Instant Vortex Whole Rotisserie Chicken {How To}
A whole rotisserie chicken is now possible at home. Easily! Don’t let the accessories intimidate you, here I show you how to make a whole rotisserie chicken in your Instant Vortex Plus!
The Instant Vortex is the newest counter top kitchen appliance to hit my house!
The Instant Vortex is from the makers of the ever popular Instant Pot, but this isn’t a pressure cooker, this is an air fryer!
Actually, it has 7 cooking functions. I write all about what the Instant Vortex is and how I like it in this post.
Don’t have the Vortex, but still want to air fry a whole chicken, I have done that too, you can see that post here.
The thing that intrigued me the most about this new machine was the rotisserie spit that comes with it!
I am pretty pumped for all of the rotisserie things that are going to happen over here. This chicken was my first rotisserie meal, but I followed it up with this Instant Vortex Rotisserie Roast Beef and it also was a huge hit!
First up, Instant Vortex Whole Rotisserie Chicken!
Here are the accessories (that come with the unit) that you need for your whole rotisserie chicken.
Once you prep your chicken (more to come on that below), you need to insert the rod through the chicken. Use the forks to secure the rod to your chicken. Look below to see.
To load your chicken into the Instant Vortex, you want to press down on the red lever on the left side, (see below) and load the rod into the black attachment inside your vortex. Then you slide in the right side.
How to prep your chicken
A few important things.
First, remove any gizzards or organs that may be inside your chicken.
Second, make sure your chicken is tied up (trussed). Otherwise, you are going to have chicken legs falling all over the place!
Third, pat your chicken dry
Fourth, stuff the cavity with lemon, rosemary, and garlic cloves!
Last, drizzle oil on the chicken and add your rub.
Can I use any size chicken?
No. no, you can’t
4 pounds or less. I like to aim for a 3 pound bird.
If you go bigger, your bird will burn as it hits the top of the machine. You may also break the rod or the hardware that attaches it to the oven.
Which setting should I use?
Depends on how crispy you like things. I have used the roast and air fry setting with success. There isn’t a huge difference in cook time, but the air fried bird had much crispier skin. So – your choice!
Ready to get rolling with your chicken. Rolling – ha! Get it?! ugh ok, not funny.
Instant Vortex Whole Rotisserie Chicken {How to}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb tied whole chicken do not try this with any larger than 4 pounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary whole
- 1 whole lemon, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, halved
Chicken Rub
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 spring rosemary - leaves only
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the rub ingredients. Set aside.
- Place the chicken on a clean cutting board.
- Ensure the cavity of the chicken is clean.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with the lemon, garlic, and rosemary.
- Tie your chicken with twine if needed.
- Pat the chicken dry.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and using a brush, coat the entire chicken.
- Shake the rub on the chicken and rub in until the chicken is covered.
- Insert the rotisserie rod through the chicken.
- Insert the rotisserie forks (one on each side) to secure the rod to the chicken.
- Set your vortex to 375°F, on either the roast or Air Fry setting. Air Fry setting gets you a crispier skin. Set time for 40 minutes. Check the temp in 5 minute increments after the 40 minutes.
- Let the vortex pre heat. When it beeps and "add food" comes on the screen load your chicken.
- Press the red lever on your Instant vortex down and load the left side of the rod into the vortex.
- Slide the left side along the metal bar and into the groove so it doesn't move.
- Close the door.
- At 40 minutes, check the temp every 5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F in the breast, or 185°F in the thigh.
- Remove from the vortex using the Y tool provided. See first image in the post. Don't forget to use the red lever to release the rod.
- Let the chicken rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Don't skip this step, it is important for a moist chicken.
- Slice and serve!
Nutrition
When you make this, tag me @mealplanaddict on Instagram, or head over to the Meal Plan Addict Community and post a photo!
I had a problem finding the “died oregano”. I used fresh. Regardless great recipe
I think it meant “dried”
Ha Ha good catch! Thanks LOL
Has anyone tried to cook a Cornish hen in the rotisserie?
Silly question. Did you use the ‘rotate’ setting? If so, was it for the whole time?
Thanks!
I do! and yes, the whole time.
Excited! I’m trying this tonight! I’ve had a hRd time finding recipes for this machine so I’m so excited! Thanks in advance!
Me too Danielle! So hard finding recipes. Glad to find this. Cooking this as we speak and it smells fantastic!!
It’s so hard to find a whole chicken that’s less than 4lbs
My chicken is exactly 4 pounds and it rotated at first but then stopped. I’ve taken it out and put it back in several times and it will only rotate for a minute or so. Will it be ok if it doesn’t rotate? Should I just turn it half way through?.
I’m using a 3lb bird exactly…and it’s rotating. But it looks like it’s having a hard time. It slips a little on the one side. Did yours do this?
Where did u get it. Cant find any that size
Costco!
