Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Air fryer BBQ chicken breast is coated in a simple seasoning blend and finished with BBQ sauce for a juicy, flavorful meal that comes together fast. If you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, this one is ready in under 20 minutes and works with just about any side dish, salad, or sandwich.

Chicken is a regular favorite around here, and the air fryer has become one of the easiest ways to cook it. It cooks quickly, stays tender and juicy, and makes weeknight meals feel much more manageable.

This BBQ version is especially hard to resist. There’s no need to fire up the grill or heat the oven—just season the chicken, place it in the air fryer, and let it do the work. It’s great for dinner but also works perfectly for meal prep throughout the week.

The seasoning blend is simple, using paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, but it adds plenty of flavor. It’s one of those mixes you’ll probably want to use again on other meals once you try it.

Brushing the BBQ sauce on near the end of cooking lets it caramelize slightly, adding even more flavor and giving the chicken that sticky, smoky finish everyone loves.

Leftovers store well for several days, making this a convenient option when you want cooked chicken ready to go for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

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Air fryer BBQ chicken breast is coated in a simple seasoning blend and finished with BBQ sauce for a juicy, flavorful meal that comes together fast. If you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, this one is ready in under 20 minutes and works with just about any side dish, salad, or sandwich.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 14 minutes

Total Time 24 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken breasts and rub it in evenly on all sides.
2. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil using an oil mister if possible. Avoid aerosol sprays, as they may damage the basket coating.
3. Place the chicken breasts in the basket in a single layer without overlapping.
4. Air fry at 380°F for 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 7–8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
5. Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, just until the sauce is warmed through.
6. Let the chicken rest for 4–5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• If the chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly. Thicker pieces may also need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil before cooking. Avoid aerosol sprays, as they can damage the basket coating.
• Depending on their size, most air fryers can hold about 2–4 chicken breasts at a time. Arrange them in a single layer without overlapping to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

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