Air fryer BBQ chicken breast is rubbed with an easy seasoning blend and slathered in BBQ sauce to make a juicy, delicious meal. This BBQ chicken can be cooked in less than 20 minutes in the air fryer. Serve it with your favorite side dish or on a salad or sandwich.
Chicken is a staple in our house and lately I have been cooking it primarily in the air fryer. There are so many ways to season it, the chicken cooks fast and always comes our tender and juicy.
BBQ chicken in the air fryer is one of our favorites. No need to heat up the grill or oven, just add the chicken right in the air fryer. This chicken is great as a main dish and also perfect to use for meal prep. I like to make a few extra chicken breasts to use throughout the week on salads or in meal prep bowls.
Ingredients needed
Chicken breasts – I like using chicken cutlets because they cook faster but all you need are boneless, skinless breasts. If you have thicker cuts of chicken, try pounding them thinner so they cook evenly.
Paprika – Paprika adds a slightly sweet and smoky flavor along with a beautiful red color.
Garlic powder – Adds a hint of garlic flavor.
Brown sugar – Balances out the salt with a little sweet.
Salt and pepper – The terrific two of most seasoning blends.
BBQ sauce – Use your favorite store bought or homemade BBQ sauce. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s for this recipe.
Olive oil – Used to spray the basket to help prevent sticking. Feel free to substitute with your preferred oil.
How to make
You can find the full ingredients, directions and video below.
- Stir together paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Sprinkle of chicken breasts and rub the seasoning all over the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. I like using an oil mister. Do not use aerosol spray like Pam because it could damage the basket.
- Place chicken in the basket. Do not overlap.
- Cook at 380 degrees for 7 minutes, flip and cook another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Since chicken breasts vary in size, the cook time might vary.
- Brush BBQ sauce over chicken and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm up the sauce.
- Let chicken rest for 4-5 minutes before slicing.
Recipe tips
If your chicken is thick, I recommend pounding them to a more even thickness so that they cook evenly. Also note that if you have thicker chicken, it might require a few extra minutes of cook time.
Don’t forget to spray the basket with olive oil. I like using this mister. Be sure not to use aerosol spray because it could damage the fryer basket.
I can typically fit 2-4 chicken breasts in my air fryer depending on size. Try not to overlap or stack them so that they cook evenly.
Make sure to cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
What to serve with BBQ chicken
How to store leftovers
Place leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Make sure they have completely cooled before storing. The chicken will last for 3-4 days.
More air fryer chicken recipes
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Air fryer rotisserie chicken
- Air fryer chicken strips
- Air fryer chicken breasts
- Air fryer chicken thighs
Make this air fryer chicken? Let me know how it turned out in the comments.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Stir together paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Sprinkle of chicken breasts and rub the seasoning all over the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. I like using an oil mister. Do not use aerosol spray like Pam because it could damage the basket.
- Place chicken in the basket. Do not overlap.
- Cook at 380 degrees for 7 minutes, flip and cook another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Since chicken breasts vary in size, the cook time might vary.
- Brush chicken with BBQ sauce and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm up the sauce.
- Let chicken rest 4-5 minutes before slicing.
Everyone loved it! I cooked 10 pieces of chicken thighs in the Air Fryer; 5 on bottom & 5 on upper rack. I needed to cook longer than this recipe called for but I did have more.
Loved making this for my family to ight! I even made the pea salad to go with as a side. Both were big hits with everyone!
I make this at least once a week now! It tastes so good and like it came off the grill. Love this recipe and so does my whole family.
Started using an air fryer. I saved your recipe for barbecue chicken on Pinterest and finally decided to take a stab at it. It was terrific and I’m going to continually make it. Thank you!
I love easy and delicious dishes! My family goes crazy over fried chicken breast!
that chicken looks so amazing! now i’m craving some
I would totally love to make this! BBQ chicken is such an awesome recipe.
I haven’t tried an air fryer yet, but it sounds so convenient. This recipe seems like a great combination of flavors. Air fryers are so versatile!
I haven’t used my air fryer in a long time. I need to bust it out for this!
This looks really good! I don’t have an air fryer (yet) but whenever I see a recipe like this, I really wish I had one.
These look really good. I love using my air fryer. I’ll have to try this out next. Looks like it would taste delicious.
Oh wow, what a delicious dish. I’d love to give this a try. I do love BBQ chicken. It’s great for a family meal.
I love this! It looks really good and now I wanna try this at home!
Seems so good.. yum! It will be perfect with white rice.
I have been getting into BBQ recently and this looks amazing!! I’ll be trying this soon!
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast is making me hungry! I will definitely have this for meal today. My family will surely enjoy.
That looks delicious! I have air fried a whole chicken, this looks even more tasty! Thanks for the info!
Oh yum, this looks so delicious! I just ned to get an air fryer now.
My son loves chicke breast but i only make it stir fried or grilled. I have an air fryer so i have to try this method and BBQ.