Same here, cooking now!!!!
Did you use the red button on the left side to open up the latch to lock it in? If not, that is why it didn’t rotate. I’m on my 2nd chicken and it turned out great- hard to find 3-4 lb chicken but I was able to find one after searching
Can you use the basket to rotisserie a chicken in the instant vortex plus
If your chicken fits, I suppose, but I don’t think it will get as crispy.
Yes I have put a small sized chicken in the basket and it came out fine.
Can’t find a 3 lbs chicken. Have looked everywhere. They are either just over 4 lbs or walmart suggested a cornish which is under 2 lbs. I even called tyson. The chickens today are huge..and if u u try to bu y organic..they are very expensive. Any advice?..i love my instant vortex and want to do rotisserie chicken.
I found three lb chickens at Sprouts
Costco has two chickens in a package. They’re around 4 lbs each.
Organic chickens are smaller then regular chickens , because their not full of growth hormones and steroids.
Lori,
I found a nice selection of organic small birds at my local Food Lion. 3 to 4 pounds. Doin one tonight with lime instead of lemon, as my lemons were well past their prime.
Sprouts has small chickens.
My apologies but I am a little confused. Its a rotisserie chicken but you arent using the basket? And you are on air fry setting? I just got my cortex yesterday. The chicken I bought is 3.6 pounds but I believe it atill has some of the neck on it bc it does not fit in the basket. Help?
HI Ashley, no I don’t use the basket, I use the rotisserie spit rod! No need to use the basket for a whole rotisserie chicken!
My 1st try with fries was sad. Dogs would not eat them. (concrete) LOL …They were Perfect for supper. Doing a rotisserie chicken now. Hope works, (hubby(77) will not let me forget). He is our cook. I am keeping a close eye on bird.
I ordered a cookbook for my cooker not here yet. Instant Vortex plus. Temp 375° for 40 min.
Not sure that will be long enough.
?????? Praying …..
Where did you find a cookbook for this appliance ? I need one.
I don’t have a cookbook for the vortex.
I got my recipes from pentres when I first started with my Vortex now I do everything I love it I use it for every day all you have to do is ask how to do what you’re looking for and how long it’s really easy
Amazon has some. they have some for free to download on kindle app, the app is also free. lots of free books for kindle on Amazon
Look on Amazon.
Amazon has a couple different ones.
This is the second time I’ve used this recipe. I’m enjoying my Instant Vortex Plus Pro. I’ve used it about 6 times. I find my 3 lb chickens at HEB market in Texas. I have an Instant Vortex AirFryer cookbook, but its easier to find recipes on the internet.
Amazon, they have several
Please let me know where you found the cookbook
Look for Walmart Online Shopping. Then search on the site for 10 quart Instant Vortex fryer oven cook books. It will pull up several to look at. I ordered several. They were hand delivered to my door the next day. I also have ordered one from Prime Amazon.
You are not to use the basket. You use the rod and secure it with the 2 forks that came with it. See the picture at the beginning of this post that you’re on. The basket is for French fries
You don’t put it in the basket I thought the same thing you use the rotisserie rod and ends to cook basket is for small things like veggies and fries.
Ashley,
Use the rotisserie spit with the two forks, not the basket. You might be able to fit a Cornish Hen in the basket, which may be my next endeavor, but not a 4# bird.
Will just checked , looks ok. Checked for blood. None found. Hubby wants 5 more minutes…..(?)
I made it ! 3.64 pound x 45 min on roast. Check temperature Then & put on air fryer for 5 more minutes just to crisper skin. Add 1/4 of cayenne pepper to the rub. Put lemons,onion,garlic inside. It came out delicious. I used the rod
My chicken wasn’t fall-off-the-bone tender… does this mean I should cook it longer? I did 385F for 57m (I know, random number… that’s where it stopped, but everything I saw said 50m-70m so I figured it was good enough). It was a 3.97# bird.
*Correction: I did 380 (what the IP manual’s timetable said), not 385
Always cook chicken to 165F in the breast. Cooking a whole chicken soely by time is not the way to go since sizes to vary. Use the time as a guide and always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
I just received my Vortex Plus and was reading your instructions. There was NO rotisserie rod in the box. Do you know where I can get one.
This was a gift. Thank you.
I would contact Instant Pot directly. It should have been included.
Thank you!!!
Just purchased the air fryer…secured a 2.99 pound chicken and it will not turn the bird…the spit keeps slipping in the plastic end…not sure who designed this but it ought to be metal. Its seated all the way but the dark composit…turns around the metal spit…returning it tomorrow.
I made this on tray vs rotisserie. 3.5 lb. Chicken. 45 min. Roast 360 degrees. Perfect.
I just got the Instant Vortex Plus, 7 function model. (10 qt) Is the “Plus” the same model? I haven’t tried it yet, but I’d love to find a cookbook for it. If one doesn’t exist, will any air fryer recipe book do? PS. – Is the door supposed to be loose when open? Does it detach?
