This juicy air fryer barbecue chicken is easier and faster than grilling—no dry chicken here! Made with simple ingredients and your favorite barbecue sauce, this air fryer recipe delivers smoky, caramelized flavor in just 30 minutes. The perfect weeknight dinner!
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Why You Will Love Our Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
If you love BBQ chicken but don’t want the hassle of firing up the grill, you’re going to love this air fryer recipe! It delivers juicy, tender chicken with a smoky-sweet crust—without the risk of drying out on the grill. And here’s my secret to making it even better: a tiny bit of baking soda! This optional ingredient helps crisp up the edges, giving you that grilled-like texture while keeping the inside perfectly moist.
And the best part? You can use your favorite barbecue sauce or whip up my quick homemade version with just a few pantry staples. The key to deep, caramelized flavor is brushing on the sauce in layers at just the right time—it’s a simple trick that makes all the difference!
Success Tips for the Juiciest BBQ Chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning—this helps the spices stick and prevents excess moisture.
- Add baking soda to the dry rub on the chicken for an extra crispy finish.
- Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and the best sear.
- Brush on BBQ sauce in layers—one light coat before cooking, then another in the last few minutes for that sticky, caramelized finish.
- Check the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer—165°F is the magic number for juicy perfection.
Skip the grill and make BBQ chicken the easy way—juicier, faster, and with the perfect crispy bite. Ready to learn my secret? Let’s get cooking! And be sure to check out all of my air fryer recipes.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
- Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are fairly even thickness.
- Spices: For the dry rub use smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder along with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Baking powder: Baking powder is an optional ingredient, but trust me, it’s worth it! Adding it to the dry rub makes the air-fried chicken extra crispy!
Optional BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Ketchup: I like using organic ketchup for my recipes and dipping.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives the BBQ sauce it’s classic tang, I like Bragg’s ACV
- Sweetener: I used Brown Sugar and honey; you may also use maple syrup or sugar substitutes for sugar-free, low-carb barbecue sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce + Liquid Smoke: Liquid smoke is optional, but adds classic smokey flavor and taste to the sauce.
- Spices: Smoked paprika (regular or hot), Dry ground Mustard, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Onion Flakes, Salt and Pepper
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
Step 1 – Prep and mix dry rub
Preheat your air fryer to 360° F (182° C) and let it preheat for five to ten minutes. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, pepper, and kosher salt.
Fresh Tips
- Bringing the chicken to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking is best. Even better, pat the chicken dry, season it with the spice mix, then wrap it lightly in a paper towel to sit for half an hour before starting the rest of the recipe.
Step 2 | Make the BBQ Sauce
To make this easy homemade barbecue sauce, add all the ingredients to a saucepan, stir, and bring them to a simmer on medium-low heat.
Reduce the temperature to low heat, simmering for another eight to ten minutes until the sauce is nice and thick. When the chicken is out of the air fryer, brush it with the BBQ sauce, applying a generous coating.
Step 3 | Prepare the chicken
Next, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and slice or pound them to even thickness for best results.
Then, spray or rub the chicken with oil or olive oil and rub on spices, gently applying pressure to make it stick, including the sides of the chicken. Repeat on the other side.
Fresh Tip
- Add the rub and chicken to a large sealed bag and shake to coat all sides of the breasts.
Step 4 | Air fry
Spritz the air fryer basket with a non-aerosol cooking spray oil (do not us a non-stick spray like Pam, this will ruin your air fryer).
Place the chicken breasts smooth side down in the basket. Close the fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken and continuing to cook for another eight to ten minutes. During the last 2-3 minutes of air frying, brush on BBQ sauce and cook until carmelized.
Fresh Tip
- Do not add the barbecue sauce at the beginning or you will have burned on barbeque sauce, just add during last few minutes of cooking.
The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F — use a meat thermometer, though I usually take it out at about 163° F as it rests it will continue cooking.
After adding the BBQ sauce, return the chicken to the air fryer for 1-3 minutes. Remove the BBQ chicken breasts and let them rest for five minutes, covered with foil. Then, slice, serve, garnish with sliced green onions, and enjoy with your favorite side dishes!
Fresh Tips
- Adjust your cooking time according to the size of the chicken breasts. For larger breasts, butterfly it, or pound it to make it thinner. If you have smaller pieces, closely monitor the cooking to ensure they do not overcook – They may need less time. A meat thermometer comes in handy for this!
- Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken for the most accurate reading.
If you haven’t invested in an Air Fryer yet, now is the time! This kitchen appliance is an incredible tool – It cooks to perfection quickly and effortlessly!
Recommended Tools
- Turn your Instant Pot into an air fryer with this air fryer lid — one less appliance!
- Cosori Air Fryer is the next up, a dedicated air fryer with a larger square basket.
