BBQ Chicken
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Get ready to experience BBQ Chicken like never before with this healthy and downright delicious air fryer recipe! With perfectly cooked juicy chicken breasts slathered in a finger-licking good BBQ sauce, it’s a quick and easy guilt-free option that doesn’t compromise on taste!
Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe
Today, I want to introduce you to my secret weapon for the most delicious BBQ chicken: the air fryer! Trust me, once you try tender chicken breasts coated in tangy BBQ sauce and cooked to juicy perfection in the air fryer, there’s no turning back. I’ve been hooked ever since I discovered this technique, and now it’s time for you to join the club too!
The air fryer’s powerful hot air circulation ensures even cooking and seals in the juices, resulting in unbelievably flavorful and moist chicken breasts every time. And let’s not forget about the convenience it offers! The air fryer cuts down on cooking time, eliminates the need for oil, and makes cleanup a breeze. This means you’ll have more time to prepare some tasty side dishes like potato salad, corn on the cob, and coleslaw to complement the delicious BBQ chicken!
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken
- Simple Recipe! It’s a recipe that takes the stress out of cooking! No complicated grilling techniques or lengthy preparation required. With just a few simple steps and a few basic ingredients, you can have mouthwatering homemade BBQ chicken ready to enjoy.
- Healthy and Delicious! The combination of tender chicken breasts and BBQ sauce creates a flavor explosion that will have you licking your fingers. And you can savor the deliciousness guilt-free knowing that you’re serving your loved ones a healthy meal.
- Versatile Protein! This barbecue chicken is incredibly flexible, making it the perfect protein for various meals. You can serve it on a bed of fresh greens as a light and refreshing salad, tuck it into buns for sandwiches, or even use it to fill tacos or top rice bowls.
- Chicken Breasts – You’ll need some boneless skinless chicken breasts. This recipe was not designed to use bone-in or skin-on chicken breasts or thighs. But you can check out this air fryer chicken thighs recipe!
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used to season the chicken.
- BBQ Sauce – You can use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce to glaze the chicken.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Provides a touch of acidity and adds a subtle tanginess to the BBQ sauce. Rice vinegar is a good substitute.
- Honey – Adds a bit of natural sweetness to the BBQ sauce. You can also use maple syrup or agave.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This umami-packed sauce provides depth. If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute it with soy sauce.
- Dijon Mustard – Helps to balance the sweetness. If needed, you can use yellow mustard as a substitute.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds a smoky undertone to the BBQ sauce, which elevates the taste of the chicken.
- Cayenne Pepper – This optional ingredient adds a touch of spiciness. Feel free to adjust the amount according to your preferred level of heat.
The beauty of this delicious recipe lies in its simplicity! With just a few easy steps and minimal ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up mouthwatering BBQ chicken that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Before you begin, you need to preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). However, whether or not you need to preheat really depends on your particular air fryer. So you will need to check the manufacturer’s guide for your model.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can begin the recipe by generously seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Make sure to coat the entire breast for the most flavorful chicken. Next, whisk together the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. This yummy mixture infuses the chicken with delicious BBQ flavor.
First, spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking. Then place the seasoned breasts in a single layer in the basket. It’s very important not to overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking.
Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the chicken breasts for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time. You also need to brush the BBQ sauce mixture on both sides of the chicken during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
When done, the internal temperature of the chicken breasts should be at least 165°F (74°C) when checked with a digital meat thermometer.
Once the chicken is done cooking, remove the breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This gives the juices time to redistribute, which keeps the meat moist and tender. Then serve your BBQ chicken with all your favorite sides and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
First, avoid overcooking the chicken and utilize a marinade or sauce to enhance moisture retention. Secondly, ensure that the chicken breasts are arranged in a single layer to allow for adequate air circulation.
How long does it take to air fry raw chicken breast?
The cooking time for air frying raw chicken breast can vary depending on various factors, including the size and thickness of the chicken breasts and the specific air fryer model. However, as a general guideline, it usually takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes at a temperature of 380°F (193°C). It’s important to note that using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to determine when the chicken is fully cooked.
Can I bake the chicken?
Yes! To bake, season the chicken as instructed in the recipe and place it in a greased baking dish. Next, coat it with some of the prepared BBQ sauce mixture and set the rest aside for later. Then bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when tested with a meat thermometer. Brush the chicken breasts on both sides with the remaining BBQ sauce mixture during the final 5 minutes of baking. Once done, remove the chicken breasts from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Use chicken breasts of similar size. This allows for even cooking and prevents some breasts from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- Spray the basket well. Don’t skip spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brushing it with a thin layer of vegetable oil. You don’t want your chicken to stick!
- Use a meat thermometer. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked by making sure that the internal temperature of the breasts reaches a minimum of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest. To ensure juicy and tender chicken, you must let the breasts rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices time to redistribute.
Storage
You can store leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, put the chicken in the microwave for a few minutes on medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 10 minutes. However, if the chicken is frozen you’ll need to let it thaw out overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Discover Other Chicken Recipes
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Easy Grilled Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Roasted Peppers and Asiago Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breast {Air Fryer}
- Chicken Diane
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BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (sore bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken breasts in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
- Brush the chicken breasts with the BBQ sauce mixture during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, flipping them once to coat.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
Notes
- To bake, prepare the chicken as instructed, place it in a greased baking dish then brush it with the prepared BBQ sauce mixture, reserving some for later. Bake the chicken breasts in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer. Brush the chicken breasts with the remaining BBQ sauce mixture during the last 5 minutes of baking, turning them once to coat. Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Chicken Parts: You can use any part of the chicken for this recipe – breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings. Just remember to adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce: The homemade sauce truly elevates this dish. However, if you’re short on time, feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce.
- Cooking Times: These may vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the specific model of your air fryer. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
- Resting Time: Let your chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moister chicken.
- Serving Suggestions: This BBQ chicken pairs excellently with a side of coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a refreshing salad.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
