This air fryer BBQ chicken is perfectly juicy and tender, and is so much faster than firing up the grill. It needs a handful of ingredients and cooks in just 20 minutes.

My air fryer chicken breast and air fryer frozen chicken breasts are probably the two most-made air fryer proteins I make for my partner and me. They are great as part of our weekly meal prep or quick, no-fuss dinners. He recently requested (demanded, to be fair) that I try a different flavor, which is where this air fryer BBQ chicken recipe was born.

It’s similar to the other two recipes, but this time, I change the seasonings and douse the breasts in some smoky barbecue sauce. Who knew that adding a sauce could completely elevate them? The air fryer helps the sauce cling to the chicken and lightly caramelize without drying out. It’s now become my sneaky way to get my partner and family to stop complaining about how boring chicken breasts are! 

Table of Contents

1. Key Ingredients
2. How to make air fryer BBQ chicken
3. Arman’s recipe tips
4. Storage instructions
5. Frequently asked questions
6. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken (Recipe Card)
7. More air fryer chicken recipes

Recipe highlights

• It is hassle-free. All the barbecue goodness without needing the BBQ.
• Quick and easy. No long marination time, breading, or complicated ingredients. This recipe is as simple as it gets.
• Amazing texture and flavor. The chicken is perfectly tender, juicy, and moist. The sauce gives it a sweet and tangy barbecue flavor that leaves you craving more.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make air-fried BBQ chicken, along with my kitchen notes. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card.

• Chicken. Opt for fresh, pink, uniformly sized chicken breast fillets. The smaller they are, the easier they will be to fit in the air fryer basket.
• Seasonings. I’m keeping it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• BBQ sauce. Use your favorite barbecue sauce or choose one with the least added sugar. I like the Sweet Baby Ray brand because it uses wholesome ingredients and tastes incredible!

How to make air fryer BBQ chicken

Step 1- Prep the chicken. Dry the chicken and rub the spice mix all over it.

Step 2- Air fry the chicken. Cook the chicken for about 8 minutes on each side.

Step 3- Brush with BBQ sauce. Remove the chicken from the air fryer briefly, baste it with BBQ sauce, and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Arman’s recipe tips

• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup. I like to use air fryer liners, which fit perfectly in most air fryers (they are easy to find online).
• Avoid overcrowding: Layer and space the chicken evenly for the best cooking and consistent results. If I’m cooking more than four chicken breasts, I’ll air-fry in batches.
• Start with room-temperature chicken: To ensure it cooks evenly in the air fryer, I recommend taking it out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.   
• Use a meat thermometer: If you have variable-sized pieces, the best way to confirm the doneness of your chicken is to check its internal temperature. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, and once it’s 165F, it’s ready to eat!
• Add some heat: If you are a spice fiend like me (remember, BBQ sauce is already heavily spiced), add some smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or extra black pepper.

Storage instructions

To store. Allow the chicken to cool down completely. Then place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To freeze. Store leftovers in a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to 2 months.

To reheat. If using frozen chicken, let it thaw in the fridge and warm it in the air fryer until ready. 

Frequently asked questions

More air fryer chicken recipes

• Air fryer chicken thighs
• Air fryer chicken nuggets
• Air fryer chicken drumsticks
• Air fryer whole chicken
• Air fryer frozen chicken wings
• Air fryer cornish hen

Originally published September 2023