Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Juicy and tender, this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe is easy to make and great to use for a wide variety of dishes! Chicken breasts covered with a delicious BBQ sauce are great to enjoy on their own or in wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
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Simple and easy, this barbecue chicken recipe comes together in the air fryer with just a few minutes of cooking time. It's an easy weeknight dinner or quick and filling lunch!
Why This Recipe Works
Pair tender chicken breasts with your favorite barbecue sauce for a simple but amazing entree. With less than 20 minutes of prep and cooking, this simple recipe is great as a starting point for a satisfying dinner.
All you'll need is chicken, seasonings, and your favorite BBQ sauce! Thanks to the air fryer the chicken turns out perfectly juicy every time.
And if you're a big fan of BBQ sauce, my BBQ Chicken Nachos, Oven Baked Ribs, and Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs are all must-try recipes!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breasts: Affordable and easy to find, chicken breasts are a perfect base for this recipe.
- Seasonings: A combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and black pepper infuses the chicken with lots of flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Balances out all of the savory flavors and brings out the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought sauce or try my Homemade BBQ Sauce!
How to Make this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Step 1: Combine all of the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Step 2: Season the chicken breasts all over with the spice mix.
- Step 3: Place chicken breasts in a preheated air fryer and cook at 370 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Step 4: Brush the sauce over the chicken and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of the chicken breasts. They may take slightly longer to cook.
- Chicken tenders are also a good option--just be careful not to overcook them.
- Allow some space between the chicken in the air fryer basket to allow even cooking. You may have to cook in batches.
- The chicken will continue to cook as it rests and the juices will also distribute for more tender and juicy chicken. Hold off on slicing until after the chicken has rested for at least a couple of minutes.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, it's safe to put raw chicken in your air fryer as long as you cook it to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the chicken.
This can be served on its own with a side of corn and sweet potato fries or baked potatoes, sliced on top of a salad, or as a filling for wraps and sandwiches!
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 pounds and 1/2 inch thick
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- Slice your chicken breasts lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick cutlets
- In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and brown sugar until combined.
- Sprinkle it evenly on both sides of the breasts.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees for 4 minutes.
- Place the chicken breasts into the air fryer basket and fry for 10-12 minutes.
- Brush the bbq sauce over the breasts and fry an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove from the sir fryer and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders can also be used but the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- Dont overcrowd the basket, they may need to be cooked in two separate batches.
- Keep in mind the chicken will continue to cook as it rests.