Thank you! Laura
FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T FIND A WHOLE SMALL CHICKEN OR WHO LIKE ONLY THE BREAST
I used the recipe on a large CHICKEN BREAST only, as I cannot find a chicken under 4 lbs. The breast was seasoned as instructed, sans the cavity fillings of course. It fit perfectly on the spicket. Popped it in the oven on AIR FRY at 400 and let it rotate for 20 mins. I then lowered to 365 and checked the internal temperature, but not 165 yet, so I continued cooking and checked every 5 minutes and it was done to about 165 in about 15 more.
THIS WAS THE BEST ROAST CHICKEN I’VE EVER HAD! I love roasting a chicken, but this is so next level!!! My husband raved and wanted it again the next night. It’s so crispy on the outside with the most juicy and tasty chicken Ever. I’ve never had such tender chicken that was THAT JUICY! I didn’t weigh the breast but should have for future reference. It served 3 people generously. No gravy needed!!
The oven is worth it just for that alone, in my book!
Great recipe, thank you! I struggled to get the bird on the spit, but finally did. My vortex does not rotate, though. I have tried to adjust it multiple times without success. I guess we will see how it comes out.
If you have any tips about the rotation- I welcome them.
Might be a dumb question, but is the chicken thawed or frozen? New to this air fryer. My other one has recipes for frozen and thawed? I wanna rotisserie chicken tonight!!!
How long for a cornish hen?
Steph: I’ve been making this recipe for a while now. I can’t thank you enough for posting this amazing recipe and detailed instructions. My family loves it!
Is an extra pan needed to catch the juices from the chicken, or is the bottom drip pan enough?
I don’t need anything extra.
The recipe was great, no issues. I just got the unit yesterday and it is far from amazing given I own an instant pot and Ninji unit as well. The documentation is weak, the website’s additional information is really poor and I suspect there will be a lot of bad food as I go through trial and error. I do appreciate the recipe for both the seasoning and the basics on the unit for rotisserie chicken. For new folks, use exceptional care with the forks in getting the chicken onto the spit. They are, in my opinion too short so fiddling around with the bird is a bit of a pain.
Great recipe. But it was the first time I was using the rotisserie. Had a heck of a time getting it in the chicken and ready to go. All of the stuffing fell out in the first 5 minutes. Plus — the air fryer was already hot… burned myself multiple times getting it on the rotation device. I fought for this meal and won!
I buy free range organic chickens and have yet to find one under 4lbs. What a scam.
This might be THE BEST meal I have EVER made. It was absolutely fabulous and perfect.
How would you go about reheating a rotisserie chicken in the air fryer like this? Temperature and time for a whole fully cooked rotisserie chicken would be great.
I can’t possibly be the only person to experience this, but I’m buying small chickens and still cannot EVER put one on the spit without it’s touching the bottom of the air fryer. The entire thing is super awkward anyway, as the spit goes through a big open cavity and is very challenging to secure properly anyway. Can anyone offer their advice on how to make this work?
Did you truss the chicken? I’ve done birds up to about 4.5lbs if they’re *very* well trussed. Also as it cooks it will tighten up and be less floppy.
Truss the bird
Tie the bird really tight. I’m using 3.7 lb Cornish game hen and it rotates perfectly.
Great recipe! I made another rotisserie and cut the legs and thigh off as it was too big and placed them on the bottom and they cooked perfectly at the same time the rest of the bird was on the rotisserie
Val- great idea about cutting to fit!
Thank you so much for going to all the effort required to document your rotisserie chicken recipe. This is my go to recipe now and I’ve used it 4 times so far. My local grocery store always has small 3.5 lb to 4 lb whole chickens. The best part is most times they are priced to sell because most people pass the small whole chickens up to get the bigger ones. I have one in roasting in my Instant Vortex right now that is 3.55lbs and only cost me $3.51. Being a single guy, I can get 4 to 5 meals out of one chicken.
Once again, thank you. Your step by step instructions are spot on and easy to follow. For anyone roasting a chicken for the first time… As the author states, the internal temperature of the chicken is key. The time can vary but check the chicken breasts for 165 degrees and vary the cook time as needed.
We received the air fryer for Christmas this past year. First thing on my mind was doing a rotisserie chicken. Prepared exactly as listed, and it turned out phenomenal. So good, that we are making it again just a couple of weeks later. Keep all the ingredients exactly as listed, and even the seasonings. Most tender and juicy meat on a bird I have ever made, and I used to roast in the oven at least once a month. Thank you for this recipe!
Remember to “truss” your chicken! If you tie it up well enough it won’t rub on the top or bottom of your oven 🙂 Excellent recipe! I just buy the whole chicken breast, basically a chicken with wings and legs removed works perfectly!