How to cook a whole chicken in the Ninja Foodi

Learn how to cook a whole chicken in the Ninja Foodi using this delicious lemon pepper chicken recipe. It’s easy and delicious. Perfect for comforting family dinner.

Image of cooked lemon pepper chicken in Ninja Foodi

Ninja Foodi lemon chicken

Lemon chicken is a staple in our family dinner rotation. And since I received my Ninja Foodi, I knew I needed to tweak the recipe to make use of this amazing kitchen appliance.

If you haven’t invested in a Ninja Foodi yet, don’t worry. You can use this recipe in your pressure cooker, or Instant Pot. There will be an extra step, but I’ll share that below.

You can mix it up a bit and try our garlic herb chicken recipe!

Have leftovers? Use them up with one of these simple diced chicken recipes.

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What to cook with a whole chicken

If you’re currently standing in line at the grocery store trying to decide what to cook for dinner, don’t stress! Pin this to your favorite recipe board and it will be ready when you are!

Top image is of raw whole chicken sitting in a Ninja Foodi. Bottom image is of a cooked lemon chicken on a platter. Image text is "Ninja Foodi Lemon pepper chicken family dinner!"

How to make lemon pepper chicken with a pressure cooker and air fryer.

The Ninja Foodi combines the cooking power of a pressure cooker and an air fryer. So if you have either or both of those appliances, you can still make this delicious meal.

Begin by prepping your chicken however you typically prep. I like to rinse mine and then pat dry with a paper towel.

Next, mix together the dry seasonings with the lemon zest.

Image of lemon zest mixed with seasonings for a lemon pepper chicken recipe

Rub half of the seasoning blend between the skin and meat of the chicken breast

Image of someone stuffing a chicken with lemon pepper seasonings

Put the lemon halves inside of the chicken and tie the legs together with cooking twine.

Image of prepped lemon chicken

Pour the water into the Ninja Foodi cooker pot.

Place the prepped chicken into the crisping basket. Make sure to tuck the wings under.

Image of prepped lemon chicken in a ninja foodi

Cover with the pressure cooker lid and set the valve to sealing.

Pressure cook for 22 minutes. Once the cycle is complete, do a natural release for 5 minutes before doing the quick release.

Brush the chicken with the melted butter and sprinkle the remaining seasoning over the top.

Cover with the crisping lid.

Air Crisp at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.

Image of a cooked lemon pepper chicken in a pressure cooker

The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Image of a cooked lemon pepper chicken sitting on a platter.

Pressure cooker lemon chicken

If you do not have a Ninja Foodi yet, you can still create this delicious meal with your pressure cooker.

Follow the directions above through the quick release.

Carefully move the chicken from the pressure cooker into a baking pan. Brush the chicken with the butter and remaining seasoning mixture.

Set your oven to “broil”. Place your cooked chicken under the broiler and watch it closely! Once the chicken has reached your desired crispiness, pull it out and let it rest.

Image of a roasted chicken sitting in a pressure cooker, instant pot, or ninja foodi.

Ninja Foodi Lemon Pepper Chicken

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

The Ninja Foodi makes roasting a chicken effortless!

Ingredients

  • 4-5 pound whole chicken, giblets removed
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 lemons, finely zested and halved
  • 1 teaspoon salt, optional
  • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ cup water

Instructions

    1. Combine the lemon zest, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
    2. Lift the skin of the chicken (over the breast meat) and rub half the seasoning blend between the skin and the meat of the chicken.
    3. Place the lemon halves inside of the chicken. Tie the chicken legs together with cooking twine.
    4. Pour the water into the cooker pot.
    5. Place the chicken into the crisping basket, tucking the wings under.
    6. Cover the cooker with the pressure lid and set the valve to sealing.
    7. Choose the pressure cooker setting for 22 minutes. Press start/stop to begin the cooking cycle.
    8. Once the cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before quick
      release.
    9. Brush the chicken with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining seasoning blend.
    10. Cover with the crisping lid and set the Air Crisp function to 400 degrees. Cook for 8
      minutes.
    11. The chicken is done when the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. When
      done, remove chicken from the cooker and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If you do not have a Ninja Foodi yet, you can still create this delicious meal with your pressure cooker.
Follow the directions above through the quick release.
Carefully move the chicken from the pressure cooker into a baking pan. Brush the chicken with the butter and remaining seasoning mixture.
Set your oven to “broil”. Place your cooked chicken under the broiler and watch it closely! Once the chicken has reached your desired crispiness, pull it out and let it rest.

How to cook a whole chicken in a pressure cooker or instant pot.

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Image of a cooked lemon pepper chicken sitting on a platter next to a Ninja Foodi. Image text is "Ninja Foodi Lemon Pepper Chicken"

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