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Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer produces fast and delicious results. Let me show you how! I marinated mine in a zesty and flavourful marinade, inspired by the Greek cuisine. 

Serve with Sweet Potato and Swede (Rutabaga) Mash for a delicious non-fussy dinner or make these rosemary lemon potatoes in the oven. 

whole chicken on platter with roast potatoes around it
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Roast chicken is firmly associated with special dinners in my brain because it takes a bit of time and effort to produce. What if I told you I’ve discovered a kitchen hack, that allows you to get a fully cooked whole chicken on the table in 40 minutes? 

I mean this chicken is one of the best things I’ve had in awhile. Crispy, flavourful skin, tender and juicy flesh and the best part it’s done super fast! Take a look these Air Fryer Green Beans for a delicious and speedy side too. 

Let me introduce to you my This is an affiliate link.air fryer whole chicken method together with the delicious marinade I used for this recipe.

lemon halves, olive oil, garlic, oregano

Greek Marinade Recipe

No need to go overly complicated on the marinade. Greek flavours are simple yet delicious. Zesty lemon, punchy garlic and fragrant oregano all brought together by the extra virgin olive oil.

Don’t forget salt! Salt doesn’t just season the chicken, it also draws out moisture from the skin and makes it crispy and delicious.

whole chicken raw, covered in marinade

Air Fryer Chicken Top Tips

This recipe produces a chicken, which tastes very similar to a rotisserie chicken. So if you are someone who picks it up regularly from a deli, you are in for a treat! This style of chicken is so easy and quick to achieve in your air fryer. Here is how:

  • Use a This is an affiliate link.meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked all the way through. (75C/165F internal temperature)
  • You need an air fryer with 4Q/4.2 L capacity or bigger. 
  • Pick a small chicken, no larger than 3 lbs (1.5kg). This will ensure that the chicken cooks all the way through without burning on the outside. Plus it needs to fit in your air fryer! Increase cooking time if using a larger chicken.
  • Allow the marinade to work its magic for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours prior to cooking. 
  • Cover the breast of the chicken with aluminium foil 15 minutes into the cooking to prevent excessive browning. 
top down view of roast chicken and potatoes

More Fast Whole Chicken Recipes

4.50 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Greek Whole Chicken

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer produces fast and delicious results. Let me show you how!
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1.5 kg/3 lbs whole chicken, small
  • 3 tbsp This is an affiliate link.olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh if available
  • salt

Instructions 

  • Mix the olive oil, minced garlic, the juice and zest of a lemon, oregano and salt. Rub the marinade all over the chicken including the cavity. Put the squeezed lemon halves inside the cavity, tie the legs with a kitchen twine and marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
  • Preheat air fryer by selecting Roast and set the temperature to 170C/325F for 3 minutes.
  • Place the chicken in the air fryer breast side up and roast for 35-40 minutes. After 15 minutes cover the breast with foil to avoid burning and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes longer until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (breast) registers 165F/75C. Remove from the air fryer using two spatulas (the air fryer will be very hot). Let it rest for 15 minutes before cutting.

Notes

  • Increase cooking time if using a large chicken than the recipe indicates. 

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 682mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Julia from Vikalinka

About Me

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. Rachel says:

    3 stars
    Hello!
    Nice seasoning and covering with the foil seems like a good idea but it’s not practical – it flies into the top of the air fryer within seconds and isn’t safe. It would be helpful to include tips for how to safely put foil on the chicken and what is safe to weigh it down with. Ended up just not being able to cover the chicken which of course resulted in burnt seasoning.

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Although I didn’t encounter the same issue I am sure different air fryers can create this problem. In this case tucking the foil under the chicken would easily solve it.

  2. Beth says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! My family is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! Looks so delicious and very tasty!

  3. Toni Dash says:

    5 stars
    This was a really delicious chicken recipe! I will definitely make it again!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Thanks so much, Toni!!

  4. Shelley says:

    5 stars
    Ooooooh this marinade! So simple but such great flavors! I’ve never done a whole chicken in the air fryer before – thanks for the delicious inspiration. Total comfort food, so easily!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Air fryer chicken is such a time saver!!