Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is tender, juicy, and coated in slightly caramelized barbecue sauce. Coat the chicken thighs or breasts with a spice rub to add extra flavor.

Why I love It:

• 20 Minute Cook Time – Chicken cooks super quickly in the air fryer!
• Smoky Spice Rub – Rubbing the chicken with some pantry spices adds so much flavor and a smokiness to pair with the sweet barbecue sauce.
• Tender and Juicy – Perfectly cooked chicken that is super tender.

Ingredients You Need For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken – You can use breasts or thighs (pictured)
• Spices – Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt, cayenne pepper (optional)
• Cooking Spray
• Barbecue Sauce – Store bought or homemade

How to Make BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer:

1. Rub Chicken – In a small bowl, mix up the spices. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice rub on both sides.
2. Add to Air Fryer – Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the chicken.
3. Air Fry – Air fry at 375 degrees F for 16-18 minutes for thighs or 14-16 minutes for breasts, until the internal temp is at least 165 degrees F.
4. Brush with BBQ Sauce – Brush the tops of the chicken generously with the barbecue sauce. Air fry again at 400 degrees F for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is a little bubbly and caramelized.
5. Serve – Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving with sides of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for chicken thighs to cook in the air fryer?

The cook time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken thighs, but most boneless chicken thighs cook in about 15-20 minutes in the air fryer.

How long does it take for chicken breasts to cook in the air fryer?

The cook time will vary based on the size of the chicken breasts, but most chicken breasts cook in about 12-15 minutes in the air fryer.

Can you stack chicken in an air fryer?

For best results, cook the chicken in an even layer and do not stack the breasts or thighs. This helps them cook evenly and helps the tops get a little crispy and caramelized.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Thermometer to Check Internal Temp – This is the best way to know that chicken is fully cooked. The internal temp should be at least 165 degrees F, but I prefer 170-175 degrees F for thighs.

Serving Ideas

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is super versatile and the serving options are endless. Here are some of my favorite pairings:

• Cooked White or Brown Rice
• Corn on the Cob
• Quinoa Salad – Loaded with lots of color, texture, and tossed together with an easy lemon dressing.
• White Bean Salad – Just canned white beans, some veggies, and an easy lemon dressing.
• Roasted Baby Potatoes – Perfectly tender and fluffy on the inside, while golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Variations

Here are some easy variations to this air fryer bbq chicken:

• Spice Level of Spice Rub – Depending on your preference for spice, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or even omit it entirely if you don’t want any kick.
• Barbecue Sauce – You can use any kind of barbecue sauce that you like! You can even make it homemade with a recipe like this.

Storage and Reheating

• Storage – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating – Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350 degrees F about 5 minutes until warmed.

Other Air Fryer Recipes:

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges – Flavorful, tender, and quick to make. Cut up some sweet potatoes, toss with oil and spices, then air fry! 
• Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Broccoli – Cooks in minutes. It is tender with crispy and roasted edges. The pairing of garlic and parmesan cheese is fantastic!
• Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Thighs – Mix up an easy sesame marinade with pantry ingredients and cook them in your air fryer in just 15 minutes.
• Air Fryer Salmon – Takes only minutes to cook, is flavorful, healthy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Mix up a simple salmon seasoning to rub on the salmon filets.
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes – Super crispy skin, but tender and soft on the inside.

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