This air fryer BBQ chicken breast recipe takes the sweet and tangy classic to the next level. First, the chicken is seasoned and air-fried until tender and juicy. Then, it's slathered with BBQ sauce and air-fried again until caramelized. It's a quick and easy weeknight dinner your family will love.
I'm a big fan of easy chicken recipes, especially air fryer chicken. It's such a versatile protein, and it's also the most affordable. That's the perfect combination, especially these days.
I love making everything from Mexican-themed crispy chicken tacos for Taco Tuesday to Marry Me chicken dip for an unexpected weeknight dinner or parties. There's just so much you can do with chicken!
My newest recipe combines the mild flavor and meaty texture of boneless chicken breasts with the sweet and tangy flavor of BBQ sauce and the convenience of the air fryer to create a delicious air fryer BBQ chicken breast recipe that's loaded with flavor, not work, or expense.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Limited Ingredients: It only takes a handful of ingredients to make these BBQ chicken breasts.
- Easy: All you have to do is mix some seasonings and fire up your air fryer. It's that easy!
- So Flavorful: The air fryer ensures the chicken is tender and juicy on the inside, with the perfect caramelized exterior.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust this BBQ chicken recipe to make it your own.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a double batch and save some for later. This is a freezer-friendly recipe.
- Kid-Friendly: Most kids love chicken and BBQ sauce, so this barbecue chicken is definitely a kid-friendly dish.
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Ingredients
I recommend using Springer Mountain Farms boneless skinless chicken breasts if you can find them. They never use antibiotics or add hormones, and their feed is free of animal by-products.
You can find a complete list of the ingredients and their amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Variations
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: I used chicken breasts, but you can also use chicken thighs in this recipe.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a kick of heat.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand and variety of BBQ sauce. They all bring their own unique flavor to the dish.
- Seasonings: Play with your favorite seasonings to create different versions of this recipe. Seasonings like Italian seasoning, sage, and onion powder are all good places to start.
- Add it to Other Dishes: Cube the chicken and incorporate it into other recipes, such as shrimp and chicken fried rice, for a fun BBQ twist.
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Step 1: Mix the seasonings and olive oil into a paste and coat both sides of the boneless chicken breasts.
Step 2: Place the breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 370 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Step 3: Spread barbecue sauce on the chicken breasts and air fry them again until the exterior is caramelized.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- I recommend preheating your air fryer for even cooking and accurate cooking times. It only takes about five minutes, so there's no reason not to.
- When rinsing your chicken, place it in a colander in the bottom of the sink and use a gentle stream of water. This helps prevent splashing and the spread of bacteria. Wash your sink and counters immediately after rinsing your chicken.
- I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- When air-frying the chicken for the second time, check it after a minute or two to ensure it's caramelized but not burned. It's easy to go too far accidentally!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast FAQ
Cook seasoned chicken breasts at 370°F until their internal temperature reaches 160°F. Then, brush them with BBQ sauce and air-fry for an additional 2 minutes, or until caramelized.
Yes, you can! As long as you brush the sauce on in an even, thin layer, it should work out just fine. Unlike oil, BBQ sauce is thick, and a thin layer won't make a mess in your air fryer.
Depending on their size, boneless chicken breasts should take between 10 and 14 minutes.
The key to juicy air-fried chicken breasts is a rub. Apply a paste of olive oil and seasonings to the chicken breasts before air frying. This helps lock in moisture and adds flavor as the breasts cook.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Video
Ingredients
- 5 Springer Mountain Farms chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees.
- Mix the seasonings in a small bowl. Then, add the olive oil and mix until a paste is formed. Rub the mixture evenly onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Place the chicken top side down in the air fryer basket. Then, cook at 370 degrees for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for four more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Remove the chicken breasts and brush them with BBQ sauce. Then, air fry for an additional minute or two until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Wrap individual breasts in plastic wrap and freeze them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- To reheat the chicken, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Then, microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through.
- I recommend preheating your air fryer for even cooking and accurate cooking times. It only takes about five minutes, so there's no reason not to.
- When rinsing your chicken, place it in a colander in the bottom of the sink and use a gentle stream of water. This helps prevent splashing and the spread of bacteria. Wash your sink and counters immediately after rinsing your chicken.
- I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- When air-frying the chicken for the second time, check it after a minute or two to ensure it's caramelized but not burned. It's easy to go too far accidentally!
Greta says
Loved it!
Lathiya says
My family enjoyed this air fryer chicken. I served it some corn salad.
Swathi says
This Air fryer bbq chicken breast so good, so juicy and tender, my kids and husbnad loved it.
Bev says
This chicken was delicious! The 2 step air-frying process makes all the difference! Love that its easy, too!
Nicole Kendrick says
SO happy that you enjoyed it!
Greta says
This was a tender and super juicy chicken I will do more often. We all loved it! Can't believe it was made with air fryer!
Maggie says
My husband and I loved this! New go to weeknight dinner!