Persian-Inspired Air Fryer Whole Chicken (Easy & Juicy!)
If you love juicy, flavorful, and tender chicken, you’re in the right place. This Persian-inspired air fryer whole chicken recipe is not only easy to make, but it’s also packed with mouth-watering spices that will take your weeknight dinner to the next level. What’s even better? You can make this juicy chicken in just about 1 hour, with minimal effort. No complicated techniques here—just a foolproof method to get that crispy skin and juicy meat every single time!
Want more Persian style recipes? Try my: Air Fried Persian Chicken, Baked Saffron Rice, Persian Chicken Kabob with Greek Yogurt, and Air Fried Sumac Salmon!
Why Air Fry Whole Chicken?
A foolproof way to make juicy, rotisserie style chicken.
It’s unique because it uses warm species to give it a persian twist!
It gets extra juicy by sitting in the air fryer, because the juices melt into the chicken itself!
I found it overwhelming to make a chicken in the air fryer too, so this is the most basic step-by-step tutorial so you can make it at home too!
There are no complicated techniques here!
Better than store bought because you won’t find flavors
I like to serve mine with warm lavash bread, with fluffy rice, roasted vegetables and sumac on top!!
A Note on Air Fryers! Read This Before Cooking!
Every air fryer is different, meaning cooking times and results can vary based on a few key factors. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your chicken turns out juicy and perfectly golden and not overcooked or charred)
1. Air Fryer Wattage & Heat Strength: Some air fryers run hotter than others due to differences in wattage. Higher-wattage air fryers (e.g., 1800W) cook faster and can brown food quicker, while lower-wattage models (e.g., 1400W) may require extra time.
2. Size & Shape of Your Air Fryer Basket: consider the size of your air fryer, smaller air fryers have more concentrated space, and it could lead to quicker browning. If you are using a smaller air fryer, check your chicken after 15 minutes per side to refrain from excess browning!
3. The Size of Your Chicken Matters: This recipe is written for a 3-lb whole chicken—if your chicken is larger, it will take longer to cook, increasing the risk of burning on the outside before the inside is done. Always check that the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (75°C) before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before we dive into the process, let’s take a look at the ingredients:
1 whole chicken (3 lbs)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
These spices—garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon—will give your chicken a beautiful, warm flavor profile that’s perfect for a Persian twist. If you’ve never tried this combination before, prepare yourself for a savory experience with a hint of aromatic goodness!
My Go-To Kitchen Tools for This Recipe!
Its 5 quart, probably the smallest you could get away with for this recipe
You can easily remove the grate, allowing the chicken to cook in its juices
It has great air circulation, everything cooks evenly in it.
It’s easy to clean!
How to Make Persian-Inspired Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Check Your Air Fryer Size: Use at least a 5-quart air fryer to fit a 3-lb chicken.
Remove the Giblets: Check inside the chicken cavity. If there’s a small bag of parts (neck, liver, gizzard, or heart), remove and discard them. Use gloves, that’s what I need to do or else it grosses me out.
3. Pat the Chicken Dry: Use paper towels to dry the chicken completely. This helps the skin get crispy.
4. Season the Chicken: Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon in a bowl. Rub the chicken all over with Greek yogurt (or olive oil), then sprinkle the seasoning mix all over.
5. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 325°F (163°C) and let it heat for 3-5 minutes.
6. Remove the Grate: If your air fryer allows, take out the bottom grate so the chicken sits in its juices while cooking.
7. Cook Breast-Side Down: Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 minutes.
8. Flip & Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the chicken using tongs. Cook for another 25 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
9. Rest Before Slicing: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This helps keep it juicy! Once it’s sliced up, add lemon juice to finish!
Jazz's Tips for the best Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Here are some tips to make sure your air fryer whole chicken recipe turns out perfect every time:
Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is cooked through, always check the internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F (75°C).
Want Crispier Skin? Lightly spray the chicken with oil (I like avocado oil cooking spray) halfway through the cooking process to enhance the crispiness.
