Air-Fryer Barbecue Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Barbecue chicken is a staple at summer gatherings, but it can be a hassle to stand outside over a hot grill. Fortunately, you can make juicy, tender, and flavourful barbecue chicken in an air fryer with minimal prep and cleanup. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, tossed in a salad, or used as a pizza topping, and it's a hit with kids. You can use any cut of chicken and customise the recipe with your preferred seasonings and barbecue sauce.

Barbecue chicken in the air fryer is tender, juicy and there's no need to fire up the grill

Barbecue chicken is a staple at summer get-togethers, picnics, and backyard parties. While it is traditionally cooked on a grill, you can also make tender, juicy barbecue chicken in an air fryer without firing up the grill.

The air fryer's powerful convection fan circulates hot air to cook juicy, lightly charred chicken pieces with a sticky, sweet, and tangy barbecue sauce coating. It is a convenient option for busy weeknights, requiring minimal prep and taking about 25 minutes to cook. The recipe can be easily customized with your preferred cut of chicken, seasoning, and barbecue sauce.

To prepare the chicken, preheat your air fryer to 370°F–380°F. Combine a blend of spices, such as chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, with olive oil and rub it onto the chicken breasts. Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.

Cook the chicken for 9–10 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 8–12 minutes. Generously brush barbecue sauce over the chicken and cook for an additional 1–4 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the meat. The sauce cooks quickly and can burn, so it is best to add it towards the end of the cooking process.

The barbecue chicken is now ready to be served. You can enjoy it as a standalone dish or get creative and use it in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or even as a pizza topping. It pairs well with various side dishes, such as corn on the cob, sweet potato fries, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

It takes minimal prep and it's ready in about 25 minutes

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is a quick and easy recipe that takes minimal prep and is ready in about 25 minutes. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, tossed in a salad, or used as a pizza topping. The best part? No more firing up the grill or waiting for the oven to preheat!

To start, gather your ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breasts or your preferred cut of chicken, barbecue sauce, and a simple spice rub. You can use a store-bought spice blend or make your own by combining spices like smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.

For prep, simply rub the chicken with the spice blend and let it sit while you preheat your air fryer. Preheating the air fryer is essential to getting those beautiful char marks on your chicken. Most air fryers preheat in just 5 minutes, and you'll know it's ready when you hear that satisfying sizzle as the chicken hits the basket. Be sure to leave space between each piece of chicken for even cooking.

Now, it's time to cook! Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket and follow the cooking instructions for your desired doneness. For a simple guide, cook the chicken for 10 minutes, flip, and then cook for another 8-10 minutes. Add your barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking to get that sticky, sweet glaze. The sauce cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it's ready! Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. And that's it—your juicy, tender Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is now ready to be devoured. Enjoy the fruits of your minimal labor!

You can use your favourite barbecue sauce or make your own

You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own by mixing ingredients such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add olive oil to the sauce and brush it onto the chicken before cooking. This will help the spices stick to the chicken and give it a more even coating.

If you are using a store-bought sauce, you can enhance the flavour by adding your own spices and herbs. You can also adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding water or stock to make it thinner, or reducing it to make it thicker and stickier.

It is important to note that barbecue sauce cooks quickly, so it should only be added to the chicken towards the end of the cooking process. If added too early, the sauce may burn and turn black. The sauce should be brushed onto the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking, and the chicken should be returned to the air fryer for about 1-4 minutes, depending on the recipe, until the sauce is cooked.

The key is getting the spices to stick to the chicken

Yes, you can cook barbecue chicken in an air fryer. It's an easy weeknight dinner that comes together effortlessly. It's also a great option for weekly meal prep.

The key to getting the spices to stick to the chicken is to pat it dry with a paper towel before applying any seasoning. You can then brush the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray and sprinkle the seasoning all over, gently pressing it into the chicken. You can also toss the chicken with your spices and oil, ensuring every bite is well-coated.

If you want to add barbecue sauce to your chicken, it's best to add it towards the end of the cooking process as it cooks fast and will burn if left in the air fryer for too long. You can also add a thicker layer of barbecue sauce to the chicken and air fry for another four minutes.

It's important to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken, and to leave space between each piece of chicken to encourage proper airflow and even cooking.

It's best to use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature

When cooking barbecue chicken in an air fryer, it is always best to use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature. This is the most accurate way to ensure that your chicken is cooked to perfection and safe to eat.

The internal temperature of chicken is a critical factor in food safety. Undercooked chicken can harbour harmful bacteria, leading to foodborne illnesses. On the other hand, overcooked chicken can become dry and unappetizing. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that chicken be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure that harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, are eliminated.

An instant-read thermometer, also known as a meat thermometer, is a handy kitchen tool designed to measure the internal temperature of meats, such as chicken. It provides an accurate reading of the temperature at the centre of the meat, where bacteria are most likely to survive if the temperature is not high enough. By using an instant-read thermometer, you can ensure that your chicken is thoroughly cooked without overcooking it.

To use an instant-read thermometer, simply insert the probe into the thickest part of the chicken, being careful not to touch any bones, as this can give an inaccurate reading. Wait for a few seconds until the temperature reading stabilizes, and then remove the thermometer. If the temperature has not yet reached 165°F, return the chicken to the air fryer and continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until the desired temperature is reached.

In summary, when cooking barbecue chicken in an air fryer, it is always best to use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature. This ensures that your chicken is cooked safely and thoroughly, maintaining both its juicy texture and your peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions