Description
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy tender, juicy chicken with a caramelized BBQ sauce finish. Perfect for those who love the smoky, rich flavor of BBQ without firing up the grill, this method uses an air fryer to cook chicken breasts evenly and efficiently in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 pieces, 6-8 ounces each)
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Other Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (plus additional for serving, if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. If your chicken breasts are thick, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a mallet to create an even thickness for uniform cooking. Place the chicken in a bowl or shallow dish.
- Make Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder. Stir well to mix all the spices evenly.
- Coat Chicken: Drizzle avocado or vegetable oil over the chicken breasts and rub thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle the prepared spice mixture over the chicken and toss to ensure each piece is fully coated with the seasoning.
- Cook First Side: Spray the air fryer basket with an oil spray that does not contain propellants like Pam. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer inside the basket. Cook at 380°F for 6 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 4 minutes at 380°F to cook the other side evenly.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce and Finish Cooking: Open the air fryer and generously brush the chicken with ¼ cup of BBQ sauce on all sides. Continue cooking for another 2-6 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices and enhance flavor. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
- If chicken breasts are unevenly thick, pounding them ensures even cooking and prevents dryness.
- Using avocado or vegetable oil helps in better seasoning adhesion and crisping.
- Do not use cooking sprays with propellants in the air fryer basket as they can damage the coating.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe doneness (165°F).
- The cooking time for caramelizing BBQ sauce may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.
- Letting chicken rest after cooking improves juiciness and texture.
