Juicy and flavorful BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer is easy to make! No oven recipe that is great for a summer barbecue dish or to top a salad. Air fryer BBQ chicken has simple ingredients and is done in just 25 minutes!
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It's no secret that we love the air-fried everything! Crispy air fryer chicken breast and nuggets, wings, or tenders are definitely in regular rotation!
This air fryer barbecue chicken recipe is cooked to juicy perfection! Coated in seasonings like smoky paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder and doused in some good old-fashioned BBQ sauce.
If you like BBQ chicken, try this pellet-grilled smoked BBQ chicken breast!
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner done in just 25 minutes. Made in less time than in the oven or grill with no preheating or waiting!
- Delicious to eat with a veggie side like broccoli or asparagus or as a base for a bowl, in a taco, quick quesadilla or wrap, or a salad. Dinner made easy.
- Crisp outside, tender and juicy meat inside with delicious smoky flavor!
- Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect to make ahead for meal prep for the week.
- One of the best easy chicken recipes for a light summer meal.
- Kid-friendly meal the whole family will eat!
- Can be made in any model you own - I tested it in both my Ultrean and Ninja Foodi. A Power XL, Philips, Instant Pot, or Nuwave will also work.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce - Sweet Baby Ray's is one of my favorites. G. Hughes has a good keto option if you are looking for a no-sugar BBQ sauce.
- BBQ rub: Make your homemade BBQ rub with garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, or purchase store-bought.
- Boneless chicken breast: Use chicken breast or tenderloins for this recipe.
How to Make This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Start by trimming your chicken breast of excess fat, cutting it into equal-sized smaller pieces, and then drying it with paper towels. Spray your chicken with cooking spray. Combine the barbecue seasonings in a small bowl and then rub an ample amount on both sides of the chicken.
- Make sure the meat is coated with BBQ dry rub seasoning on both sides. Start with 2 teaspoon and add as needed.
- Spray your air fryer basket with coconut oil spray and place the chicken evenly spaced in the basket. Air fry at 360F for 8 minutes, temp, flip, and cook for up to 5 minutes more or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads an internal temperature of 165F. Cooking time will be dependent on how thick or thin your meat is.
- Coat chicken with ¼ cup BBQ sauce or more, according to your liking. If you want a little bit of crisp on the sauce, you can return the meat to the basket for 1-2 minutes of air frying but no more to ensure it does not burn.
Expert Tips
- For best results, follow the recipe card as written.
- Ensure pieces are pounded to an even thickness or cut/butterflied to ensure they are consistent in size. Cook time will depend on the thickness of the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness.
- Make Ahead: The recipe can be made ahead through the seasoning stage and stored in an airtight container for a day ahead in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat for 3-5 minutes at 360F or until heated through.
- Freezer Instructions: Make straight from frozen by adding a few minutes per side during air frying and ensure the meat is cooked to 165F in the thickest section. To store frozen, follow the recipe through seasoning and then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Variations: Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar for a sweeter taste. For a hot and spicy version add in 1 tablespoon hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your liking.
Recipe FAQs
Coat with BBQ sauce after air frying. This will prevent the BBQ sauce from burning. If you want a bit of crisp on the sauce, you can return the chicken to the basket for 1-2 minutes of air frying but no more to ensure it does not burn.
This recipe can be made straight from frozen. Add a few minutes per side for each piece of meat and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to 165F.
Yes - this recipe works for chicken thighs, legs, and quarters. For thighs, season each side with salt and pepper and air fry for about 10-12 minutes per side before coating chicken in BBQ sauce.
Summer salads like Italian pasta salad, grilled corn, or watermelon salad are great side dishes for BBQ chicken.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love!
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Juicy and Delicious BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast approximately 4 chicken breasts
- ½ cup bbq sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Start by trimming your chicken breast of excess fat and cutting into equal-sized pieces. Spray your chicken with cooking spray and then rub in an ample amount of BBQ rub on the chicken. I generally spray the basket with coconut oil spray as well.1 pound chicken breast, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Air fry at 360F for 8 minutes then check the temperature. If necessary, flip and cook up to 5 minutes more or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165F.
- Coat chicken with ¼ cup BBQ sauce or more, according to your liking. If you want a bit of crisp on the sauce, you can return the chicken to the basket for 1-2 minutes of air frying but no more to ensure it does not burn.½ cup bbq sauce
Notes
- Ensure pieces are pounded to an equal thickness or cut/butterflied to ensure they are consistent in size. This will ensure that chicken cooks through evenly.
- Make Ahead: Recipe can be made ahead through the seasoning stage and stored in an airtight container for a day ahead in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat for 3-5 minutes at 360F or until heated through.
- Freezer Instructions: Make straight from frozen by adding a few minutes per side during air frying and ensure meat is cooked to 165F in the thickest section. To store frozen, follow recipe through seasoning and then store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Variations: Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar for a sweeter taste. For a hot and spicy version add in 1 tablespoon hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your liking.
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Audrey says
Turned out great! Will definitely be making this again! Thanks for the great recipe.
Lyndsey says
I'm so glad you liked it Audrey! Thanks for the comment and rating!