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.
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.
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Why This BBQ Chicken is Super Easy and Delicious
1. This recipe needs no marination or breading. It is very newbie friendly.
2. Chicken breasts are thinly sliced and rubbed with oil and seasonings. They are then cooked in air fryer.
Finally brushed with BBQ sauce and cooked some more.
3. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Pair with potato wedges, French fries or veg pulao, it is perfect.
4. This recipe is low carb and keto.
5. It is a hit with the kids. Definitely a favorite of my teen.
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.
Substitutions and Variations
1. You can use bone-in and with skin chicken breasts in the recipe too.
Chicken tenders can be used as well.
2. This recipe is dairy free and egg free as well.
3. Feel free to use spice mix of your choice. If you like more heat, add more cayenne.
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.
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.
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 or 360F. Serve hot.
Your air fryer BBQ chicken breast is done.
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.
Serving Suggestions
1. With Pasta: I love serving sliced BBQ chicken breast with pasta on the side. Makes a complete meal.
2. Salad: Sliced BBQ chicken goes really well with a garden salad.
3. Meal: Serve this as a chicken main along with roasted vegetables for a low-carb high-protein meal.
4. Pair with fries: Try this chicken with some air fryer sweet potato fries and a delicious coleslaw. It is yum!
FAQs
Yes, you can easily use chicken thighs for this recipe. It may take longer depending upon the the thickness of the thighs. Rest of the recipe will remain the same.
Yes, you can. But you will need to thaw it first before using.
Yes, any sauce works. Try Hot sauce, Sriracha, Honey Mustard or any sauce you like for finishing the chicken breast.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer BBQ Chicken
Equipment
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
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
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
If you liked the recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.
Yuko says
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.
Jennifer Osborn says
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.
Jessa says
So yummy and also easy to make!10/10!!
Kylie says
This was so easy to make! We made it and served with some white rice, was a huge hit with all the teenagers!
Kyra says
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!