Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is juicy, flavorful and there’s no grill required! It takes just 5 minutes of prep and cooks up in about 20 minutes so it’s great for busy weeknights and meal prep. Recipe includes cooking times for chicken breast, legs, thighs and wings!
It’s not summer without bbq chicken. Grilled bbq chicken has been a summertime staple for me for as long as I can remember, but sometimes it’s so hot outside that I don’t want to slave over a hot grill.
I created this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken specifically for days like that, but it’s also extremely convenient for people that aren’t comfortable grilling or simply want an easier option.
The air fryer always makes my life easier, and the results always amaze me. My air fryer chicken breast is so golden brown and juicy that I decided to make bbq chicken in the air fryer too.
I’m extremely happy with the results, and I get to stay in the comforts of my air conditioned home.
You can’t ask for more than that. 🙂
If you love your air fryer, be sure to check out my collection of easy Air Fryer Recipes. They’re perfect for beginners!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- BBQ chicken in the air fryer is tender, juicy and there’s no need to fire up the grill!
- It takes minimal prep and it’s ready in about 25 minutes.
- This is an easy, versatile recipe that can be used for your favorite cut of chicken.
- It’s great for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Recipe ingredients
There are just a few ingredients in this recipe, and they can be customized with your favorite cut(s) of chicken, seasoning and barbecue sauce.
Ingredient notes:
- Chicken. This recipe calls for 1 lb. of boneless skinless chicken breast, or about (2) 8 ounce chicken breasts. Pound them to even thickness for more even cooking. Skin on, bone in chicken breast may be used, but the cooking time will be longer. See the recipe notes below for instructions to use chicken legs, thighs or wings.
- Seasoning. This air fryer bbq chicken includes a simple spice blend to add additional depth of flavor. You can simply season it with salt and pepper if you prefer, or use my bbq chicken rub or your favorite seasoning.
- BBQ sauce. This recipe works great with my bourbon bbq sauce or your favorite store bought brand.
How to make bbq chicken in air fryer
Making bbq chicken in the air fryer is so quick and easy, and it’s a great alternative if you’re not comfortable using a grill or if it’s so hot outside that you’d rather cook indoors!
This recipe covers air fryer bbq chicken breasts, but it also includes instructions for legs, thighs and wings below.
Air fryer bbq chicken breast
Pro tip: Allow the chicken breasts to come to room temperature prior to cooking. Pound the chicken out to even thickness as needed to ensure that they cook evenly.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Combine the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Brush the chicken with oil on both sides.
- Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken and place in the air fryer.
- Air fry the chicken breasts at 380 degrees in a single layer for 8 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 160 degrees.
- Brush the chicken with bbq sauce on both sides.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Air fryer bbq chicken thighs and legs
If you prefer chicken thighs or chicken legs over breast, follow the instructions below.
- Season as instructed. Cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook 8-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Brush with bbq sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
Air fryer bbq chicken wings
If you love bbq chicken wings, follow the instructions as outlined for my air fryer chicken wings. Cook until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees, then brush with bbq sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
FAQs
You can create barbecued meals in the air fryer with ease. This air fryer bbq chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, with a flavorful homemade bbq sauce.
This is a great option if you’re not comfortable grilling or if it’s too hot to cook outdoors, and it’s even quicker and easier. It takes 5 minutes of prep, it cooks up in 20 minutes and there’s no preheating necessary.
It’s completely fine to put bbq sauce (or any sauce) in the air fryer. Simply brush bbq sauce over chicken breast when it reaches 160 degrees and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Store air fryer bbq chicken in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to serve up this air fryer bbq chicken as outlined below.
- Serve with a side of air fryer corn on the cob, broccoli salad with bacon or vinegar coleslaw for your next barbecue.
- It’s great with air fryer sweet potato fries, roasted sweet potatoes or stove top mac and cheese.
- Serve atop Santa fe chicken salad with a side of honey cornbread muffins.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Allow the chicken breasts to come to room temperature prior to cooking, and make sure that they are the same thickness for even cooking.
- All air fryers vary, so treat the cooking time listed as a guide. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
- Change things up with my bbq chicken rub, your favorite seasonings or store bought bbq sauce.
- Cooking time for air fryer bbq chicken legs and thighs. Season as instructed. Cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook 8-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Brush with bbq sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
- Cooking time for air fryer bbq chicken wings. Follow the instructions as outlined for air fryer chicken wings. Cook until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees, then brush with sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love:
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Air fryer fried chicken by The Recipe Critic
- Air fryer hamburgers
- Air fryer jalapeño poppers
- Air fryer meatballs
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer potato skins
- Air fryer salmon
- Air fryer shrimp
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (2) 8 ounce chicken breasts; see notes for other cuts of chicken
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or your favorite oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
- 1/3 cup bbq sauce use up to 1/2 cup for extra saucy bbq chicken
Instructions
- If the chicken breasts are quite large, place in a zip top bag and pound to uniform thickness, or butterfly the chicken by cutting it in half lengthwise to make 2 pieces. Pat the chicken dry, then brush evenly with the oil.1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the chicken.1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Air fry the chicken breasts at 380 degrees in a single layer for 8 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 160 degrees, around 7-10 minutes more depending on the size and thickness. Brush the chicken with bbq sauce on both sides and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.1/3 cup bbq sauce
- Place the chicken on a plate, cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip:Â Allow the chicken breasts to come to room temperature prior to cooking, and make sure that they are the same thickness for even cooking.Â
- All air fryers vary, so treat the cooking time listed as a guide. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
- Change things up with my bbq chicken rub, your favorite seasonings or store bought bbq sauce.
- Cooking time for air fryer bbq chicken legs and thighs. Season as instructed. Cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook 8-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Brush with bbq sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
- Cooking time for air fryer bbq chicken wings. Follow the instructions as outlined for air fryer chicken wings. Cook until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees, then brush with sauce and cook 2-3 minutes more or until internal temperature is 175 degrees.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
