Name: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ - 2 lb chicken breast (3-4 chicken breasts) (boneless, skinless); ½ tsp paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp cracked pepper; ½ tsp sea salt; ⅛ - ¼ cayenne pepper (optional); spray oil; ⅓ c BBQ sauce

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You will love how quick and easy it is to whip up Air Fryer Chicken Breast that is smothered in thick and sticky BBQ sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes with a crispy outside and so juicy. A simple dinner recipe the whole family will love!

Overhead view of air fryer bbq chicken breast on cutting board.

If you have an air fryer, then you know how amazing it makes all the things you cook in it. We have done everything from hamburgers to French Toast and plenty in between.

This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast quickly became a family favorite and may be the only way we make BBQ chicken from hear on out!

Why you will love this recipe:

So simple to prep. No firing up the grill, no waiting for the oven to pre-heat. My Air Fryer doesn't require preheating and most preheat so quickly. Rub the chicken and pop it in the fryer basket. Cook and flip, not much else!
A great option for weekly meal prepping. If you are a Sunday meal prepper and you are already using your oven, stove top and everything in between, you can make the most of this time by adding this chicken into the air fryer. Make the most of your food prep time, and then eat off of them during the week.
An easy meal to pair with any side. BBQ chicken is a great dinner to pair with just about anything. Mac and cheese and street corn are two of our favorites. But a salad, pasta salad, potatoes, and just about anything you have in the fridge will go well with this Air Fryer Chicken Breast!

Ingredients and Substitutions:

Use your favorite BBQ sauce to make this air fryer chicken breast the easiest, but if you are feeling like having some fun, you can always make your own sauce.
Cayenne pepper is optional. Check to see how spicy the barbecue sauce is that you are using before adding it so you don't end up with chicken that is way too spicy.

BBQ sauce, spices and chicken labeled on counter.

How to make this:

The key with making chicken in the air fryer is getting the spices to stay on the chicken. Adding some cooking spray directly onto the chicken before adding the seasoning will do this.

Stir together the garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper (if using). Spray one side of your chicken with oil and then sprinkle the seasoning all over and gently press it into the chicken. Repeat on the other side. (step 1)
Spray the basket of the air fryer and then add the chicken top side/presentation side down into the air fryer. Heat at 360°F for 10 minutes. (step 2)

Seasoned meat on plate and in air fryer.

After ten minutes is up, flip the chicken. Place back into the air fryer and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the chicken just reaches 165°F internal temperature in the thickest part. (steps 3-4)

Cooked chicken breast with seasoning in air fryer basket.

Once the chicken reaches 165°F, generously spread the BBQ sauce over the top and sides of the chicken. Place back in the air fryer for about 1-2 minutes. The BBQ sauce will cook really fast so you really don't need to put it in for too long at all.

Remove the chicken and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes and Tips:

For best results, pound the chicken to make it as even as possible. If you have chicken that is very thick on one side and thin on the other, it can cause one side to be over cooked while the other is under cooked.
Chicken breasts certainly come in all shapes and sizes. If you have very large, thick (over an inch and a half) chicken, it will take a bit longer to cook for sure. If your breasts are small, you may want to check in after less time. A meat thermometer is key for this.
You do not want to cook the chicken the entire time with the BBQ sauce. Only add it to the air fryer chicken breasts in the end. You will end up with very black chicken if not!
Switch up the regular paprika for smoked paprika to bring out the smoky BBQ flavor in this air fryer chicken!

Other recipes to check out:

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Overhead view of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken on cutting board.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: air fryer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 238kcal

Author: Lorie Yarro

Ingredients

Instructions

Stir the paprika, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper together and set aside. Pound chicken if needed to make the thickness as even as possible. Pat the chicken breasts dry and then spray with oil. Spread the spice rub over the oil sprayed chicken and gently press into help it stay. Repeat on the other side of the chicken.
Spray the basket of the air fryer and lay the chicken top side down (presentation side). Close the air fryer, set it 360°F and heat for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken after 10 minutes and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is 165°F internal temperature.
Spread the BBQ sauce generously on top of the chicken and return to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes to heat the BBQ sauce. Remove and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

For best results, pound the chicken to make it as even as possible. If you have chicken that is very thick on one side and thin on the other, it can cause one side to be over cooked while the other is under cooked.
Chicken breasts certainly come in all shapes and sizes. If you have very large, thick (over an inch and a half) chicken, it will take a bit longer to cook for sure. If your breasts are small, you may want to check in after less time. A meat thermometer is key for this.
You do not want to cook the chicken the entire time with the BBQ sauce. Only add it to the air fryer chicken breasts in the end. You will end up with very black chicken if not!
Switch up the regular paprika for smoked paprika to bring out the smoky BBQ flavor in this air fryer chicken!