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close up shot of sliced bbq chicken breast made in the air fryer topped with parsley.
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Juicy and Delicious BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer Recipe

Juicy and flavorful air fryer bbq chicken that is easy to make and perfect to eat as your favorite barbecue main dish or in a salad! Simple ingredients and done in just 25 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 281kcal
Author Lyndsey

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast approximately 4 chicken breasts
  • ½ cup bbq sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Start by trimming your chicken breast of excess fat and cutting into equal-sized pieces. Spray your chicken with cooking spray and then rub in an ample amount of BBQ rub on the chicken. I generally spray the basket with coconut oil spray as well.
    1 pound chicken breast, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Air fry at 360F for 8 minutes then check the temperature.  If necessary, flip and cook up to 5 minutes more or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165F.
  • Coat chicken with ¼ cup BBQ sauce or more, according to your liking. If you want a bit of crisp on the sauce, you can return the chicken to the basket for 1-2 minutes of air frying but no more to ensure it does not burn.
    ½ cup bbq sauce

Notes

  • Ensure pieces are pounded to an equal thickness or cut/butterflied to ensure they are consistent in size. This will ensure that chicken cooks through evenly.
  • Make Ahead: Recipe can be made ahead through the seasoning stage and stored in an airtight container for a day ahead in the refrigerator.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating: Reheat for 3-5 minutes at 360F or until heated through.
  • Freezer Instructions: Make straight from frozen by adding a few minutes per side during air frying and ensure meat is cooked to 165F in the thickest section. To store frozen, follow recipe through seasoning and then store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Variations: Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar for a sweeter taste. For a hot and spicy version add in 1 tablespoon hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your liking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.6g | Protein: 26.5g | Fat: 3.4g