Easy, Healthy, and Delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Will be a New Weeknight Standard in your Rotation!
While I love a piece of barbeque chicken hot off the outdoor grill, sometimes that’s not practical. Whether it’s a weeknight and I’m multitasking while cooking dinner, or it’s crummy weather outside, and cooking indoors is just easier, Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is the answer. I used to bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts and baste them while they were baking with bottled barbeque sauce, but I was always underwhelmed with the results. The chicken never crisped up much on the outside. Plus, it was just too easy to over-bake the inside, leaving a sad, dried-out piece of chicken. Nobody wants that!
Originally invented by the Dutch inventor Fred van der Weij, the air fryer hit the market in 2010. Van der Weij had been trying to come up with a cooking appliance to make healthy food that was delicious. The air fryer doesn’t actually fry the food, but it mimics the process of deep frying without the fat. Boneless, skinless chicken breast, which is naturally low in fat, turns out beautifully in the air fryer. Adding barbeque sauce and seasonings gives the chicken a flavor boost and the perfect outside texture.
You will love Air Fryer BBQ Chicken because it is easy enough for a busy weeknight but still delicious and healthy. Despite the simple prep and cooking process, you get a juicy piece of chicken that is great on its own or chopped up on top of a salad. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is perfect for families, as you can adjust the seasonings or use your family’s favorite sauce. Bonus: when you’re done cooking, the clean-up is a breeze.
Prepping Chicken Breasts
For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken, you don’t have to do much to the prepackaged boneless, skinless chicken breasts. But you do want to make sure they’re of relatively the same thickness. The ideal thickness for this recipe is around 1/2 inch. If you need to trim the ends of the breasts that are too thin, slice those off before seasoning. If one or two in the package are thicker or bigger than the others, use either a meat mallet or a wooden rolling pin to pound them into even thicknesses (put the meat into a plastic baggie first). This extra step will ensure even cooking.
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store?
To simplify your week ahead, consider making Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts in advance. Simply make them as directed and let them cool. Store in an airtight container—in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month. To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 375F and heat them for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Watch carefully to make sure the sauce doesn’t burn.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs instead of Chicken Breasts?
If you prefer dark meat to white meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of the breasts. Prepare the exact same way, but increase the cooking time in Step 5 to 15 minutes on the first side, and then flip and cook for 10 minutes. Always check with a meat thermometer to make sure the inside temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit while still in the air fryer.
Tip: Use Olive Oil Spray or Parchment Paper
If you want to reduce any sticking in Step 6, spray the surface of your air fryer with olive oil spray while it preheats. Alternatively, you can place a piece of parchment paper down before inserting the chicken pieces, but the parchment paper will reduce the charring as the chicken cooks. Make sure to cut the parchment slightly smaller than the basket size to promote airflow and prevent loose paper from moving while the chicken cooks. Olive oil spray is the easiest, best way to prevent a lot of mess and sticking inside your air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
If you are serving Air Fryer BBQ Chicken on its own, try pairing it with Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes and a steamed green veggie. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is also delicious with this weeknight classic, Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese. Finally, if you want to keep things really healthy (and low-carb!), chop up the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken and serve it atop an entrée salad like Kansas Chopped Salad. The leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day as well!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and rub the spice mixture all over each piece.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Brush BBQ sauce over the chicken breasts and cook for 2 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
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