Ninja Speedi Whole Chicken

Cooking a whole chicken in the Ninja Speedi is just like making one in the air fryer, quick, easy, and reliably delicious. You’ll get crispy skin and juicy meat, all in under an hour, with the added bonus of being able to check on it mid-cook without losing heat.

What You Need

Whole chicken – I used a 2kg chicken, but you can use a smaller one if you prefer. Cooking times may be slightly shorter for smaller chickens.

Olive oil – To brush over the skin and help it crisp up.

Dry white wine, chicken stock, or water (300ml) – This goes into the base of the pot and helps with steaming.

Garlic (2 cloves, crushed) – Adds flavour to the cooking liquid.

Herbs and seasoning – Use your favourites. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, or just a simple mix of salt and black pepper all work well.

Making It

Start by pouring your liquid of choice – white wine, stock, or just water – into the base of the Speedi pot. Stir in the crushed garlic and a few herbs so the steam has plenty of flavour to infuse into the chicken.

Next, brush the chicken all over with olive oil. This helps the skin crisp up nicely. Sprinkle over your chosen herbs and seasoning. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper or go heavier on flavours like rosemary, paprika, or thyme.

Place the chicken on the Cook & Crisp tray in the lower position.

From there, it’s really straightforward: select Rapid Cooker, choose Steam Air Fry, set the temperature to 180°C, and cook for 60 minutes.

Note: for a smaller chicken reduce the cooking time. For example, a 1.6kg chicken should take closer to 40 minutes to cook, if unsure, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 75°C in the thickest part.

One of the handy things about the Speedi is that you can lift the lid during cooking to check on how it’s getting along, without losing all the heat.

When the timer finishes, double-check the chicken is cooked through – either by piercing the thickest part of the meat to see if the juices run clear, or by using a meat thermometer (you’re looking for 75°C).

Finally, let the chicken rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before carving – this helps keep the meat juicy.

How The Steam Air Fry Function Works

The Steam Air Fry setting on the Ninja Speedi combines two cooking methods at the same time. First, the added liquid in the base of the pot creates steam, which keeps the chicken moist as it cooks. At the same time, hot air circulates around the food, crisping up the outside just like an air fryer.

This dual approach means you don’t need to worry about the chicken drying out. You get tender, juicy meat inside and golden, crispy skin on the outside, all in one go.

What To Serve With Ninja Speedi Whole Chicken

This chicken goes with just about anything. Some easy side ideas include:

• Air fryer roast potatoes or Speedi rice
• Steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans

Can I Use Different Flavours?

Absolutely! You can change up the flavours to suit your meal:

• Lemon & Herb – Add lemon slices to the base and rub zest and herbs over the skin.
• Garlic & Paprika – Use smoked paprika and garlic powder for a deeper, spiced flavour.
• Mediterranean – Add oregano, thyme, and a splash of olive oil to the base.

👉 Check out more Ninja Speedi Recipes