Air-Fried Bbq Chicken: A Tasty, Quick Treat

BBQ chicken is a classic staple at picnics, backyard get-togethers, and even as a quick and easy weeknight dinner. But what if you don't want to stand in the hot sun over the grill? Well, you can make delicious BBQ chicken in the comfort of your air-conditioned kitchen using an air fryer.

Can I make BBQ chicken in the air fryer?

What type of chicken should I use?

When making BBQ chicken in an air fryer, the type of chicken you should use depends on the recipe and your personal preference.

If you're using a whole chicken, you'll need to break it down into bone-in pieces. You can also buy chicken that's already in pieces, such as bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks or bone-in skin-on chicken thighs. These cuts will give you the best results in terms of timing for the recipe.

However, you can also use other cuts of chicken, such as chicken leg quarters or chicken breasts, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Chicken breasts, for example, will need less time in the air fryer.

If you're using boneless skinless chicken breasts, look for thinner cuts or slice larger breasts in half to ensure even cooking. You can also pound the chicken to an even thickness to promote even cooking.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can buy standard chicken breasts and slice them in half yourself using a sharp kitchen knife. This way, you'll get evenly sized pieces that will cook at the same rate.

If you're short on time, you can also use frozen chicken breasts, but be sure to thaw them first and cook them longer before adding any sauce.

How long does it take to cook?

The cooking time for BBQ chicken in an air fryer depends on several factors, including the type of chicken, its thickness, and the air fryer model. Here's a detailed breakdown of the cooking times for different scenarios:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

For boneless skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time can range from 10 to 20 minutes. Some recipes suggest cooking for 10 minutes on one side, flipping, and then cooking for an additional 8 to 10 minutes. It's important to note that the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, so using a meat thermometer is recommended.

Bone-in Skin-on Chicken

Bone-in chicken, such as drumsticks or thighs, will take longer to cook than boneless chicken. One recipe suggests cooking bone-in chicken pieces for 18 minutes on the skin side, flipping, and then cooking for an additional 3 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. Again, it's crucial to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Frozen Chicken

When using frozen chicken, it's important to thaw it first. The cooking time will be longer than for fresh chicken, but the exact timing will depend on the type and thickness of the chicken.

Sauce Application

The timing of when you apply barbecue sauce to the chicken is crucial. Most recipes recommend waiting until the chicken is partially cooked before brushing or spreading the sauce. This helps prevent burning and ensures a pleasant char. After applying the sauce, return the chicken to the air fryer for a few additional minutes to heat the sauce and finish cooking the chicken.

Preheating and Temperature

Preheating your air fryer is generally recommended, and it usually takes around 5 minutes. The ideal cooking temperature for BBQ chicken seems to be around 360°F to 400°F, depending on the model and specific recipe.

How to store and reheat leftovers

To store leftover BBQ chicken, wrap it in aluminium foil or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To freeze cooked chicken, let it cool completely, then double-wrap it and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to reheat your chicken, you can use an air fryer, an oven, a stovetop, or a microwave. Here's how:

Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F and heat the chicken for about 3-4 minutes, adding 1-2 minutes if it's not fully heated through.

Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer on a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Stovetop

For this method, it's best to use meat that has been removed from the bone. Place a skillet over medium heat and add just enough water or chicken broth to cover the bottom. Once the water starts to simmer, add the chicken in a single layer. Lower the heat and stir until the chicken is hot.

Microwave

Place the chicken in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, with smaller pieces towards the centre and larger pieces towards the edge. Drizzle with olive oil and a teaspoon of water to keep the meat moist, then cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat for 2 minutes, then flip the chicken and heat for another 30-second interval if it's not hot enough.

What to serve with BBQ chicken

BBQ chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to complement your juicy and tender air-fryer BBQ chicken:

Classic Sides

• Mac and cheese
• Baked beans
• Potato salad
• Coleslaw
• Cornbread
• Mashed potatoes
• Fries
• Veggies

Creative Sides

• Corn on the cob
• Rice
• Garlic bread
• Green salad
• Baked potatoes
• Sweet potato wedges or jackets
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Cucumber noodle salad with peanut sauce
• Mandarin orange salad or grilled peach salad
• Garlic broccoli or asparagus
• Mint or chilli mashed peas
• Stuffed peppers with rice
• Roasted Mediterranean vegetables
• Couscous corn salad
• Blistered shishito peppers
• Arugula salad
• Grilled potato salad
• Crispy parmesan green bean fries
• Baked tortilla chips
• Fennel and chickpea salad
• Chickpeas and avocado salad
• Kale Caesar salad
• Glazed carrots
• Crispy smashed buffalo potatoes
• Air fryer zucchini fries
• Thai cucumber salad
• Hawaiian coleslaw
• Tomato cucumber salad
• Shaved Brussels sprout salad
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Peach caprese salad
• Zucchini pasta salad
• Cherry tomato salad with roasted lemons
• Grilled radicchio with cheese
• Dill pickle pasta salad
• Cherry Caprese salad
• Cucumber-tomato salad
• Million-layer potatoes
• Classic broccoli salad
• Spicy watermelon salad

How to make your own BBQ sauce

Yes, you can make BBQ chicken in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for how to do it:

How to Make BBQ Chicken in an Air Fryer

Get your air fryer ready by preheating it to 360°F or 370°F. While the air fryer is warming up, prepare your chicken. For this recipe, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are thick, you can pound them to make them more even. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then spray or brush them with olive oil.

In a small bowl, mix together your spices. You can use garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. If you don't like spicy food, you can leave out the cayenne. You can also add ground mustard or brown sugar to the mix. Once your spices are mixed, rub them all over the chicken.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a lot of chicken, you may need to cook it in batches. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 8-10 minutes.

After the chicken is cooked through, generously spread BBQ sauce over the top and sides. Place the chicken back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes. The sauce will cook quickly, so keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Now, for the BBQ sauce! Here is a recipe for a classic, sweet, and spicy BBQ sauce that you can make at home.

To make this sauce, you will need:

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Red wine vinegar
• Water
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dry mustard
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Hot sauce (such as Frank's or Crystal)

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. That's the basic recipe, but there are a few extra steps you can take to customize your sauce.

If you want a thicker sauce with a more intense flavor, you can pour the blended mixture into a small pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Cook for about a minute, then allow it to cool before storing it in a resealable container in the refrigerator.

You can also adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. For example, if you prefer a less sweet sauce, cut back on the brown sugar. Or, if you want a sauce with more of a "steak sauce" flavor, add more Worcestershire sauce.

Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to make your own unique BBQ sauce!

Frequently asked questions