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Looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful chicken recipe? This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast is tender, juicy, and packed with smoky BBQ flavor. Plus, it’s all ready in under 20 minutes! It’s the perfect go-to for busy weeknights, easy meal prep, or when you want a high-protein, low-effort dinner that still feels homemade and satisfying.
We make this BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer all the time! Ella and I love how easy it is, no need to heat the oven or stand over a grill. Just season the chicken, air fry, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce, and dinner is done. It’s one of our favorite easy air fryer chicken breast recipes because it’s so versatile and comes out perfectly juicy every time.
We love using our cherry chipotle BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor or our smoky BBQ sauce for that classic flavor. Either one makes this air fryer BBQ chicken absolutely delicious. Serve it with coleslaw, corn on the cob, or roasted veggies, or slice it up and add it to salads, wraps, or bowls.
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions & Variations
- How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
- How Long To Cook BBQ Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
- Serving Suggestions
- Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
- AIR FRYER BBQ CHICKEN BREAST Recipe
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients. Plus, it’s ready in about 20 minutes!
- High-Protein: This air fryer BBQ chicken is a delicious, protein-packed option.
- Versatile: You can serve this BBQ chicken on its own, sliced in salads or wraps, or served with your favorite sides.
- Flavorful: Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned to perfection with a simple spice blend and coated in BBQ sauce for maximum flavor in every bite. For another delicious recipe, try our slow cooker BBQ chicken!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breasts: Use two boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, about 6-8 ounces each. The chicken breasts will be sliced in half to create cutlets for even cooking.
- Olive Oil: Just a teaspoon of olive oil to coat the chicken breasts so the seasoning blend sticks before air frying.
- Seasonings: Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for the ultimate flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Once cooked, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- The Best BBQ Sauce Options: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce for this recipe. Or, make it extra special with our homemade cherry chipotle BBQ sauce for a perfect sweet and smoky kick, or try our smoky BBQ sauce for a classic flavor.
- Use Chicken Thighs: You can swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They’re naturally juicier and more flavorful. Just ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving. Or, try our air fryer chicken thighs recipe!
- Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free or low-sugar BBQ sauce. Or, use a sugar-free sweetener in our homemade BBQ sauce recipes.
How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Step 2: Prepare the chicken breasts by cutting each in half horizontally to create cutlets for even cooking. Alternatively, you can pound them to an even thickness if you prefer.
Step 3: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the seasonings stick. Transfer the chicken cutlets to a large bowl.
Step 4: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub to coat evenly. Evenly season both sides of the chicken with the seasoning mixture.
Step 5: Place a parchment paper liner in your air fryer basket for easy clean-up. Then, place the seasoned chicken into the basket, smooth side down.
Air fry for 7-8 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for another 5-6 minutes.
Step 6: Generously brush the chicken with BBQ sauce, then air fry for another 1-2 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce is warm and slightly caramelized.
Step 7: Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
How Long To Cook BBQ Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
Cook the air fryer BBQ chicken breast cutlets at 375°F for 7-8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes on the other side. After brushing the BBQ sauce on the chicken, cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The cook time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Ensure they are fully cooked before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This BBQ chicken is so versatile! You can slice or shred it to enjoy it however you like. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:
- Classic Sides: With classic sides like coleslaw, potato salad, or BBQ baked beans.
- Air Fryer Sides: Paired with air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer sweet potato wedges, delicious air fryer diced potatoes, crispy air fryer green beans, or air fryer carrots.
- Salads: Alongside broccoli salad, fresh corn salad, Italian pasta salad, or chicken pesto pasta salad.
- Serve With: On top of a big BBQ chicken salad or tossed into wraps, bowls, sliders, tacos, or sandwiches.
- Cornbread: Served with our Jiffy corn casserole or single-serving cornbread recipe for a comforting touch.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Pound or Cut the Chicken: I usually just cut the chicken breasts in half because it’s fast, effortless, and works great! Or, if you prefer, you can pound them to an even thickness. Either way helps them cook more evenly in the air fryer, so you don’t end up with one side overcooked and the other underdone.
- BBQ Sauce Tip: It’s important to add the BBQ sauce at the end so it doesn’t burn. If you put it on too early, the sauce can burn before the chicken is fully cooked.
- Let it Rest: Make sure to let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This helps keep the juices locked in so your chicken stays tender and moist.
Storage Instructions
You can store leftover air fryer BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of BBQ Sauce Should I Use?
We love our smoky BBQ sauce or cherry chipotle BBQ sauce, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade option!
Do You Put BBQ Sauce on Chicken Before or After Cooking?
For this recipe, add the BBQ sauce toward the end of cooking, then cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, to let the sauce caramelize. It’s important to add it towards the end so it doesn’t burn or dry out.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
AIR FRYER BBQ CHICKEN BREAST
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the chicken breasts by cutting each in half horizontally to create cutlets for even cooking. Alternatively, you can pound them to an even thickness if you prefer. Either method helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the seasonings stick. Transfer the chicken cutlets to a large bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub to coat evenly. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place a parchment paper liner in your air fryer basket for easy clean-up. Then, place the seasoned chicken into the basket, smooth side down. Air fry at 375°F for 7-8 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for another 5-6 minutes on the other side.
- Generously brush the chicken with BBQ sauce, then air fry for another 1-2 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce is warm and slightly caramelized.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving to keep it juicy.
Video
Notes
- BBQ Sauce Options: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce for this recipe. Or, make it with our homemade cherry chipotle BBQ sauce for a perfect sweet and smoky kick, or try our smoky BBQ sauce for a classic flavor.
- BBQ Sauce Tip: It’s important to add the BBQ sauce at the end so it doesn’t burn. If you put it on too early, the sauce can burn before the chicken is fully cooked.
- Storage: You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love how juicy and flavorful this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken turns out every time! It’s an easy, healthier way to enjoy BBQ at home, quick, delicious, and perfect for any night of the week.