Best Airfryer Roast Chicken
Posted on November 18, 2021 by in Uncategorized
The Best Airfryer Roast Chicken I have ever had, or made for that matter. I have made a few smaller chicken pieces in the Mi Smart Air Fryer, but have always shied away from doing a whole bird.
The best Airfryer Roast chicken has changed my life and also my electricity bill. I can’t believe it is that simple. Just a little reminder again, that if something seems impossible, just try and of course if there is an owner’s manual….. Read it.
I always feel so sorry for people who work late or have extramural school activities with their kids. To arrive home after a long day and then still to cook supper, will make me very anxious. To be honest, sometimes I am that mom and yes it makes me anxious. Well, the answer is finally here, and with it the launch of the epic new Mi Smart Air Fryer. Life just got a lot simpler, faster and tastier.
We can now have roast chicken, like my mom and gran used to make it in 40 minutes. I’m less stressed, hubby and the kids are elated …. And there is a little leftover chicken for the next day’s chicken mayonnaise sandwiches.
What size chicken should I buy?
The Mi Smart Air Fryer has a 3.5 l basket and could fit a 1.2 kg chicken in it. The chicken is snug as a bug in the basket, but it is a good thing, because it keeps the bird nice and tight. If you are opting for chicken pieces, I can fit 8 pieces in with ease. Two breasts, two thighs, two wings and two drumsticks.
How to clean and prepare the chicken?
Firstly, remove the chicken from the packaging and wipe with a clean paper towel. Then with a kitchen tweezer, I remove all unwanted little feathers and hair. I know it sounds gross, but it is just me, but I do not like the organic look.
I prepare my chicken as you would for a spatchcock chicken. The best is to remove the backbone, thus allowing it to be completely opened out and flattened. For the airfryer roast chicken, I do not flatten it as for a spatchcock. Doing this reduces the cooking time significantly and the juices drip out from the chicken, resulting in a crispier finish. For a tutorial on making the spatchcock chicken, click here.
How do I flavour the chicken?
First, determine what the flavour profile of the rest of your meal is. That will determine what spice mix you will use for the roast chicken. If you are planning an Indian inspired meal, then go for tandoori spice. Make sure the rest of your meal fits in with this cuisine. This tandoori chicken with coconut rice and banana sambal often features on our table. Delicious. If you are cooking for a crowd, a group of hungry teens, they this Mexican share-meal. Making the chicken for this meal would require cumin and some heat in the form of chillies and cayenne pepper. You can even make Crumbed Chicken in your Smart Airfryer, I kid you not.
So how do I apply the spices?
I have tried the traditional dry rub method, but because of the dry heat, the herbs, especially, dry out thus leaving an unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth. I prefer a wet rub. So you can use the same spices, just mix them with lemon juice and olive oil and the result will be so much more pleasant. I prepare my chicken the day before, apply the spice rub and leave it in the fridge overnight. Not only does it intensify the flavour, the lemon juice also tenderises the meat, resulting in a juicy chicken every time.
Best Airfryer Roast Chicken
Makes 1 whole chicken
Ingredients
1 x 1.2 kg whole free-range chicken
15 ml salt
30 ml Amina’s Tandoori Paste or any other spice your prefer
Juice of 1 – 2 lemons – depending on your taste
45 ml olive oil
1 or two sprigs rosemary
a few cloves of garlic
10 ml butter
Method
Lay the chicken on a cutting board with the back to the top and pope’s nose facing you. With a pair of sharp kitchen scissors, cut on either side of the pope’s nose all the way to the neck. Take the backbone out. Take some kitchen paper and clean the inside of the chicken.
Mix the spice mix, lemon juice, salt and olive oil together and make a paste. Rub the entire chicken, inside and out, with the spice mix.
Place the chicken in the airfryer, with the cut size to the bottom. Add the rosemary and garlic and program the airfryer.
I cooked mine on 160 C for 40 minutes and then 10 minutes on 180 C. Check where the drumsticks are connected to the body, if the chicken is cooked. If not, add 5 – 10 minutes to the cooking time. Just before serving, brush the chicken with melted butter. You can add more flavour by adding chopped herbs to the butter before brushing it on the chicken. Enjoy.