Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

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5 from 1 votes
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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 under 20 minutes.

air fryer bbq chicken.

Craving barbecue but don’t have the patience to whip out the grill? This air fryer bbq chicken recipe is your answer.

While we typically stick to air fryer chicken breast or air fryer chicken tenderloins for our dinnertime protein option, but dousing them in some barbecue sauce has completely elevated them!

Table of Contents
  1. Why this recipe works
  2. Ingredients Needed
  3. How to make air fryer bbq chicken
  4. Tips to make the best recipe
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More delicious ways to air fry chicken
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Why this recipe works

This chicken may look incredibly fancy, but it’s so easy to whip up.

  • It is hassle-free. BBQ is almost synonymous with smoking and grilling. And not everyone is equipped with the means, leisure, or preference for traditional grilling. For such cooks, this air-fryer recipe is the perfect solution!
  • Quick and easy. No long marination time, breading, or complicated ingredients. This recipe is as simple as it gets.
  • Amazing texture and flavor. The texture of the chicken is perfectly tender, juicy, and moist. The sauce gives it a sweet and tangy barbecue flavor that leaves you craving more.
air fryer bbq chicken breast.

Ingredients Needed

This air fryer barbecue chicken is so easy, and besides the chicken and the sauce itself, there isn’t much else needed to make. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 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.
  • Salt & pepper. To taste.
  • Onion & garlic powder. For flavor seasoning.
  • BBQ sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce, or opt for one with the least added sugar.

How to make air fryer bbq chicken

Bbq chicken in the air fryer is easy to make: just remember to pat dry the chicken pieces before rubbing the spices over it.

Prep the air fryer: Grease the air fryer with oil or cooking spray and preheat it at 180°C/350°F.

Prep the chicken: Dry the chicken and rub the spice mix all over it.

seasoned chicken breasts.

Air fry the chicken: Cook the chicken for about 8 minutes on each side.

how to make air fryer bbq chicken.

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

chicken in the air fryer with bbq sauce.

Tips to make the best recipe

Line the air fryer basket: Layer the air fryer basket with parchment paper to avoid a messy basket.

Avoid overcrowding: Layer and space the chicken evenly for the best cooking and consistent results.

Start with room-temperature chicken: To ensure the chicken is cooked evenly in the air fryer, take it out of the fridge half an hour 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. If it is at 165°F, your chicken is ready. 

Storage instructions

To store. Allow the chicken to cool down completely. Then, refrigerate it in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.

To freeze. Toss the leftover BBQ chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 months.

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

bbq chicken air fryer.

More delicious ways to air fry chicken

Frequently asked questions

Can I use any other cut to make this chicken recipe?

Of course! Make air fryer BBQ chicken thighs, chicken legs, or chicken drumsticks using the same process and ingredients.

Can I use frozen chicken?

If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely in the fridge, pat dry, and use it like fresh chicken. Be sure to pat dry the chicken to ensure there is no excess moisture.

Can I coat the chicken with BBQ sauce before air frying it?

I don’t recommend doing this. The sugars in BBQ sauce will burn during the long cook and yield rubbery chicken. It’s best to slather it during the last 2 minutes of the cook.

air fryer bbq chicken recipe.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

5 from 1 vote
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 under 15 minutes.
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 19 minutes
Total: 24 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 4 small chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F. Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. 
  • Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Rub the spices all over the chicken.
  • Air fry the chicken for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 8 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and cover generously in the barbecue sauce.
  • Return the covered chicken to the air fryer basket and cook for another 2 minutes. 

Notes

TO STORE: Allow the chicken to cool down completely. Then, refrigerate it in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.
TO FREEZE: Toss the leftover BBQ chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 months.
TO REHEAT: If using frozen BBQ chicken, let it thaw in the fridge and warm it in the air fryer until ready. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 25gFat: 3gSodium: 1082mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 117IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 15g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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