- Ninja Foodi Air Fryer & Indoor Grill — a nice wide and easy to operate air fryer. What I made these French toast sticks in.
- My favorite Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (it does it all!), love, love this air fryer, countertop oven.
You can make almost anything in the air fryer, including Air Fryer Turkey Wings, flavorful Air Fryer Italian Sausage, this popular air fryer halibut and even a yummy Air Fryer Chicken Curry recipe.
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Crispy Chicken with Baking Powder?
Baking powder is not just for baking! In fact, it produces a lovely crispness for chicken and other meats. However, you can omit this ingredient and still get delicious BBQ chicken dish.
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap the Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the chicken seasonings. Use your favorite rub, add some heat with some cayenne pepper or keep it simple with salt and pepper. No matter what, be sure to add salt! Salt is the one spice that permeates the chicken breast.
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400° F and cook thighs for 12-14 minutes; flipping halfway through until internal temperature reaches 165° F.
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks: Do the same as you would with chicken thighs above.
- Store-Bought BBQ Sauce: If preferred, use your favorite bottle of BBQ sauce or try my delicious Barbecue Sauce with liquid smoke – Yum!
- Low-Carb BBQ Chicken: Replace the barbecue sauce with a sugar-free bbq sauce (my favorite brand!).
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – After the air fryer chicken breast recipe completely cools, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
How to Freeze – Store the cooled BBQ chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Reheating – Reheat this recipe in the air fryer for a few minutes or use a microwave as a quicker method. To prevent dry results, sprinkle the chicken with moisture, like water or broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overcooking is what dries out chicken! It helps to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Poultry should reach 165°F internal for safe eating.
Pat the chicken breasts dry before seasoning and cooking. Ensure the air fryer is well preheated and your chicken and the basket are sprayed or rubbed with oil. And never overcrowd the air fryer and cook in a single layer for even cooking and adequate air circulation.
Yes, see the instructions below. You won’t get the same results as thawed chicken breasts because you aren’t adding the spice rub!
If preferred, you can use chicken tenders instead of breasts for this easy recipe. Reduce the cooking time to four to five minutes per side, and be sure they reach the correct internal temperature.
I get it; it happens to me all the time! If you can get your chicken breasts out of the original package, do so and place in a sealed ziplock. Or package of chicken breasts in a container large enough to submerge them.
Run warm (not hot) water over the chicken breasts, stirring occasionally to avoid cold pockets and removing and refilling the container with more warm water until thawed. Typically it takes 30-60 minutes. I also love this quick thawing board. Or see the information below on how to cook frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer.
Yes with a qualifier, you don’t want to start the air frying with the sauce on, the sauce will burn, instead add it towards the end for perfectly caramelized BBQ sauce.
How to Cook Air Fryer Bone In Chicken Breast
Preheat the air fryer to 375° F (190° C). Rub bone-in chicken breasts with a little oil, then coat with dry rub. Place skin side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-27 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.
It’s best to use a meat thermometer as chicken breasts come in all shapes and sizes, insert thermometer in the thickest part of the breast without touching the bones.
Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400° F (205° C) for 5-10 minutes.
- Place the frozen chicken breasts in the basket of your air fryer, sprayed with oil.
- Air fry for a total of 30 minutes.
- After 15 minutes of cooking, flip the breasts.
- Cook for another 10-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F in the thickest part of the breast.
- In the last few minutes of cooking, brush the sauce on both sides of the breasts.
- Brush the BBQ sauce on the last few minutes of air frying; if you do it too soon, it will burn.
I usually remove my chicken when it hits about 163° F internally, as it will continue cooking as it rests. Allow it to rest, covered with foil for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
What to serve with Air Fryer Barbeque Chicken
- Apple Coleslaw
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Bacon Balsamic Macaroni Salad
- Smoked Gruyere Mac and Cheese
- Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners
Best sides to serve with Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
Make it a whole meal and serve one or two delicious side dishes with your air-fried BBQ chicken. Try this Apple Coleslaw, these dreamy Cowboy Baked Beans or this Corn casserole without Jiffy and don’t forget homemade mac and cheese stovetop.
Best desserts to serve with air fryer BBQ chicken
May I suggest our favorite Crumbl chocolate chip cookie recipe, our best Key Lime Pie recipe or this popular Peach Cobbler Pound Cake?
More Delicious and Easy BBQ Recipes
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Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
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Print Pin RateIngredients
Chicken Breast Rub
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast similar sizes, or pound with meat mallet until even thickness(3-4 half breasts)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika may also use regular or hot
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder optional, but adds tenderizing and crispiness
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 green onions chopped, for garnish
Simple Stovetop Barbecue Sauce (or use your favorite storebought sauce)
- 1 cup ketchup use sugar-free if making low-carb
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar use brown sugar substituted if making low-carb
- 2 tablespoons honey substitute Maple Syrup if preferred, or for low-carb use honey substitute
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-1 ½ teaspoons Liquid Smoke optional, but so good
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika use regular or hot too
- ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon onion flakes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
BBQ Sauce for Chicken (or use your favorite storebought BBQ sauce)
- Add all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan, and stir to combine.
