Air Fryer Roast Chicken & Potatoes
There's just something about a roast dinner. It's comforting, filling and always feels a little bit special, whether it's a Sunday lunch or a simple family dinner during the week.
For years, roast dinners were something I only made on weekends because they felt like such a big job. Between heating the oven, waiting for everything to cook and washing up all the roasting pans afterwards, it wasn't something I'd tackle after a busy day.
Then I discovered just how good a whole chicken is in the air fryer.
The chicken comes out beautifully juicy with crisp, golden skin, while the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. It gives you everything you love about a traditional roast, but with less effort, less washing up and without heating up the whole kitchen.
Now it's my go-to when I want that cosy Sunday roast feeling without the fuss. A few minutes of prep, the air fryer does most of the work and dinner is practically sorted.
Whether you're cooking a relaxed Sunday lunch or looking for an easy family dinner during the week, this Air Fryer Roast Chicken and Potatoes recipe is one you'll find yourself making again and again.
If you love easy roast dinners, you might also enjoy my Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
You Might Also Enjoy
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Everything cooks in the air fryer.
Juicy roast chicken with crispy golden potatoes.
Minimal preparation and easy clean-up.
Perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday lunch.
Great for feeding the whole family.
Delicious served with gravy and your favourite vegetables.
Top Tips
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for crispier skin.
Don't overcrowd the potatoes or they'll steam instead of crisp.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken.
Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.
Shake potatoes during cooking for even browning.
Variations
Add whole garlic cloves to the potatoes.
Sprinkle over fresh rosemary or thyme.
Toss the potatoes with parmesan during the last few minutes.
Add sweet potato or pumpkin alongside the potatoes.
Finish with fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?
Yes! A whole chicken cooks beautifully in the air fryer, producing crispy skin and juicy meat in less time than a conventional oven.
What potatoes are best for air fryer roast potatoes?
Sebago, Coliban and Dutch Cream potatoes all give crispy outsides and fluffy centres.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No. I don't bother boiling them first. Simply starting the potatoes in the air fryer before adding the chicken gives them a beautifully crispy outside and fluffy centre.
If you'd like to speed things up even more, you can microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes before air frying, but it's completely optional and the recipe works well either way.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
Use a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the breast or thigh should reach 75°C.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes. You can season the chicken and prepare the potatoes earlier in the day so dinner comes together even faster.
Air Fryer Roast Chicken & Potatoes (Easy Family Roast Dinner)
Make a full roast dinner in your air fryer with this easy Air Fryer Roast Chicken and Potatoes recipe. A quick, family-friendly meal with crispy potatoes and tender chicken.
Ingredients
- 3-4 potatoes or a mix of potato and sweet potato, cut into cubes
- Oil or melted duck fat, for drizzling
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Chicken Chips Salt (Tweed Real Foods)
- 1 whole chicken
- 60g butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons herb blend (I used Rosemary Garlic Rub from Tweed Real Foods)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Chicken Chips Salt (Tweed Real Foods)
- 1–2 slices of bread (to place under the air fryer tray to prevent smoking)
- Gravy
- Steamed vegetables of choice
Instructions
- Place the potatoes (or potato and sweet potato mix) into a bowl. Drizzle with oil and season with salt, pepper, thyme and Chicken Chips Salt.
- Cook in the air fryer at 180°C for 10 minutes.
- Shake the basket, then cook for another 10 minutes at 180°C until starting to turn golden.
- Remove and rest on a plate while you cook the chicken.
- In a bowl, mix the softened butter with the herb blend, Chicken Chips Salt, salt and pepper.
- Rub the butter mixture all over the chicken.
- Place a slice of bread under the tray or dish of your air fryer to help absorb fat and prevent smoking.
- Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer tray.
- Cook on chicken mode or 180°C for 50 minutes.
- Turn the chicken breast-side up and cook for a further 10 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- (You may need to add another piece of bread around the chicken if your air fryer starts to smoke.)
- Remove the chicken and allow it to rest on a plate.
- Return the potatoes to the air fryer and cook at 200°C for 5 minutes to heat them up.
- Serve the tender, juicy air fryer roast chicken with crispy roast potatoes, gravy and your favourite steamed vegetables.
Notes
Top Tips:
- Rest the Chicken: Resting allows the juices to settle for extra juicy meat.
- Prevent Smoke: Place bread under the tray to absorb drips and stop smoking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
731Fat
42 gSat. Fat
16 gCarbs
48 gFiber
8 gNet carbs
40 gSugar
9 gProtein
40 gSodium
482 mgCholesterol
175 mgThe nutritional information provided is computer generated and is only an estimate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
