Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

This Air Fryer BBQ chicken recipe has quickly become a family favorite. The chicken cooks in 10 minutes and delivers tender, juicy, perfectly delicious chicken, every time.

Ingredients

For the BBQ sauce: 

I like making my own BBQ sauce because it only takes a few minutes and uses pantry staples like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and spices. However, feel free to use your favorite store-bought bbq sauce instead.

  • Tomato ketchup.
  • Worcestershire sauce. 
  • Cider vinegar / Balsamic vinegar.
  • Honey. Brown sugar can be substituted.
  • Salt and black pepper.

For the air fryer barbecue chicken

  • Chicken breasts. I used skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Bone-in in chicken like thighs, chicken drumsticks, etc. can also be used but will require longer cooking time.
  • Smoked paprika. 
  • Garlic powder.
  • Onion powder. 
  • Cayenne pepper. 
  • Salt and black pepper.

Air fryer BBQ chicken

How to make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Place the chicken on a chopping board then cover with parchment paper and flatten out with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Combine the seasonings then sprinkle over the chicken, on both sides. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Mix all the BBQ sauce ingredients together in a small bowl then brush liberally over the chicken. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes, flipping over half way basting with the remaining sauce. Air fry until caramelized and just cooked through then remove from the air fryer, allow to rest for 5 minutes and serve.

Can I make this ahead?

The chicken can be seasoned the day ahead of cooking and kept covered in the fridge. The bbq sauce can be made and kept in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

What to serve with BBQ chicken

This air fryer chicken recipe makes a delicious easy dinner served with side dishes like salads, corn on the cob or potatoes.

  1. Easy Greek Orzo Salad
  2. Grilled Corn on the cob with hot honey butter

Chicken breasts with dry rub.

Air fryer recipes

  1. Lemon Rosemary Air fryer chicken thighs 
  2. Easy Airfryer Chicken Breast

I always use my Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer when developing air fryer recipes. It is by far the most efficient air fryer I’ve used and the basket size is excellent for a family of 4. I am partnered with Instant Pot South Africa.

Air fryer BBQ chicken

Air fryer BBQ chicken

Making Air Fryer BBQ chicken is super easy and delivers tender, juicy and perfectly delicious chicken in 10 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BBQ Chicken, BBQ chicken breast, BBQ chicken recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Alida Ryder
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the BBQ sauce

  • ¾ cup tomato ketchup
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

For the chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts skinless, boneless
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine the BBQ sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Combine the seasonings for the chicken then dust the chicken on both sides with the spice mixture, making sure the chicken is completely covered.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
  • Place the chicken in the air fryer basket then brush with the bbq sauce. Place in the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping over half way and basting with the remaining bbq sauce.
  • Cook until caramelized and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the heat and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1873mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 771IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg