This air fryer rotisserie chicken, seasoned simply with herbes de Provence, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, is juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful. Skip the store-bought rotisserie chicken and whip up this healthier, equally delicious version right at home.
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the words rotisserie chicken, my mouth immediately starts to water up. I can practically smell the rich scent of fresh herbs and taste the crispy skin! This convenient air fryer recipe allows you to have all the yummy of store-bought versions but with less guilt.
My air fryer rotisserie chicken recipe represents the pinnacle of poultry perfection, friends! It’s slathered in a flavorful wet rub of Herbes de Provence, salt, pepper, and garlic powder – a straightforward yet awesome combination. Cooking the fully seasoned chicken in the air fryer ensures a beautifully crisp exterior while keeping the inside moist and juicy.
What Is Rotisserie Chicken?
The term “rotisserie” refers to how the bird is cooked. Chicken (usually whole) is roasted (often on a rotating spit) over direct heat. When cooked right and appropriately seasoned, it is generally tender, juicy, and flavorful. It has wonderfully crispy skin and is a good, lean source of protein. Rotisserie chicken is widely available as a grab-and-go option at grocery stores such as Costco, Safeway, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This easy recipe for rotisserie chicken in the air fryer comes together with just six simple ingredients, most of which are herbs and seasonings, to enhance the flavors.
- Whole chicken: The chicken must be small enough to fit into the basket of your air fryer. I used a 3-pound bird.
- Sea salt, Ground Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder: You could try cumin and smoked paprika, as well as any seasoning you prefer.
- Herbes de Provence: This is my favorite but feel free to use Italian seasoning, a combination of rosemary and thyme, oregano, or any other seasoning you’d like.
- Olive oil
How to Make Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
All you have to do is rub the seasoning on the chicken, pop it in the air fryer, and let the machine work its magic. Flip it halfway through cooking, and this delicious rotisserie chicken recipe will be cooked in 1 hour.
- Season the chicken. Pat the chicken dry and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Whisk together the sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, herbes de Provence, and olive oil. Rub it all over the chicken.
- Air fry. Air fry the chicken at 360˚F for 30 minutes on either side or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
Recipe Tips
- Get a smaller bird. Keep in mind that your air fryer has a limited capacity. If you try to cram a too-large bird into the air fryer, the hot air won’t circulate around the chicken well. I recommend a 3 to 4-pound chicken for a 5-quart air fryer.
- Remove excess moisture. Before seasoning the chicken, pat it dry with a paper towel, inside and out. Excess moisture will cause the chicken to steam in the air fryer, preventing it from crisping up properly.
- Get under the skin. If you can get the wet rub under the skin without tearing it, do it. It will impart extra flavor to the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer. If you don’t preheat the air fryer, it is likely that the chicken won’t have that crispy skin.
- Grease the basket of the air fryer. Unless you want your chicken to stick to the basket of the air fryer, grease the basket before adding the chicken to it.
- Use a meat thermometer. Air fryers differ in how they cook and chickens vary in size. So be sure to double-check for the doneness of the chicken before serving. A meat thermometer inserted deep into the breast should read 165˚F. Give the bird an extra 5 to 10 minutes in the air fryer if it’s not cooked through.
How To Use Rotisserie Chicken
Cut the chicken into sections and serve it with a tasty side. Alternatively, take the meat off the bone, shred it, and use it as the star protein in your favorite salads, pasta, burritos, and more. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken on top of these Sheet Pan Lime Chicken Nachos or try it on my Japanese Kani Salad, Jennifer Aniston’s Bulgur Salad, Lemon Kale Caesar Salad, or my Mediterranean Cobb Salad would be great choices.
Shred up some of this juicy chicken and use it in these Easy Chicken Enchiladas, my Crock Pot Chicken Quinoa Enchiladas Casserole, Creamy Ricotta, Spinach, and Chicken Cannelloni, or these Spinach and Artichoke Dip Quesadillas. Stir it into this Chicken Pasta Primavera, Chicken Broccoli Pasta, Mediterranean Baked Feta Pasta, or my Creamy Lemon One-Pot Pasta.
Storing and Reheating
- Store rotisserie chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing, shred the meat (optionally keeping the carcass to make homemade stock), and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before use.
- Reheat shredded chicken by baking it at 350˚F for 5-8 minutes or in a preheated 350˚F air fryer for 4-6 minutes, shaking halfway. For sectioned chicken pieces, wrap them in foil and bake at 350˚F for 15-20 minutes or air fry at 375˚F for 5-7 minutes until hot.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
When air fryers first came out, I wasn’t so sure about them. Once I tried a few recipes using one, I changed my mind. They are so simple and easy to use, resulting in seriously tasty results. Here are a few more air fryer recipes for you to try.
- Air Fryer Tilapia
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken
- Air Fryer Lobster with Cream Sauce
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, about 3 to 4 pounds
- 3 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons herbes de Provence
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken dry, inside and out, with a paper towel and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Make the wet rub. Whisk together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, herbes de Provence, and olive oil in a small mixing bowl.
- Season the chicken. Rub the chicken with the wet rub, making sure to get into every nook and cranny. If you can get under the skin without tearing it, try to get some wet rub in there too.
- Prep to fry. Preheat the air fryer to 360˚F and spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray.
- Air fry. Place the chicken, breast side down, in the air fryer basket and fry for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken and fry for an additional 30 minutes.
- Check for doneness. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the breast of the chicken. If it reads 165 degrees F, you are good to go. If it’s not there yet, give the chicken another 5 to 10 minutes in the air fryer before checking again.
- Rest. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving it.
Notes
- Use a smaller chicken, ideally 3 to 4 pounds, to fit well in a 5-quart air fryer.
- Dry your chicken with a paper towel to avoid steaming and ensure a crispy skin.
- If possible, apply the wet rub under the skin for more flavor. I use the handle of a wooden spoon to carefully separate the skin from the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer and grease the air fryer’s basket to prevent sticking.
- Use a thermometer to confirm the chicken is cooked to 165˚F.
- You can serve the chicken in sections or shred it for salads, pasta, burritos, and more.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
