Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

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Make crave-worthy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken in a snap! A simple homemade rub seasons the chicken deliciously before being air-fried to juicy perfection, and then basted with BBQ sauce. Serve it with your favorite sides for a quick and easy dinner!

You may like to serve it with White rice and some air-fried Broccoli.

Sliced air fryer bbq chicken over rice in a white bowl.

Chicken is one of my favorite protein and a huge bonus is all my 5 kids love chicken so this recipe was a huge win for us. 😁 Well-seasoned and smothered in barbecue sauce, this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken cooks up so juicy and tender. It’s a protein that pairs well with a variety of sides, and it’s bursting with so much flavor that even your picky kids will gobble it up!

Plus, depending on the BBQ sauce that you choose, this air fryer chicken is quite healthy with plenty of lean protein. You can make my homemade BBQ sauce if you prefer.

Recipe Highlights
Ingredients you will need
How to Make it
Recipe Tip
Frequently asked questions
What to serve it with
Storage recommendations
More air fryer recipes
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe

Recipe Highlights

Easy prep: Simply season the chicken, then let your air fryer do the work – perfect for busy days!
Minimal Cleanup: Cooking in the air fryer means less mess and fewer dishes to wash.
Delicious! This turns out super juicy, tender, and covered in a rich, thick BBQ sauce.
Versatile: Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, family get-togethers or any time you need a tasty, easy meal!

Ingredients you will need

It only takes some pantry staple spices and barbecue sauce to make this air fryer BBQ chicken recipe! Here is a note on all of the ingredients:

ingredients laid out to make bbq chicken breast. Which are some seasonings, oil, salt, and chicken breasts in a round bowl.

Chicken: You’ll need 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness mixed with some heat.
Cayenne pepper: This will definitely add a kick of heat! If you’re sensitive to spice, use less or omit it.
Kosher salt: Enhances all of the flavors.
Onion powder: For a subtle onion taste.
Dried oregano: Brings a peppery bite and a slightly sweet, earthy aroma to the chicken.
Garlic powder: For delicious garlic flavor.
Avocado oil: Or olive oil for moistening the chicken and helping the seasonings to adhere to the outside.
BBQ sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce or try my easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe!

See a full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card below!

How to Make it

Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.

Using a mallet to pound chicken breasts.

Step 1: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness; this will ensure even cooking.

Mixing seasonings in a small white bowl.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine all the spices. Rub your chicken breasts with the spice mix and the oil.

Marinating chicken breasts in a seasoning rub.

Step 3: Allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes on the counter. Then place it in the preheated air fryer without overlapping.

Brushing on BBQ sauce on chicken that is cooking in an air fryer.

Step 4: Cook them in batches, Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Over the last 2 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with the BBQ sauce.

My Pro Tip

Recipe Tip

Don’t overcrowd: To ensure even cooking, don’t overlap chicken breasts in the air fryer. Cook in batches, if you need to.
Check the temperature: Appliances can vary, so it’s a good idea to check the temp with an instant read thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked to 165ºF.
Rest: Let the chicken rest at least 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the chicken instead of spilling onto your plate.

Sliced chicken with BBQ sauce over white rice.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you barbecue in an air fryer?

Yes, all you need is a really good rub (like the one in this recipe!) and your favorite barbecue sauce! The air fryer cooks the chicken so evenly, and it always turns out tender and juicy.

Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?

Raw chicken breasts or even tenderloins are great cooked in the air fryer. We’ve found the best temperature for cooking chicken breasts is 370ºF in a preheated air fryer. Let them cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in the air fryer?

To keep chicken nice and moist, add some oil to the outside of the chicken. As long as you don’t overcook the chicken, the air fryer does a great job of cooking juicy chicken.

What to serve it with

Veggies: Enjoy the BBQ chicken with your favorite veggies like sautéed green beans and garlic-roasted broccolini.
Fries: Make your own baked potato fries. Try these zucchini-baked fries or these sweet potato fries.
Potatoes: BBQ chicken tastes great with mashed potatoes or potato salad. For a low carb option, this mash potato made with cauliflower.
Mac and cheese: Pair this with some baked mac and cheese!
Salad: Serve with a fresh green salad on the side, or try with this creamy broccoli cauliflower salad or this black bean quinoa tabbouleh salad.

Storage recommendations

Leftovers are great for quick meals throughout the week. Here’s how to store them so they stay fresher longer:

In the refrigerator: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 5 days.
In the freezer: Place cooled chicken into freezer-safe bags or an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Leftovers are best reheated in the air fryer for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. This helps to keep the inside nice and moist. You can also rewarm in the microwave or over the stove until warmed through. Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight and reheat the next day.

Sliced air fryer bbq chicken served with rice.

More air fryer recipes

Air fryers make mealtime a cinch! Here are a few of my other favorite recipes that are super simple to prepare and will have your whole family impressed:

Thanks for stopping by! If you make this dish or any of my other recipes, I would really appreciate you taking the time to comment and rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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