Juicy and flavorful air fryer bbq chicken that is easy to make and perfect to eat as your favorite barbecue main dish or in a salad! Simple ingredients and 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 bbq chicken is cooked to juicy perfection! Coated in seasonings like smoky paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and doused in some good old fashioned bbq sauce.
Dinner done in less than 25 minutes?? That is a picnic for sure!
If you like BBQ chicken, be sure to try this pellet grill smoked BBQ chicken breast!
What Makes This Recipe Work
- 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, quesadilla or wrap, or in 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.
- 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: you can use your favorite - 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 own homemade bbq rub (see below for ingredients) or purchase store-bought
How to Make This Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- 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 meat.
- Make sure the meat is coated with bbq rub seasoning on both sides. Start with 2 teaspoon and add as needed.
- Spray your basket with coconut oil spray and place chicken evenly spaced in the basket. Air fry at 360F for 8 minutes, temp, flip and cook up to 5 minutes more or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165F. How long to cook the meat 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
- 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.
FAQs
Coat with bbq sauce after air frying. This will prevent the bbq sauce from burning.
This recipe can be made straight from frozen. Add in a few minutes per side for each piece of meat and be sure to use an instant-read thermometer to make sure 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 prior to coating chicken in bbq sauce.
Related Recipes
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
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.
- 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 little 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.
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.
Audrey
Turned out great! Will definitely be making this again! Thanks for the great recipe.
Lyndsey
I'm so glad you liked it Audrey! Thanks for the comment and rating!