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    Home » Air fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Chicken

    Air fryer BBQ Chicken

    By Rachna Published: Sep 5, 2022 · Modified: Feb 12, 2025 5 Comments

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    Smoky, sticky, slightly sweet air fryer BBQ chicken is my favorite. Such delicious flavors that liven up the chicken. It is also healthy when done in air fryer. Perfect and quick main.

    This air fryer BBQ chicken breast recipe gives chicken that is so succulent inside while being slightly crispy outside. There is no breading or flour used. Seasoned chicken breasts are cooked in air fryer and then brushed with BBQ sauce.

    If you love chicken, then air fryer is your friend. From fried chicken to wings and other chicken mains, every thing just turns out fabulous.

    BBQ chicken on a plate

    You may also like: air fryer chicken cutlets, air fryer chicken kabobs, air fryer fried chicken drumsticks, air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer chicken tikka, air fryer tandoori chicken and Air fryer chicken thighs.

    Ingredients

    Chicken breasts: I have used boneless skinless chicken breasts. I have sliced them so that they are of an even size and cook uniformly.

    Olive Oil: This is used to help the spices adhere to the chicken.

    Spices: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and chilli powder or cayenne are used. Onion powder or flakes can be used as well.

    Premixed spice rubs or mixes also work here.

    Ingredients for making BBQ chicken breast are assembled: chicken breasts, spices and olive oil in different bowls.

    Instructions

    Take about 1 lb. or around 500 gm. chicken breast. Slice them thin and of equal thickness.Dry them.

    Assemble the spices that you will use in a bowl. I assembled olive oil, chilli powder, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix them well.

    Apply olive oil all over the chicken both front and back.

    Then take the spice rub and apply it generously over chicken breast.

    Chicken fillets rubbed with olive oil and seasonings.

    Preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 5 minutes. I used a parchment paper with holes for easy cleanup but you can directly place chicken breast on air fryer basket as well.

    Lay seasoned breast in one layer. You will need to do two batches in all.

    Chicken breasts with seasonings in air fryer basket.

    Air fry at 360F or 180C for 6-8 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip each chicken breast. Air fry again at 6-7 minutes till chicken is cooked. Don’t overcook or the chicken gets dry.

    To check if the chicken is cooked, insert a meat thermometer in the fleshiest part of the chicken. It must reach a temp of 165F or above for chicken to be cooked through.

    Chicken breast after air frying and applying BBQ sauce in air fryer basket.

    Now apply BBQ sauce on both sides of chicken breast. Air fry for 2 more minutes at 180C or 360F. Serve hot.

    Chicken fillets with BBQ sauce in air fryer basket.

    Your air fryer BBQ chicken breast is done.

    Close up of BBQ chicken breast on a white plate.

    This BBQ chicken is delicious with a sweet smoky taste. If you enjoy duck, you will love this smoked duck too. It is a tasty main.

    Expert Tips

    1. Using chicken breasts of similar size helps in similar cooking times for them.

    2. I have used skinless boneless chicken breasts here. You can use the ones with skin or even bone-in. Bone-in chicken breasts will take more time to cook.

    3. Using a meat thermometer helps in ensuring that the chicken is cooked through without getting overcooked or dry. Internal temperature of chicken must be above 165F.

    4. Chicken breast is lean and has hardly any fat. So be mindful of checking that the breast is done on regular intervals.

    5. Serve BBQ chicken after resting for a few minutes. You can then cut into pieces and serve with additional sauce on the side. 

    6. This air fryer chicken is very succulent and juicy inside while having crispy edges outside. 

    7. You can vary the seasonings used. Use ready mixes like Cajun, fajita seasoning etc. as well.

    8. This recipe needs the olive oil as the chicken gets dry otherwise. 

    9. You can make your own BBQ sauce but I have used store-bought BBQ sauce.

    Storage Tips

    If you are planning to store leftovers then skip the last step of applying BBQ sauce and cooking. Cooked chicken breasts can be stored in airtight container for upto 3 days.

