No time to make BBQ chicken? No problem—the air fryer has you covered, and your chicken will be cooked in no time.

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Cooking with an air fryer offers a range of options, from versions of beloved fried dishes to simple and fast weekday dinners. These air-fried BBQ chicken breasts exemplify how you can enjoy taste and tenderness with minimal hassle. So, the next time you’re in the mood for BBQ chicken and prefer not to deal with grilling or using the oven, rely on your reliable air fryer. It’s a game-changer in the kitchen.
The air fryer circulates air to create a crispy exterior when needed while preserving the tenderness inside, making the juiciest BBQ chicken. Another advantage of the air fryer is its convenience. No more waiting for an oven to preheat or dealing with mess on the stove. The air fryer is compact, simple to clean, and cooks food swiftly, making it ideal for laid-back weeknight or weekend dinners.
What better dish to try in the air fryer than barbecued chicken? With summer upon us, barbecue chicken is an American icon in backyards and at the kitchen table. With your air fryer, there’s no need to stand out in the hot sun to get that yummy barbecue flavor.
BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika mingle to create a culinary delight with flavors that dance on the tongue. One of my favorite things in life is sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. When you plaster it on chicken breasts that can cook quickly in the air fryer, it’s no wonder that air fryer barbecued chicken has become a staple in my weekly menu.
Is Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast Healthy?
Air-fried BBQ chicken is a better option than fried chicken, mainly because of how it is cooked and the ingredients chosen. It’s also a better choice than grilling barbecue chicken with the skin on, which is one of the most common ways people barbecue chicken. You cut the fat by using a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Plus, air fryers use much less oil than deep frying, leading to lower calorie and fat levels, which make it ideal for those mindful of their weight or cholesterol.
Also, did you know that air-frying retains nutrients in foods? Due to high heat and long cooking times, the longer food is cooked, the more vitamins and minerals are lost. Air frying cooks quickly, retaining those essential nutrients. One of the best things about air-fryer barbecue chicken breasts is that they can serve a variety of diets, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb diets, such as the keto diet. Chicken breasts are high in protein, a low-fat cut of meat, and beneficial for strong and healthy muscles.
Why pound the chicken breasts?
Pounding the chicken breasts flat before coating them and cooking them does more than relieve aggression (though that is a perk). It creates uniformed chicken breasts so they are all the same size and don’t cook with a thick middle and thin ends as many breasts have. Once uniform and thin, they cook quickly and evenly and yield juicy results.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Olive oil or oil spray for coating
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce

INSTRUCTIONS
Season
Prepare and apply spice rub to the chicken.
Cook
Air fry chicken, flipping halfway through.
Glaze
Finish with BBQ sauce and rest before serving.
Devour!

FAQs & Tips
Put the leftover chicken breasts in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can then store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place them inside an airtight container or food-safe storage bag, and freeze the leftover chicken for up to three months.
Yes, you can certainly use other parts of the chicken, such as chicken thighs or drumsticks. Keep in mind that those cuts of chicken will require different cooking times. Read the instructions on your air fryer to ensure you cook the chicken thoroughly when using other cuts. Also, if you choose to use chicken with the skin on, it will increase the fat content.
For this recipe, we didn’t include any additional sugar, so that it’s a healthier option for barbecue chicken. However, if you like your barbecue on the sweeter side, add a couple of tablespoons of raw honey to the barbecue sauce before coating the chicken. This should sweeten it up nicely and still be a better option than sugar.

Serving Suggestions
Let’s hear it for all the fantastic sides that go perfectly with barbecued chicken! Homemade macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob dripping with butter, and potato salad are the first things that may come to mind when considering this classic all-American dish. I also love a good macaroni salad when eating BBQ chicken in the summer.
It’s a good idea to make some extra barbecue sauce on the side for those who want to dip each bite of chicken. Some other fan-favorite sides to eat alongside this scrumptious dish are cucumber salad, garlic-roasted cauliflower, and roasted vegetables.


Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1½– 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Olive oil or oil spray for coating
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
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Combine paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt in a small bowl. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness, pat dry, and coat with olive oil. Apply the spice mixture to both sides of the chicken, pressing gently to adhere.
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Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Lightly oil the air fryer basket and place the chicken breasts presentation side down. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches about 160°F, approximately 8–10 minutes more.
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Generously brush the BBQ sauce over the chicken and return to the air fryer for 1–2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
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