Whole Ninja Foodi chicken recipe using the pressure cooker and air fryer functions so it’s tender meat with crispy chicken skin on the outside when it’s done! Fresh or frozen, make this and our air fryer whole chicken recipe to see which is your favorite.
This is a tender Ninja Foodi chicken recipe with garlic and herbs. Simple directions for this method as well as 5 other ways you can cook a whole chicken in your pressure cooker you’ll love. Just one of our favorite recipe in the Ninja Foodi so bookmark this page because we will add more each week! (affiliate links present)
Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken
There are TWO ways to do this. If you don’t want to pressure cook then follow our link above to use the air fryer lid. Below explains how to use both functions, both come out ultra tender and fantastic. Take your pick.
We have a lot of easy and healthy Ninja Foodi recipes here on The Typical Mom blog. They’re all great, but cooking a whole chicken is usually the first thing you will want to do.
If you too are obsessed with your pressure cooker and air fryer machine, here are a few resource to start with:
- You can bookmark our Ninja air fryer recipes page, we add to that weekly.
- Here’s an air fryer cooking times chart here for your fridge.
- Be sure to save this link to Instant Pot recipes for beginners too. You can use any of those in your pot too.
- Grab a set of wooden utensils to work with. They are great so your pot doesn’t get scratched!
- Then join our Facebook group where you can share and find more ideas you’ll love. Thousands of others share easy recipe ideas.
Can you cook whole frozen chicken in Ninja Foodi?
You can actually and it doesn’t take long to get done. You would use the lid that is not attached with the high pressure function. Then follow our pressure cooker frozen whole chicken instructions and timing.
Let’s start with the liquid underneath. Since we’re using the pressure cooker method for this, it is required. You’re free to use broth or water with thyme and oregano like we chose to do. If only using air crisp with our air fryer bbq chicken recipe this wouldn’t be necessary. I add herbs to this as well as on to the chicken itself.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken
The choice is yours. This is what we rubbed on our whole chicken before we closed the lid. I cannot get enough garlic so that was a given. I seasoned the chicken with Lawry’s since that goes on just about everything too. Beyond that I kinda’ give it a pinch of this and a shake of that until the whole thing is covered.
Ninja Air Fryer Whole Chicken
We have created a lot of other healthy Ninja air fryer recipes but this one uses both of the main functions.
Similar to our pressure cooker turkey breast. Both are gluten free and keto friendly too. Perfect for the holidays when you just have the two of you instead of a large crowd of guests.
If you don’t care about the skins at all just follow the directions here for a whole chicken in a pressure cooker. This is a great combination of both. You can really make the skin just like you like it with seasoning and olive oil spray like you see here.
I like cooking a whole chicken because it is cheap, and it’s kinda’ throw it in and go. You could even add halved potatoes into the liquid at the bottom if you wanted a quick side dish.
How do you make gravy out of chicken stock?
What if you want to make gravy out of the drippings? I would suggest using chicken broth instead of water in the bottom then. It will create a richer flavor when done. You’ll get quite a bit of drippings during the cooking process though so either way will work. Follow these homemade pressure cooker gravy directions.
How do you make gravy without flour or starch?
Use arrowroot, this will make it gluten free too but still acts as a thickener for all the things. With very little flavor you will get the texture and consistency you want without flour.
How to cook whole chicken in Ninja Foodi
- Step 1 – Add your liquid and herbs into your inner pot. Rinse your bird and remove the bag (if there is one) from the inner cavity. Place breast side up inside your black air crisp basket that came with your pot.
- Rub garlic and any seasonings you’d like on to the whole chicken.
- Close your pressure lid and set steam valve to closed/sealed. Set to pressure cook for 22 minutes, do NOT quick release. In order to create a moist chicken you need to allow it to naturally release for about 5 minutes, then let rest of steam out. Do not remove the chicken.
- Change to your air fry lid (one that is attached). Spray with olive oil. You can season more at this time if desired. Push air crisp 400 degrees for 10 – 15 minutes. Cooking time depends on how crispy you want it.
Carefully remove and set on cutting board. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to remain tender.
Ninja Foodi roast chicken
In case you didn’t know, you can easily translate any and all Instant Pot recipes to work in this pressure cooker and air fryer. Here are a few others you should try next:
- Ninja Foodi crack chicken!
- How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer
- Ninja foodi french fries
Our air fryer chicken tenders no breading recipe is a low carb option as well. If you are looking specifically for air fryer dinner recipes we have that too. Tip: If you want REALLY crispy chicken skin then follow directions below but only pressure cook for 20 minutes, air crisp 400 for 20 minutes!
Ninja Foodi Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 ninja foodi
Ingredients
- 4-5 lb chicken , whole
- 3 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 c water, for inside pot
- 1 tsp seasoned salt, Lawry's
- chicken dripping gravy, make with drippings
Instructions
- Add your water, 2 tbsp of your minced garlic, 1 tbsp thyme, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of oregano into your pot.
- Remove any bag that may be inside the cavity. Blot outside skin with paper towels to remove moisture. Rub 1 tbsp of minced garlic on to your chicken and sprinkle your seasoned salt all over your bird. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 tsp of oregano on chicken as well.
- Place inside your black air fryer basket breast side up, and put into your Ninja Foodi machine.
- Close your pressure cooker lid (the one not attached) and seal steam valve.
- Press pressure cook button, high, for 20 minutes.
- Allow to naturally release steam for 5 minutes, then release rest of steam.
- Remove lid. Spray top of chicken with olive oil (if you'd like to add more seasonings now go ahead).
- Close air fryer lid (one that is attached) and press air crisp button, 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Look after 10 (test with meat thermometer) and add more time depending on how crispy you like the skin.
- Lift out and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes so it stays juicy. Slice and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe. It’s my go to for making a whole chicken. I change up the spices but follow the general instructions. It turns out perfect every time.
So glad
Didn’t mention the liquid in the pot.. did I miss it…
Has anyone tried stuffing the bird and if so how long did you cook it for?
Making this right now. Added couple different spices and doing 20 pressure cook & 20 air crisp. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes
How did it turn out cooking 20/20?
thanks the secret is letting the steam stay in – my chicken was so moist i added rosemary and lemon to the pot with a billion