This BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to get that barbecue flavor without using a grill.
The tricky part with this recipe is the sauce, add it too early and it burns, leave it too long and the chicken dries out. This method fixes both, so you get juicy chicken with that sticky BBQ finish at the end.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You get that classic BBQ flavor without using a grill.
- The sauce stays sticky instead of burning.
- The chicken stays juicy, not dry.
- It works for quick dinners, sandwiches, bowls, or meal prep.
- You can use your favorite BBQ sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
The biggest thing with BBQ chicken in the air fryer is knowing when to add the sauce. BBQ sauce contains sugar, which can get dark much faster than the chicken cooks.
Instead of starting with the sauce, I cook the chicken first and add the BBQ sauce near the end. That gives the chicken time to cook through while still getting that sticky barbecue finish.
I also use chicken breasts that are close in size whenever possible. They cook more evenly and make it easier to know when dinner is ready.
For the base cooking method, see my air fryer chicken breast guide.
Ingredients for BBQ Boneless Chicken Breast
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions down below**
- Boneless and skinless chicken breasts: I use chicken breasts that are close in size so they cook more evenly. If one piece is much thicker than the others, it will usually need more time.
- Olive oil: A little oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken. You can also use avocado oil.
- Salt and pepper: Use as much or as little as you like. If your BBQ rub already contains salt, you may not need much extra.
- BBQ rub: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ rub or make your own. I often use a salt-free BBQ rub so I can control the salt separately.
- Sugar-free BBQ sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. I add it near the end of cooking so it gets that barbecue finish without getting too dark.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases"
How to Cook BBQ Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Place the chicken breast in a large bowl; pat dry chicken with paper towels, rub oil all over the chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper to taste; rub the bbq seasoning all around the chicken.
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
Using the best temperature for air fryer chicken breast helps prevent burning the sauce too early.
Using a silicone brush, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce all over. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes or until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.
Remove from the basket and let the breasts rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Add the BBQ sauce near the end.
- Watch the chicken, not just the timer.
- Use chicken breasts that are close in size.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
- Check the thickest piece first.
- Sauce can also make it harder to get texture, which is why chicken isn't crispy in the air fryer in some cases.
What to Serve With BBQ Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Some great sides to serve with this bbq air fryer chicken breast recipe include:
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken
Store: You can store leftover of this air fryer boneless bbq chicken breast recipe in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: simply place the chicken in the air fryer at 350ºF or 3-5 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven or microwave.
FAQ'S
The easiest way to keep chicken breast juicy is to avoid overcooking it. I start checking the thickest part with a meat thermometer before the timer ends and remove the chicken once it reaches 165°F.
Yes, but I recommend thawing the chicken first for the most even results. If you start with frozen chicken breast, it will need additional cooking time. You can follow the instruction on how to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer.
Yes. You can marinate chicken breast in BBQ sauce for 30 minutes or overnight. I still wait until the end of cooking to brush on additional BBQ sauce.
Near the end of cooking. Adding it too early can cause the sauce to get too dark before the chicken is cooked through.
Most BBQ sauces contain sugar, which cooks faster than the chicken. Adding the sauce near the end helps prevent it from getting too dark.
Leftover BBQ chicken works well in sandwiches, wraps, salads, rice bowls, or meal prep lunches. I usually slice or shred it after reheating and use it as a quick shortcut for another meal.
More Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes
Please, do not forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. for more healthy recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!
BBQ Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer is an easy way to get that classic barbecue flavor without using a grill. The chicken stays juicy, and the sauce is added near the end so it gets that sticky BBQ finish without getting too dark.
Ingredients
- 3 (8 ounces) boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoon olive oil,
- Salt and pepper
- 1 Tablespoon BBQ rub
- ½ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in a large bowl; pat dry chicken with paper towels, rub oil all over the chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper to taste; rub the bbq seasoning all around the chicken.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Using a silicone brush, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce all over. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes or until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.
- Remove from the basket and let the breasts rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Add the BBQ sauce near the end of cooking so it does not get too dark before the chicken is ready.
- Use chicken breasts that are close in size for more even cooking.
- Check the thickest part with an instant meat thermometer. Chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Thicker chicken breasts may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 306mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 38gProtein: 24g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
