Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken

This Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken is a great way to cook a whole chicken in under an hour.

The air fryer produces a perfectly crispy skin with juicy, succulent meat inside, plus all you need is a few simple ingredients to make a delicious meal for your family. If you want to make a smaller version of this dish, try my Air Fryer Half Chicken Recipe.

If you love Air Fryer Chicken Tenders you may also enjoy this comforting meal. This air fryer butterfly chicken turns out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, you can’t go wrong with this easy recipe.

Jump to:

• Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken
• Why I Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• Variations / Options / Add-Ins
• Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• How to Make Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
• Serving Suggestions
• Pro Tips
• FAQs
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• 📋 Recipe

Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken

I love to serve chicken to my family for dinner because it’s such a healthy dinner. Chicken is full of protein and other nutrients such as B vitamins, zinc, and selenium, so you can feel good about serving it to your family. 

Don’t have an Air Fryer? This Smoked Spatchcock Chicken is absolutely delicious!

Why I Love This Recipe

Want to wow your family with a tasty dinner that takes no time at all? Look no further than this Spatchcock Chicken – perfectly roasted in under an hour! 

• Easy to make
• Perfect for picky eaters
• Fills the house with a delicious aroma

If you love air fryer chicken recipes you may also enjoy this Air Fryer Curry Chicken recipe.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this air fryer butterfly chicken recipe.  All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, or you may already have them on hand, which can save you a trip to the store. 

• whole chicken – I like to purchase a fresh young chicken instead of buying a roaster. 
• fruit juice – You will need orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice. I like to use fresh fruit juices, but bottled will work as well. 
• seasonings – I used garlic, parsley, salt, and thyme. You could also use black pepper. 

Substitutions

Fruit Juice: Instead of orange juice, you can use pineapple juice as well. 

Oil: I used olive oil for the skin, but you could also use avocado oil, vegetable oil or even softened butter to help the skin become crispy. 

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

There are many variations to this air fryer chicken recipe that can be made. 

Herbs: Add in some extra herbs and spices, like rosemary or sage. You could also use paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder or garlic powder.

Cheese: Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of the chicken after it is cooked for an extra cheesy flavor. 

Spicy:  Add in some cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. 

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this simple air fryer chicken recipe. 

• sharp knife and cutting board 
• air fryer – I used an 8 quart air fryer for this recipe. 
• pan – I like to use a cake pan or a pie plate. Just make sure that it will fit in your air fryer basket. 

How to Make Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken

Making this recipe is so simple. Just follow the instructions listed below, and you will have a simple meal that doesn’t require much active prep time in no time at all. 

Step 1: Slice the lemon 

Slice 1 lemon into whole slices. Add to mixing bowl.

Step 2: Combine the seasoning ingredients

Combine the rest of the ingredients minus the chicken to the mixing bowl. Mix.

Step 3: Add the chicken to the marinade

Add the chicken to the mixing bowl. Flip the chicken two to three times to coat it.

Step 4: Allow the chicken to marinate  

Let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Add the chicken to a pan 

Using a pan, that fits both the chicken and air fryer basket, place the chicken in the pan. Pour marinade over the chicken, but don’t overfill the pan.

Step 6: Decorate the top of the chicken with lemon

Place lemon slices across the top of the chicken.

Step 7: Air fry the chicken

Cook at 350 for 30 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°.

Step 8: Remove the chicken and carve

Remove the chicken and carve. 

Step 9: Garnish and serve

Garnish with lemon and parsley.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve this with a side of these Air Fryer Diced Potatoes and this Broccoli, Bacon and Cheese Salad for a fresh meal.

Pro Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure that your chicken turns out perfectly every time that you make it. 

• Be sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. 
• Use an internal thermometer to check that your chicken is cooked through before serving. 
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking before you carve it. 
• I’ve found it’s easier to cut through the backbone of the chicken when I use a very sharp knife or kitchen shears. 
• I cooked the chicken breast side up. 
• If you want a really crisp skin on your chicken, pat the chicken dry before you add the chicken to the marinade. 
• You will need an 8 quart or larger air fryer to have room to cook the entire chicken. 
• Once you’ve enjoyed the chicken, you can use the leftover chicken carcass for bone broth. 
• Air fryers can cook differently, so make sure you check the temperature of your chicken and adjust the cook time as needed. If you need to add additional time, I recommend adding it in 5 minute increments. 
• If your chicken has giblets, you can add those to your broth for a great flavor.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you like air fryer recipes, give these recipes a try:

• Air Fryer Biscuits
• Easy Air Fryer Sausage
• Air Fryer Tacos
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
• Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

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📋 Recipe