest part of your chicken to check the temperature! Be sure to check the temperature of the thickest part of the thigh.
How long should I leave the air fryer rotisserie chicken to rest before slicing?
When you air whole fry chicken, you should allow it to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Letting it rest allows the juices to run into the middle and not onto the cutting board. This way the center will be as juicy as the ends!
Can I reheat an air fryer rotisserie chicken?
Yes! You can air fry whole chicken to reheat it. To do so without drying it out:
- Add it to the basket.
- Set the temperature to 350 degrees F for a few minutes until the chicken is heated.
Can I air fry whole chicken from frozen?
Yes, you can air fry any frozen chicken, including a whole frozen chicken. You should follow the same guidelines as a thawed chicken.
Let it thaw for around 30 minutes at room temperature, then follow the rest of the directions. You’ll need to increase the cooking time by 20-30 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F internally.
Is using an air fryer healthy?
Yes, using an air fryer is a healthier cooking method.
Hot air circulates to perfectly crisp up your food instead of being fried in a pan of oil. This saves you both calories and fat intake!
An air fryer is a perfect appliance and a new cooking technique that can help anyone on a low-fat diet.
How To Store Leftover Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
If you have any leftover air fryer rotisserie chicken, let it cool to room temperature and then place it into an airtight container. This is a great recipe for meal prep!
Place the leftover chicken into an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Leftovers are great for chicken salad, or you can use the chicken drippings to make pan gravy!
How To Cook A Delicious Rotisserie Chicken On An Air Fryer Spit
If you have an air fryer with a rotisserie spit, here is how to air fry it. This will also work if you’re making a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer oven like Tower, Vortex Plus, or Emeril.
Step One: Unscrew the spit, and add the whole chicken into the cavity. Ensure that your chicken ends up in the middle of the spit rod.
Step Two: Attach the other side of the spit rod.
Step Three: Place the metal rod (spit) into the air fryer oven and firmly attach both sides to the oven. Make sure that the rotisserie function works — you don’t want the chicken to interfere with the rotisserie function. Also, ensure that the chicken is not resting on the drip pan or hitting the heating elements, otherwise, the spit will not work. Plus it might cause some damage to the heating element.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN WINGS
- CRACK CHICKEN CRESCENT BITES IN THE AIR FRYER
- AIR FRYER SHREDDED CHICKEN
- AIR FRYER OLIVE GARDEN COPYCAT CHICKEN PARMIGIANA
- BROCCOLI AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER
- THE BEST AND EASIEST AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES RECIPE
- AIR FRYER BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND BACON
Don’t Forget To Pin:
Easy Air Fryer Rotisserie Roasted Whole Chicken — Looking for an easy way to roast a whole chicken? You need an air fryer! This rotisserie roasted chicken is juicy and delicious, and it's so easy to make. Just follow these simple steps, and you'll have a meal everyone will love. Plus, the air fryer does all the work – there's no need to turn on the oven! So give this recipe a try today – your family will be glad you did.
- 3-5 pound whole chicken
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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Start by cleaning your chicken, remove the package of heart/gizzards, liver, etc. and run water through it until it comes out clean.
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In a small bowl, mix all of the spices. Then rub the oil on one side of the chicken and the rub mixture. Then set the temperature to 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, flip, oil the side, and season the side, set for another 30 minutes. Chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees F.
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Let cool, slice, plate, and enjoy!
I saw this recipe yesterday went to market bought a chicken, almost 5 lbs, came out great, hubby says this air fryer is one thing that he really loves, everything comes out so well.
The flavor is awesome! Cooked on the rotisserie spit in 14Qt NuWave. Took 1.25 hours for a 4.35lb bird. Used canola oil and wrapped it in cooking twine.
Delicious! Will use this mixture again for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Since I didnt have all the seasonings the recipe call for and I dont use salt, I used what I have on hand, but outside of that I followed the cooking time. This recipe cameout great. It was very moist. I am so glad I have added it to my collection.