Want Juicier Meat? Removing the grate in your air fryer allows the chicken to cook in its own juices, making it even more tender and juicy.
Do you have a smaller Air Fryer? If you have a smaller air fryer, you can use a Cornish hen instead. It cooks just like the whole chicken but is smaller and fits perfectly in compact air fryers.
Sprinkle with Sumac: For an added tangy, citrusy kick, sprinkle a little sumac on top before serving. It’s the perfect Persian touch!
Serve with Warm Lavash Bread: Perfect for soaking up the juices.
Substitutions and Variations
Not all of us have every ingredient on hand, so here are a few swaps and variations to make this recipe your own:
Greek Yogurt: If you prefer, you can substitute the Greek yogurt with olive oil or butter at a 1:1 ratio. This will still give you a moist chicken with a rich flavor.
Seasoning Swap: You can also experiment with different spices such as Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, or Cajun seasoning for a new twist on the recipe.
How to Tie the Legs Together (aka truss the Chicken)
Place the chicken breast-side up on a clean surface.
Cut a piece of kitchen twine about 12 inches long.
Loop the twine under both legs (drumsticks), bringing the ends up on either side.
Cross the twine over the top of the legs (making an X shape).
Pull the ends of the twine tight to bring the legs together.
Tie a firm knot to secure them.
What if I Don’t Have Kitchen Twine?
Use aluminum foil: Twist a long strip into a rope and tie the legs together.
Use an extra-long toothpick or skewer: Push it through both drumsticks to hold them in place.
Skip it! Tying the legs is helpful but not essential—your chicken will still turn out juicy and delicious.
What to Serve with This Air Fryer Chicken
This chicken pairs beautifully with Persian-inspired sides. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
FAQs
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A 3-lb chicken is the max size for most 6-quart air fryers. If your air fryer is larger (8 quarts or more), you may be able to fit a 4-5 lb chicken.
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Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast. It should read 165°F.
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Yes! Try lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or Italian herbs for different flavors.
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No, but it can help the chicken cook evenly. See the section where I walk through it step-by-step!
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This can happen if too much fat drips. Add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to reduce smoke.
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Giblets are small edible organs (heart, liver, gizzard, sometimes the neck) found inside the chicken. If your chicken has them, they’ll be in a small bag inside the cavity. Simply reach in, pull them out, and discard them or save them for gravy.
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After resting your chicken, place it on a cutting board and start by removing the legs and thighs. Then, carve the breast meat by slicing along the bone. This method works best for a whole roast chicken, whether it's made in the air fryer or oven.
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If you have leftover chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also store it in freezer bags for longer storage. Leftover air fryer chicken can be used in chicken salad, or saved for meal prep the next day.
This Persian-inspired air fryer whole chicken recipe is the best way to make a juicy, flavorful roast chicken in no time. It’s a foolproof method that will make your weeknight dinners both easy and delicious. So fire up your air fryer and give this recipe a try—you’ll never want store-bought rotisserie chicken again!
Persian-Inspired Air Fryer Whole Chicken (Easy & Juicy!)
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3 lbs)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Check Your Air Fryer Size: Use at least a 5-quart air fryer to fit a 3-lb chicken.
- Remove the Giblets: Check inside the chicken cavity. If there’s a small bag of parts (neck, liver, gizzard, or heart), remove and discard them. Use gloves, that’s what I need to do or else it grosses me out.
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Use paper towels to dry the chicken completely. This helps the skin get crispy.
- Season the Chicken: Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon in a bowl. Rub the chicken all over with Greek yogurt (or olive oil), then sprinkle the seasoning mix all over.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 325°F (163°C) and let it heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the Grate: If your air fryer allows, take out the bottom grate so the chicken sits in its juices while cooking.
- Cook Breast-Side Down: Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip & Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the chicken using tongs. Cook for another 25 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This helps keep it juicy! Once it’s sliced up, add lemon juice to finish!
