Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Yes it’s true, you can cook a roast chicken dinner in an air fryer! In fact, it is one of the easiest and quickest ways to make a delicious, crispy roast chicken with juicy meat, all while saving time compared to traditional oven roasting. For this recipe, I use a dual air fryer, which makes it even more convenient as you can cook the chicken and side dishes at the same time. However, if you only have a large single-basket air fryer, don’t worry; this recipe works just as well, and you can still achieve fantastic results.

Cooking a whole roast chicken in the air fryer is a game changer. The air circulation in the fryer ensures the chicken cooks evenly, with a beautifully crispy skin and tender, flavourful meat on the inside. The key is to season the chicken generously with your favourite herbs and spices. I like to use a simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary, but feel free to get creative with your seasonings. The air fryer’s high heat helps to lock in the flavours, creating a perfect roast.

What makes this recipe even more fantastic is that you can cook the entire meal in the air fryer. Along with your roast chicken, you can add sides like roasted vegetables or potatoes, saving you time and reducing the need for multiple pans. Simply toss your veggies with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook them in the dual air fryer’s other basket, or cook them in your large single-basket air fryer after the chicken is done.

You can find this recipe on page 32 of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: One Basket Meals.

PREP 20 minutes

COOK 60 minutes

SERVES 4 people

KIT you will need an air fryer and mixing bowl

Ingredients for air fryer roast chicken

An 85g packet of stuffing mix

A knob of butter

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

Sprigs of fresh rosemary – some chopped for stuffing, some whole for garnish

Vegetable oil

1.5kg whole chicken

3 or 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

4 frozen store bought Yorkshire puddings

Instant gravy granules

Sea salt and ground black pepper

Method

So start by making your stuffing per the packet instructions and add the butter, sliced onion and chopped rosemary. Roll the stuffing mix into balls and set aside.

Then drizzle vegetable oil over the whole chicken and season it with salt and pepper. Place the chicken, breast side down into the air fryer and cook for thirty minutes at 190c.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss until all the potatoes are coated.

Once the chicken has cooked for 30 minutes, open the air fryer and turn the bird over so it is breast side up. Put the stuffing balls around it and cook for a further 30 minutes. Put the potatoes in the other basket and cook for 15 minutes at 180c. Shake them a few times during cooking.

Like the potatoes, put the carrots in the mixing bowl, drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss until coated in oil. Once the potatoes have had 15 minutes, add the carrots to the air fryer and cook them together for 15 more minutes. Then turn the air fryer up to 190c and cook for 10 to 15 more minutes until the veg is golden and tender.

When the chicken and stuffing have finished cooking, the balls should be golden and the chicken juices run clear. Remove them from the basket and set aside. Add the Yorkshire puddings to the same basket and cook at 185c for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and hot.

Remove the vegetables from the other basket and scatter with rosemary. Boil the kettle and make the instant gravy then serve!

Tips for Air Fryer Roast Chicken

1. Choose the right size chicken
For even cooking, choose a chicken that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. A 1.5–2 kg chicken works well for most air fryers.

2. Pat the chicken dry
Before seasoning, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This will help achieve crispy, golden skin.

3. Season generously
Rub the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your favourite herbs or spices. Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and paprika work wonderfully. Don’t forget to season inside the cavity too!

4. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3–5 minutes. This ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately and crisps up perfectly.

5. Roast breast-side down first
Start by roasting the chicken breast-side down for about 25–30 minutes. This helps keep the breast meat moist and tender.

6. Flip halfway through
After the first phase of cooking, flip the chicken over so the breast is facing up. Roast for an additional 25–30 minutes until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

7. Use a meat thermometer
Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone.

8. Let it rest
After cooking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.

9. Serve with your favourite sides
Pair your crispy roast chicken with roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Similar recipes

If you love this air fryer roast chicken then you will like my all-in-one air fryer roast pork or the air fryer turky kofta traybake recipes both from my One Basket Meals cookbook or my air fryer roast beef.

So if you are still looking for more air fryer inspiration, then visit my Amazon shop front to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.

Or check out my brand new Club App, with exclusive calorie-counted recipes added weekly, customisable meal plans, printable shopping lists and many many more useful features to make all your meal prepping so much easier!

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