BBQ Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
This BBQ Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer turns out juicy, tender, and coated with a sweet sauce all with very little effort. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that cooks quickly, keeps the chicken flavorful, and gives you BBQ flavor without needing a grill.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 15 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 15
- 🍽 Calories: 192 kcals
- 📋Main Ingredients: Chicken breasts, seasonings, BBQ sauce, and oil.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free.
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: This air fryer chicken stays juicy and flavorful while cooking fast enough for easy weeknight dinners.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
This air fryer BBQ chicken breast recipe is one of my go-to easy chicken dinner recipes when I need something fast but still flavorful enough that nobody complains. The air fryer keeps the chicken juicy while giving the outside that classic BBQ flavor without needing to heat up the grill, which is especially helpful on busy nights before activities or practices. We love pairing it with easy sides like this bacon ranch pasta salad with sour cream for simple family dinners.
With recipes like this, I usually make extra because the leftovers work great sliced into wraps, salads like this green keto salad with chicken for easy lunches the next day.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why The Recipe Works💭
- Items and Substitutions
- Flavors To Try
- How To Make BBQ Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
- Helpful Hints
- How To Store It
- How To Serve It
- BBQ Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer FAQs
- More Easy Dinner Recipes For Busy Families
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- Keto Pizza Soup
- Marinated Greek Chicken Gyros
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
Why The Recipe Works💭
Juicy chicken: Since the chicken is brushed with sauce and not cooked for a long duration, it comes out ultra juicy, which is wonderful for meal prep.
Weeknight dinner: This is an easy recipe to double up on and save the leftovers to make something easy the next night, like chicken with easy avocado cream soup.
Items and Substitutions
- Chicken breasts (skinless and boneless): Chicken thighs result in a firmer chicken (extras can be used for this blackened chicken recipe) but thighs will work too. However, they release a ton of juice and may need longer to cook.
- BBQ sauce: Any sauce you love will work. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free or paleo, make sure your sauce meets those restrictions (Primal Kitchen is great for this).
- Avocado oil: I use this one specifically because it has a high-heat point so it’s great for frying.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Flavors To Try
Since there are minimal ingredients in the juicy BBQ chicken recipe, it’s easy to create new tastes. Below are a few favorites.
- Different BBQ sauces: Try smoky, spicy, honey, or mustard-based BBQ sauces for a unique twist.
- Swap the chicken cut: This BBQ air fryer recipe works with chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings for a juicier or more budget-friendly option.
- Make it spicy: Add chili powder or hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for a fiery kick.
- Add a crispy coating: Lightly coat the chicken with panko or crushed pork rinds before air frying for extra crunch.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Mix together the seasonings and coat the chicken pieces with them.
Step 2: Place the seasoned chicken into the prepared air fryer basket and fry for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Flip the chicken pieces and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 3: Brush BBQ sauce on both sides of each chicken piece.
Step 5: Air fry for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 6: Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
Note
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after air frying to lock in juices and keep it tender. This prevents dryness and ensures every bite is flavorful and juicy!
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Brush for Extra Flavor!
For a deeper BBQ taste, brush on an extra layer of sauce after cooking and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This adds even more smoky, caramelized goodness!
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space between chicken pieces so that everything cooks evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer: Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to avoid undercooking or overcooking.
- Apply BBQ sauce at the end: Adding the BBQ sauce near the end helps prevent it from burning while still getting sticky and yummy.
- Flip the chicken halfway through: This will make sure that one side doesn’t dry out.
How To Store It
Storing: Let the BBQ chicken cool fully before placing it in an airtight container. It will store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag, and it will store for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you need it.
Reheating: Reheat it in the air fryer by simply cooking it at 350°F for about 3–5 minutes. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, but the skin may lose some crispiness.
How To Serve It
- Enjoy the juicy BBQ chicken alongside with easy cookout-style sides like this bacon ranch pasta salad with sour cream.
- Slice the chicken and use it in wraps, salads, or sandwiches for quick lunches throughout the week.
- Pair it with roasted vegetables or loaded smashed potatoes in the air fryer for a BBQ-inspired meal without needing the grill.
BBQ Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer FAQs
More Easy Dinner Recipes For Busy Families
If you tried this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 medium chicken breasts skinless and boneless
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- olive oil or avocado oil to grease air fryer basket
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Lightly brush oil on the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken pieces with the seasoning blend.
- Place the seasoned chicken into the prepared air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken pieces and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
- Brush BBQ sauce on both sides of each chicken piece. Air fry for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part. Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after air frying to lock in juices and keep it tender. This prevents dryness and ensures every bite is flavorful and juicy!
- For a deeper BBQ taste, brush on an extra layer of sauce after cooking and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This adds even more smoky, caramelized goodness!
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space between chicken pieces for proper air circulation.
- Adding the BBQ sauce near the end helps prevent it from burning.
Nutrition
Equipment
The seasonings on this is super simple and it comes together with little effort.