- Bring to simmer on medium-low heat, then reduce heat to low heat. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Seasoned Chicken Breasts
- Preheat air fryer to 360° F (182° C). It takes around 5-10 minutes. If time, bring chicken breasts to room temperature 30 minutes before air frying.
- In a small bowl mix together the paprika (½ tsp), garlic powder (½ tsp), onion powder (½ tsp), baking powder (1 tsp), pepper (½ tsp) and kosher salt (½ tsp).
- Blot the Chicken Breasts (2 lbs) dry with a paper towel. Slice or pound chicken if needed, to make even thickness. Spray or brush with oil, and set aside.
- Spread the spice rub over the oil sprayed Chicken and gently rub it in so it sticks. Repeat on the other side. You can also place the spices and breasts inside a large sealed bag and shake to coat the Chicken. *This may be done up to 30 minutes before air fryer.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking oil (a non-aerosol cooking oil spray). Place the spiced chicken top side down (presentation side) on the basket. Close the air fryer and bake for 10 minutes. Flip chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes, until it appears golden brown (165°F internal temperature). Repeat if you have a second batch.
- When Chicken has baked in the air fryer, during the last few minutes of cooking brush the barbecue sauce generously on top of the chicken and bake for another minute or two.
- Remove from air fryer and allow the chicken to rest tented with foil for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.If desired, garnish with diced green onions and serve with a side of barbecue sauce.
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Notes
- I usually remove my chicken when it hits about 163° F internally, as it will continue cooking as it rests. Allow it to rest, covered with foil for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Only add the BBQ sauce at the very end; if you add it too early or the entire time, you will end up with blackened (burned) chicken.
- All chicken breasts are not created equal: if you have some really large breasts (over 1 ½ inches thick), I suggest either butterflying the breasts or pounding with a mallet in a plastic baggie until you reach a similar thickness of around ½-¾ inch.
- If you have very small chicken breasts, they may finish sooner, which is why I love this Meater thermometer to determine doneness. It’s wireless and will let you know once the internal temperature reaches 165° F.
- Be sure to pat dry your chicken and salt or add dry rub it up to 30-60 minutes ahead for best results. Salt is the only thing that will penetrate the entire breast, so dry brining will add more flavor.
- Bring your chicken to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking, pat dry, season with dry rub and cover loosely with paper towel.
- Use your favorite seasonings and spices on the chicken breasts, or keep them simple with just salt and pepper, but please salt them!
- BBQ Chicken Thighs: Substitute chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred. Preheat air fryer to 400° F (205° C), spray with non-aerosol oil and rub with spices. Cook thighs 12-14 minutes; flipping half way through until internal temperature reaches 165° F.
- Store Bought BBQ Sauce: If preferred, use your favorite bottle of BBQ sauce or try my delicious Barbecue Sauce with liquid smoke.
- Low-Carb BBQ Chicken: Replace the barbecue sauce with a sugar-free bbq sauce (my favorite brand!).
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – After the air fryer chicken breast recipe completely cools, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. How to Freeze – Store the cooled BBQ chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Reheating – Reheat this recipe in the air fryer for a few minutes or use a microwave as a quicker method. To prevent dry results, sprinkle the chicken with moisture, like water or broth.How to Cook Air Fryer Bone In Chicken Breast
Preheat the air fryer to 375° F (190° C). Rub bone-in chicken breasts with oil, then coat with dry rub. Place skin side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-27 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F. It’s best to use a meat thermometer, insert thermometer in the thickest part of the breast without touching the bones.Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400° F (205° C) for 5-10 minutes.
- Place the frozen chicken breasts in the basket of your air fryer, sprayed with oil.
- Air fry for a total of 30 minutes.
- After 15 minutes of cooking, flip the breasts.
- Cook for another 10-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F in the thickest part of the breast.
- In the last few minutes of cooking, brush the sauce on both sides of the breasts.
- Brush the BBQ sauce on the last few minutes of air frying; if you do it too soon, it will burn.
Nutrition
TAYLER ROSS
I made this chicken for dinner last night and it was perfect! So moist and easy in the air fryer!
So glad you liked it Tayler, thank you!
Beth
This chicken is so good! The sauce is perfect, and the air fryer makes the chicken so tender and juicy and gives the sauce a nice bit of caramelization.
Yes, it really does!! Thanks, Beth!
Sonia
Thanks for this – my friends absolutely loved it!
Thanks so much Sonia!
Tara
Oooh, such a fantastic air fryer recipe. You had me at only 30 minutes. Definitely perfect for weeknights.
So perfect for those busy weeknights!