    You can freeze them for up to a month and then use air fryer to thaw them. 

    Here's the recipe card:

    📖 Recipe Card

    Air fryer BBQ Chicken

    Rachna Parmar
    This delicious BBQ chicken in air fryer is super quick and easy to make. It is also really tasty and low calorie.
    5 from 46 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 13 minutes mins
    Preheating time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 23 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 235 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer
    • Chef's knife

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb. Chicken breast fillets or 450 gm.
    • ½ tsp. Garlic powder
    • ¾ tsp. Chilli powder
    • ½ tsp. Paprika
    • ¼ tsp. Salt
    • ½ tsp. Pepper
    • 1 tbsp. Olive oil
    • ½ cup BBQ sauce

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    Instructions
     

    • Take about 1 lb. or around 450 gm. Chicken breast. Slice them into thin fillets of equal thickness.
    • Dry them.
    • Assemble the spices that you will use in a bowl. I assembled olive oil, chilli powder, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix them well.
    • Apply olive oil all over the chicken both front and back. Then take the spice rub and apply it generously over chicken breast.
    • Preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 5 minutes. I used a parchment paper with holes for easy cleanup but you can directly place chicken breast on air fryer basket.
    • Lay seasoned breast in one layer. You will need to do two batches in all.
    • Air fry at 360F or 180C for 6-8 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip each chicken breast.
    • Air fry again at 6-7 minutes till chicken is cooked. Don’t overcook or the chicken gets dry.
    • To check if the chicken is cooked, insert a meat thermometer in the fleshiest part of the chicken. It must reach a temp of 165F or above for chicken to be cooked through.
    • Now apply BBQ sauce on both sides of chicken breast. Air fry for 2 more minutes at 180C 0
    • Or 360F. Serve hot.
    • Your BBQ chicken is done.

    Notes

    Cut chicken breasts into even size so that they cook evenly.
    Do not overcook the chicken. Chicken breast is lean and has hardly any fat. So be mindful of checking that the breast is done on regular intervals.
    Serve BBQ chicken after resting for a few minutes. You can then cut into pieces and serve with additional sauce on the side.
    This air fryer chicken is very succulent and juicy inside while having crispy edges outside.
    You can vary the seasonings used. Use ready mixes like Cajun, fajita seasoning etc. as well.
    This recipe needs the olive oil as the chicken gets dry otherwise.
    If you are planning to store leftovers then skip the last step of applying BBQ sauce and cooking. Cooked chicken breasts can be stored in air tight container for upto 3 days. You can freeze them for up to a month and then use air fryer to thaw them.
    You can make your own BBQ sauce but I have used store-bought BBQ sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 25gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 656mgPotassium: 555mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 699IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
    Check out our Food videos Subscribe to our Food channel for recipe videos

    If you liked the recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Yuko says

      October 08, 2023 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      I loved how super simple this chicken was to make! We are gluten-free so I was happy there was no breading on this chicken.

      Reply
    2. Jennifer Osborn says

      October 08, 2023 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      Thanks this recipe turned out really well. I don’t know why, but I never think of cooking chicken in the air fryer but this barbecue chicken turned out perfectly tender and flavorful. Will be making again.

      Reply
    3. Jessa says

      October 11, 2023 at 1:30 am

      5 stars
      So yummy and also easy to make!10/10!!

      Reply
    4. Kylie says

      October 15, 2023 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      This was so easy to make! We made it and served with some white rice, was a huge hit with all the teenagers!

      Reply
    5. Kyra says

      October 18, 2023 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a "no breading" option for air fryer chicken, and found your recipe. It was easy and delicious! Hubby gobbled it down and asked when we can have it again. Since it's so easy, that will happen very soon!

      Reply
    5 from 46 votes (41 ratings without comment)

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    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

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