Air fryer roast chicken
Wondering how to roast a chicken in an air fryer? We know it sounds mad, but it’s true – you can air fry an entire chicken! The results are surprisingly good; super-crisp golden skin and, because of the way an air fryer works, the meat underneath remains super juicy. Perfect if you are running low on oven space or worry about dry, overcooked chicken.
- Smart cooking method: The chicken is cooked upside down to help keep the white breast meat juicy.
- Extra-crispy skin: Air fryers are brilliant at circulating hot air, helping to create a really bronzed, crispy finish to your roast chicken.
- Customisable recipe: We’ve suggested adding lemon, thyme and garlic for flavour, but experiment with your favourite hardy herbs and aromatics.
Here’s why one of our community of cooks recommends this recipe:
- “The chicken was moist, the skin crispy and the legs had not dried out. I will definitely cook my chicken like this again.”
New to air frying? Check out our collection of air fryer recipes, including full meals, snacks and sweet bakes.
Ingredients
- 1 medium free-range chicken (approx. 1.3kg)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, bashed but with skins left on
- ½ bunch thyme
- 1 lemon
Browse more roast chicken recipes for flavour inspiration.
Method
- Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so it loses its chill slightly. Season liberally with salt and pepper inside and out, then rub the outside of the bird with the oil, ensuring it is completely coated.
- Put the garlic and most of the thyme inside the cavity. Pierce the lemon a few times with a fork, then put this inside the cavity too (if it’s too large to fit, halve it).
- Heat the air fryer to 190°C. Put the chicken breast-side down in the basket (see Know-how), then cook for 55 minutes, turning it over after 30 minutes. Decorate with the remaining thyme and leave to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
FAQs
Cooked at 190°C, we found our 1.3kg chicken was cooked after 55 minutes. Test by piercing the thickest part of the thigh – the juices should run clear.
If the chicken is properly coated in oil, the air fryer has the benefit of creating really crispy chicken skin. If you need to cook a larger chicken for a crowd, the oven may be best.
Nutrition
- 219kcals Calories
- 9.9g (2.3g saturated) Fat
- 32.2g Protein
- 0.3g (trace sugars) Carbs
- 0.1g Fibre
- 0.3g Salt
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Reviews
I bought a new air fryer (Instant Pot Vortex Slim reviewed in Delicious!) and cooked a 1.4 kg chicken, the timings were perfect. The meat was so moist and still moist for lunches the next day. I’ll definitely cook a chicken this way again!
This is so great to hear Lynn! We are so pleased you enjoyed the recipe.
I used this recipe yesterday to cook a 1.9kg chicken (Sainsburys large chicken size). It took 40minutes breast side down and 20 minutes breast side up. The chicken was moist, the skin crispy and the legs had not dried out. I will definitely cook my chicken like this again
Good to hear you enjoyed your air fryer roast chicken!
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