Airfryer BBQ Chicken Breasts are an easy, high-protein meal that’s ready in minutes and requires only simple, common ingredients. Serve this air fried BBQ chicken recipe with rice, salad, or high-protein macaroni and cheese.
This air-fried BBQ chicken breast recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, last-minute lunch, or as an excuse to use up that chicken you have sitting in the freezer. It is also great for meal preparation and complements a variety of side dishes.
Making BBQ chicken in the air fryer is easy and convenient! You can make this delicious main dish anywhere, even if you don’t have an oven.
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???? Materials and Substitutes
Chicken: I used chicken breast, but you can use chicken thighs or chicken wings instead. Please note that you may need to adjust the cooking time. Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (or chipotle powder), salt, black pepper. Olive oil: or avocado oil. BBQ sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce or make your own huckleberry BBQ sauce. Optional: liquid smoke, hot honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce.
???? How to make air fryer BBQ chicken breast
Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
Step 1: Slice thawed chicken breast into cubes (about 1.5 inches) and toss lightly with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper until fully coated.
Step 2: Arrange the diced chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, then flip. Bake for another 4 minutes.
Step 3 (Optional): In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, hot honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and liquid smoke. You can also use BBQ sauce if you prefer.
Step 4: Generously brush all sides of the chicken with the barbecue sauce mixture and grill for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is glossy and caramelized and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Pro tip: Size matters here. If the cubes are too large, it will be difficult to cook evenly, and if the cubes are too small, there is a risk that they will overcook easily. If it is uneven, you will need to remove small parts quickly.
Step 5: Remove chicken from air fryer and let stand at room temperature for 3-5 minutes. If you like, you can also thread the cubes on skewers or brush them with a little more barbecue sauce before serving.
Pro tip: Remove chicken breasts from the air fryer as soon as they are ready, as overcooking will dry them out. Do not leave the diced chicken in the basket even after turning off the heat, as residual heat may cause it to cook.
????????♀️ Frequently asked questions
Can air fryer BBQ chicken be frozen?
Yes, air fried BBQ chicken freezes pretty well if cooked properly. Rather than whole breasts or thighs, we recommend cutting them into cubes and freezing them on a tray until solid. You can then transfer it to a freezer bag or container and store it for up to 2-3 months for the best texture and flavor. You can also reheat the frozen food directly in the air fryer. If you freeze uncooked portions, wait to add the sauce until the day you plan to cook them.
Can I put wooden skewers in the air fryer?
You can, but for air fried BBQ chicken, I recommend waiting until it’s cooked through before skewering it. Doing so will help you achieve a nice caramelized edge. If you plan to cook pre-skewered barbecue chicken in the air fryer, we recommend soaking the skewers in water beforehand to prevent them from catching fire.
Why make BBQ chicken in the air fryer?
There are several good reasons to make air fried barbecue chicken. That means they’re quick to prepare and can be made anywhere you have an electrical outlet, including college dorms, campgrounds, and other places where other cooking equipment isn’t available.
????️ Service suggestions
The great thing about this recipe is that you can enjoy it in so many different ways.
Serve with dill pickle potato salad, green goddess salad, coconut rice, Mexican street corn pasta salad, and more.
You can use it to make pizza or BBQ chicken flatbread. You can also make it into a hot honey chicken sandwich, served on a brioche bun with fresh oil and vinegar slaw and zesty refrigerator dill pickles. Another great option is to use it for BBQ chicken wraps. Finally, the hot wings can be served as an appetizer with blue cheese dip.
????????????Pro Tips
Don’t overcrowd the chicken. Leave a little space between the dough to allow hot air to circulate. BBQ sauce contains sugar, so it will burn quickly in the air fryer. Be careful not to pour the sauce on the chicken too soon. To make these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts gluten-free, simply omit the Worcestershire sauce and choose GF BBQ sauce. It’s always a good idea to check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving, either by using a meat thermometer (it should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit) or by cutting the chicken in half and looking for undercooked parts. Store leftover air fried barbecue chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or microwave in 30-second increments until warm.
♨️ More easy air fryer recipes
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air fryer bbq chicken
Airfryer BBQ Chicken Breasts are high protein meals that are ready in minutes. Enjoy with macaroni and cheese, salad, etc.
method
Place the diced chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, then flip. Bake for another 4 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce, hot honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and liquid smoke. You can also use BBQ sauce if you prefer.
Generously brush all sides of the chicken with the barbecue sauce mixture and grill for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is glazed and caramelized and has an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest at room temperature for 3 to 5 minutes. If you like, you can also thread the cubes on skewers or brush them with a little more barbecue sauce before serving.
nutrition
Precautions
Size matters here! If the cubes are too large, it will be difficult to cook evenly, and if the cubes are too small, there is a risk that they will overcook easily. If it is uneven, you will need to remove small parts quickly. If you overcook the chicken breasts, they will become dry, so remove them from the fryer as soon as they are done. Do not leave the diced chicken in the basket even after turning off the heat, as residual heat may cause it to cook. Don’t overcrowd the chicken. Leave a little space between the dough to allow hot air to circulate. BBQ sauce contains sugar, so it will burn quickly in the air fryer. Be careful not to pour the sauce on the chicken too soon. To make these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts gluten-free, simply omit the Worcestershire sauce and choose GF BBQ sauce. It’s always a good idea to check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving, either by using a meat thermometer (it should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit) or by cutting the chicken in half and looking for undercooked parts. Store leftover air fried barbecue chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or microwave in 30-second increments until warm.
