If you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal for your weeknight dinner, you can’t go wrong with this Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Also perfect for meal prep for the week with only 6 ingredients and one hour of your time!

When it comes to making budget-friendly meals, you can never go wrong with a whole Chicken. For less than $10, you can feed a small family for one or two meals. In this easy recipe, I’m using just four simple ingredients to season the chicken and my air fryer to cook. This Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe is a flavorful, quick weeknight meal that doesn’t break the bank. 

Can you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?

I’ll admit that I was originally skeptical about whether a whole chicken could be prepared in an air fryer. However, in an XL air fryer (5.8 quarts of space or more), I quickly realized that there was just enough space for a chicken that’s 4-5 pounds. 

One of the great things about using an air fryer to make a whole chicken is that it allows you to have tender meat and crispy skin in less time than if you prepare it in the oven. 

How do you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?

1. Wash the chicken, then dry it with a paper towel.
2. Mix the spice mixture and rub it all over the inside and outside of the chicken.
3. If you have time: Allow the meat to marinate in the spices for at least 3 hours.
4. Add the whole chicken to the air fryer, drizzle it with olive oil, and cook it for 30 minutes on 400ºF.
5. Carefully, flip the chicken, drizzle it with more olive oil, and cook it for another 20-25 minutes.
6. Allow the meat to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into it. 

The cooking time on this dish will vary based on the air fryer that you have and the size of your whole chicken. It should not take more than one hour. 

To marinate or not to marinate:

This chicken recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prep. I love to season the meat right before I head to work so that it’s ready to be cooked when I get home. 

You can skip the marinating step, but understand that some of the deepest parts of your chicken might not be as flavorful as the meat on the surface.

What flavor variations can you add to this dish?

If you want to take this Lemon and Garlic Whole Chicken to another level, then you can top it with the sauce that I created in my Garlic Parmesan Wings. You’d simply make the whole chicken as is in this recipe. While the meat rests, you can top it with the Garlic Parmesan Sauce. 

You might also add other herbs to the spice mixture, such as fresh Parsley, Thyme, or Rosemary.

When is the whole chicken fully cooked?

Your chicken is done when the thickest part of the meat reads 165ºF. However, I recommend that you stop cooking your meat at 160ºF since the chicken will continue to cook while it rests.

If you need to check on your chicken to check on the temperature, one of the benefits of using an air fryer is that you can always open the lid.

You should also know that the skin of the chicken will cook more quickly than the meat. Don’t get afraid of a little char on the skin. The meat inside will still be tender.

Fresh or Frozen Meat?

In this recipe, I’m using a fresh young chicken. I’d recommend that you thaw your whole chicken before cooking it if it is frozen. For me, cooking cold or frozen meat has a negative impact on the texture and taste. 

How can I turn this Whole Chicken into a meal?

I pair this chicken with a side salad, some roasted vegetables, or with my cauliflower rice risotto!