If you're looking for a quick and easy recipe, this Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken is perfect! This roast chicken is cooked with a light and crispy crust, and the orange and lemon flavors give it a delicious zing. It's perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Refreshing Taste: The citrus marinade provides a light, tangy twist to your chicken breast meat.
- Perfectly Roasted: The air fryer delivers a beautifully browned exterior and juicy butterflied chicken.
- Easy Clean-up: Using one basket in the air fryer means less mess in the kitchen.
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole butterflied chicken- You will need to butterfly a whole chicken. See notes below on how to do this.
- Lemons and Lemon Juice- You will need whole lemons as well as lemon juice for this recipe. I use the bottled lemon juice.
- Orange juice- Use pulp-free 100% orange juice for best results. If you have pulpy orange juice it can leave a weird texture.
- Lime juice- You can use fresh limes or bottled lime juice. Fresh is always going to give you a more citrusy flavor.
- White wine vinegar- If you don't have white wine vinegar, you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Olive oil- I use olive oil, but you could use vegetable oil or canola oil if that's what you have.
- Spices- You will need garlic powder, parsley, salt, and thyme to add a delicious flavor complex.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- No Whole Chicken? Use chicken thighs or breasts—adjust cooking time for smaller cuts.
- Different Marinade: Swap citrus juices for balsamic vinegar and honey for a richer glaze.
- Spice It Up: Add paprika, cayenne, or chili flakes for a bolder kick.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken?
Nothing is hard about this recipe. It just takes a little chopping, mixing, and marinating. Follow the steps below for a healthy air fryer chicken recipe.
Step One: Slice 1 lemon into whole slices, and add it to a mixing bowl. Next, combine the rest of the ingredients minus the chicken into the mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
Step Two: Add the chicken to the mixing bowl. Flip the chicken from the chicken breast side to the bottom of the chicken two to three times to coat it. Then, allow the chicken to marinate in the citrus seasonings in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step Three: Next remove the backbone from the chicken, use a knife to cut through the breast bone, and flatten the Chicken using a mallet. The raw meat should now be shaped like a butterfly. Using a baking dish that fits both the chicken and air fryer basket, place the chicken in the pan. Pour the marinade over the chicken but don’t overfill the pan. Place the lemon slices on top of the chicken.
Step Four: Finally, place the chicken in the air fryer and cook it at 350℉ for 30 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165℉. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and carve it up. Whether you love the chicken breast, the leg, or chicken thigh meat, serve your chicken and garnish with lemon and parsley if you desire.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Even Butterfly for Uniform Cooking: Ensure the chicken is evenly butterflied so it lies flat in the air fryer. This helps achieve a uniformly crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender.
- Citrus-Infused Marinade: Marinate the chicken in a blend of fresh citrus juices (like lemon, lime, or orange), olive oil, garlic, and your favorite herbs. This not only imparts a bright, zesty flavor but also helps tenderize the meat.
- Preheat for Perfect Sear: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature before adding the chicken. A hot start promotes a delicious, golden-brown finish while sealing in juices.
- Monitor Doneness and Rest: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing to lock in the moisture and enhance flavor.
💭 FAQs
Air Fryer Citrus Butterfly Chicken is a delicious and healthy way to cook chicken. The chicken is first marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Then, it is placed in an air fryer and cooked until crispy and golden brown.
The resulting chicken is juicy and full of flavor, and the lemon-garlic sauce provides a perfect finishing touch. Air Fryer Citrus Butterfly Chicken is a simple and healthy recipe that is sure to please the whole family.
To butterfly a chicken, start by removing the backbone. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully cut through the breastbone. Once the chicken is open, flatten it out and tuck in the wings.
Yes, you can use either chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. However, the cook time will be reduced. I prefer to use a whole chicken because it comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Yes, you can marinate the chicken in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. This step is not necessary, but it will help to infuse more flavor into the meat.
To store leftover air fryer chicken, let the chicken cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to four days.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Air fryer butterfly chicken is perfectly served with a simple salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, and avocado. But, if you want more than a salad, here are some more side ideas:
🍽 Related Recipes
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Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 Lemons
- ¼ Cup Lime juice
- ¼ Cup White Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic
- 2 Teaspoons Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon Thyme
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Slice 1 lemon into whole slices. Add to mixing bowl
- Combine the rest of the ingredients minus the chicken to the mixing bowl. Mix
- Add the chicken to the mixing bowl. Flip the chicken two to three times to coat it.
- Let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes
- Using a pan, the fits both the chicken and air fryer basket, place the chicken in the pan. pour marinade over the chicken but don’t over fill the pan
- Place lemon slices across the top of the chicken.
- Cook at 350℉ for 30 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165°
- Remove the chicken and carve.
- Garnish with lemon and parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
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