Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
This air fryer bbq chicken breast recipe is quick, simple, and flavor-packed. These Juicy bbq chicken breast in air fryer is smothered in sweet, spicy, and smoky sauce and then cooked to tender and juicy perfection. Enjoy with sides like potatoes, salads, roasted vegetables, or corn on the cob.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
This air fryer bbq chicken breast recipe is simple. You only need chicken breasts, spices and herbs, and a quick homemade (or store-bought) BBQ sauce to put this recipe together. It couldn’t be easier!
This air fryer barbecue chicken breast is juicy, moist, tender, and packed full of flavor. Say goodbye to long marinating times, dry chicken, and complicated cooking instructions!
Bbq chicken breast in air fryer is versatile. You can serve the chicken as-is, or pair it alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, or any side of your choice. You can also use it in sandwiches and wraps.
No grill is required to make this barbecue chicken breast in air fryer yet you achieve similar smoky, tender, and crispy results without smoke in your eyes and the inconveniences of the grill! backyard grill-worthy without the need for an actual grill.
This is a quick bbq chicken in air fryer recipe that requires just 20 minutes of your time. Plus, the prep is a breeze! Simply season it, then pop it in the air fryer, baste it with bbq sauce, and wait for it to crisp up.
This Air fryer bbq chicken breast recipe is gluten-free, low-carb, high in protein, and easily made keto-friendly. This recipe suits most types of dietary needs and preferences.
Related: Air fryer boneless chicken breast, Marinated chicken in air fryer
Ingredients
The full ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Chicken: I use boneless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs or drumsticks if you prefer, but the cooking times will need to be adjusted up or down accordingly.
BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand, or make a homemade bbq sauce! whichever one you use, make sure it’s a good one as it’s the primary flavoring ingredient providing sweet, tangy, and smoky elements
Spices: For added savory, spicy, and herbaceous notes, I love to use a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion granules, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Olive oil: Use olive oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or your favorite cooking spray.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Breast In Air Fryer
Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
First, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This will ensure a crispy final result!
In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion granules, parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Brush the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly.
Arrange the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Remember to leave space between the pieces of chicken.
Air fry the bbq chicken breasts at 400F/200C for 10 minutes.
Bring out the air fryer, then brush all over the chicken breasts with the BBQ sauce.
Air fry it for an additional 4 minutes. Flip the chicken, brush it with more of the BBQ sauce, and air fry it for a final 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165F/75C.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer.
Rest it for 5 minutes then serve.
Serving Suggestions
Once your air fryer BBQ chicken is cooked, pair it with comforting side dishes like curly fries or crinkle fries, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, or potato salad.
Potato sides like air fryer sliced potatoes, and potato wedges pair well with it.
To up the health benefits, add a side of air fryer carrots, or a side salad. Whichever way you go, this recipe is packed full of flavor!
Storage & reheating
To store, follow these simple storage and reheating tips:
Fridge: Let the chicken cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag with the air removed or wrapped in an airtight container. If stored this way, leftovers will keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Let the frozen chicken thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat it in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes, or until warm. You can also microwave the chicken in 30-second intervals, but the air fryer will yield the best results. You can also reheat from frozen without thawing the chicken.
Variations
Homemade BBQ sauce: To further customize this air fryer BBQ chicken, try making your own sauce! Here’s a great homemade bbq sauce recipe.
Spice combinations: Instead of, or in addition to, the spices listed in the recipe, experiment with herbs and spices like basil, oregano, thyme, cumin, or any other of your choice. Each one makes the recipe feel completely unique!
Chicken cut: For a difference in taste and texture, try thighs or drumsticks in place of chicken breasts. Just note, the cooking times will vary depending on the cut you use.
Tips For Making Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Add sauce later: Don’t add the sauce to the chicken until after the 10-minute mark. This will prevent the sauce from burning.
- Choose similar sizes: Try to choose chicken breasts that are about equal in size so they cook to the same doneness. You can use a meat mallet to pound them to the same thickness if you can.
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure optimal and safe doneness, use a meat thermometer on each piece of chicken. They are done when they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165F at the thickest part.
- Flip halfway: Remember to flip the chicken through the cooking process for even crispiness on each side!
FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe. Make sure they have completely thawed first. If you know you’ll be cooking chicken, thaw the pieces in the fridge overnight.
Since it doesn’t contain any breading, this recipe for BBQ chicken in the air fryer is gluten-free. However, just double-check that the BBQ sauce you’re using doesn’t contain gluten.
Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. As long as the internal temperature reaches 160-165F with an instant-read thermometer, it’s safe to consume.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
For more flavorful dishes like this, check out some of my popular recipes:
Air fryer lemon chicken breast
Baked buttermilk chicken breast
Air fryer frozen chicken breast
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 pieces (2lb/500g) Chicken breast
- 1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion granules
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic granules
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper or to taste
- 1.5 tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- First, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This will ensure a crispy final result!
- In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion granules, parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Brush the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Remember to leave space between the pieces of chicken.
- Air fry the bbq chicken breasts at 400F/200C for 10 minutes.Bring out the air fryer, then brush all over the chicken breasts with the BBQ sauce. Air fry it for an additional 4 minutes. Flip the chicken, brush it with the rest of the BBQ sauce, and air fry it for a final 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165F/75C.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer.Rest it for 5 minutes then serve.
Notes
- Add sauce later: Don’t add the sauce to the chicken until after the 10-minute mark. This will prevent the sauce from burning.
- Choose similar sizes: Try to choose chicken breasts that are about equal in size so they cook to the same doneness. You can use a meat mallet to pound them to the same thickness if you can.
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure optimal and safe doneness, use a meat thermometer on each piece of chicken. They are done when they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165F at the thickest part.
- Flip halfway: Remember to flip the chicken through the cooking process for even crispiness on each side!
Nutrition
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