Air-Fryer Chicken: A Healthy Bbq Alternative?

BBQ chicken is a staple at any summer picnic, backyard get-together, or weeknight dinner. But what if you don't want to stand over a hot grill? Well, you can make juicy, tender, and flavourful BBQ chicken in an air fryer! It's quick, easy, and versatile – you can use your favourite BBQ sauce and pair it with any side dish. So, if you're looking for a new way to cook BBQ chicken, read on to find out how to make it in an air fryer.

Can you BBQ chicken in an air fryer?

How to prepare chicken for the air fryer

Preparing chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, juicy, and tender meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare chicken for the air fryer:

Step 1: Choose Your Chicken

Select the cut of chicken you want to cook. Chicken breasts are a popular choice for the air fryer, and you can use either boneless or bone-in chicken breasts. You can also cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, or opt for chicken thighs, drumsticks, or tenders.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

If your chicken breasts are large, you may want to slice them in half or pound them to create thinner, more even pieces. This will help ensure the chicken cooks evenly and thoroughly.

Step 3: Brine the Chicken (Optional)

Brining the chicken is an optional step, but it can help improve the texture and flavour. To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. If you prefer a wet brine, you can use a saltwater solution.

Step 4: Season the Chicken

Combine your chosen spices and seasonings in a small bowl. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix and match to create your favourite blend.

Coat the chicken with olive oil or another cooking oil, and then sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken, gently pressing it into the meat to help it adhere. Make sure to coat both sides of the chicken.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature will depend on the size and type of chicken you are cooking, but most recipes suggest cooking chicken in the air fryer at temperatures between 360-375°F (180-190°C).

Step 6: Cook the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with the smooth side of the chicken facing down. If you are cooking multiple pieces, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook the chicken for the recommended time based on the size and type of chicken. For example, small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 7-10 minutes, while larger breasts (11 ounces or more) may take up to 16 minutes.

Step 7: Flip and Cook

Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. For some recipes, you may also want to brush the chicken with barbecue sauce or additional oil during this step.

Step 8: Check Doneness

To ensure your chicken is cooked properly, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (70-74°C).

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. Enjoy your juicy, air-fried chicken!

How to make a dry rub

Making a dry rub for BBQ chicken is simple and allows you to customise the flavour to your liking. Here is a recipe for a BBQ chicken dry rub, along with some tips for making your own.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.
• If you want a finer mixture, sift the spices together with a mesh strainer or flour sifter, or add them to a food processor and process until well mixed.
• Transfer the mixture to a clean, dry container with a lid, such as a glass jar.
• Store the dry rub in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or spice cabinet.

This dry rub can be used on any cut of chicken. Simply rub it onto the chicken skin or meat and cook according to your preferred method. For best results, let the chicken sit with the dry rub for at least 15 minutes before cooking, and be sure to tuck it in the fridge while it marinates. If the chicken has skin, you can also rub some of the seasoning under the skin to really enhance the flavour.

If you want to experiment with creating your own dry rub, here are some common ingredients you can use:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Brown sugar
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Chilli powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Dry ground mustard
• Italian herb blend or Herbs de Provence

Simply combine your chosen ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. You can adjust the quantities and add or remove ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

How to make a BBQ sauce

Yes, you can barbecue chicken in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for making BBQ sauce to go with your chicken:

Ingredients:

• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Tamari or soy sauce
• Yellow mustard
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Ground cumin
• Smoked paprika

Optional:

• Cayenne pepper
• Hot sauce
• Adobo sauce

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
• Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
• Reduce the heat to low.
• Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened (around 20 minutes).
• Taste and adjust the seasoning before using it on your BBQ chicken.

You can store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it for up to three months.

How to cook the chicken in the air fryer

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken breasts, olive oil or another high-heat oil, and barbecue sauce. You can also add spices such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, and cayenne pepper for a simple spice rub.

Preparation

Pat the chicken breasts dry and coat them with oil. If you are using spices, combine them in a small dish and distribute the mixture over the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and preheat the air fryer to between 360-370°F.

Cooking

Cook the chicken for 9-10 minutes, then flip the breasts and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Brush each breast with barbecue sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Serving

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve it with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, fries, vegetables, rice, farro, or a salad.

How to store leftovers

You can store leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month. When storing in the freezer, make sure to use freezer-safe bags or containers.

• BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Combine pulled chicken with sautéed red onion, fresh parsley, and cheese inside crispy golden brown tortillas.
• BBQ Chicken Nachos: Layer your chicken over nachos with cheese, avocado, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, and any other toppings you like.
• BBQ Chicken Salad: Combine BBQ chicken, diced red onion, bell pepper, shredded carrots, and chopped cilantro. Spoon the mixture into lettuce cups and enjoy.
• BBQ Chicken Pasta Bake: Combine cooked pasta with shredded BBQ chicken, red pepper, onions, and BBQ sauce, then top with cheese and bake.

Frequently asked questions