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

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make barbecue chicken. You can use a variety of chicken cuts, including breasts, wings, thighs, and drumsticks, and the cooking time will vary depending on the cut and thickness of the chicken. Most recipes suggest cooking the chicken for around 20 minutes in the air fryer, flipping it halfway through. You can also add your favourite barbecue sauce to the chicken, but this should be done towards the end of the cooking process to prevent it from burning.

Chicken breast vs. chicken thighs

Barbecue chicken can be made in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for barbecue chicken breasts in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 - 2 lb chicken breast (3-4 chicken breasts), boneless, skinless
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
• 1/8 - 1/4 cayenne pepper, optional
• Olive oil/oil spray

Instructions:

• Stir the paprika, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper together and set aside.
• Pound chicken if needed to make the thickness as even as possible.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry and then spray or rub with olive oil.
• Spread the spice rub over the oiled chicken and gently press it in to help it stay. Repeat on the other side of the chicken.
• Spray or brush the basket of the air fryer with olive oil and lay the chicken top side down (presentation side).
• Close the air fryer, set it to 360°F and heat for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken after 10 minutes and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is about 160°F internal temperature.
• Spread the BBQ sauce generously on top of the chicken and return to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes to heat the BBQ sauce. It should reach 165°F at this time.
• Remove and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Chicken Breast vs Chicken Thigh

Chicken breast and chicken thigh are both excellent sources of lean protein, ideal for any diet. However, there are some clear differences between the two.

Chicken breast is the healthiest option, as it has fewer calories and less fat per serving. On the other hand, chicken thighs win when it comes to flavour and juiciness. The extra bit of fat on the thigh creates a more intense flavour and helps the meat stay tender and moist. Chicken breasts have a higher chance of becoming dry and flavourless if overcooked. To combat this, more fat and seasonings are often added to the breasts. With chicken thighs, you don't need to add extra fat or seasonings.

Chicken thighs are also less expensive than chicken breasts and are made of dark meat, making them extra juicy.

Olive oil vs. avocado oil

Yes, you can cook barbecue chicken in an air fryer! Here's a recipe for you to try:

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 - 2 lb chicken breast (3-4 chicken breasts), boneless, skinless
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
• 1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Olive oil/oil spray
• BBQ sauce

Instructions:

• Stir together the garlic powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper (if using).
• Pat the chicken breasts dry and then spray or rub with olive oil.
• Spread the spice rub over the chicken and gently press it in. Repeat on the other side.
• Spray or brush the basket of the air fryer with olive oil and lay the chicken top side down.
• Close the air fryer, set it to 360°F and heat for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
• Spread BBQ sauce generously on top of the chicken and return to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes to heat the sauce. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Remove and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Now, here's some information about olive oil vs avocado oil:

Olive Oil vs Avocado Oil

Both olive oil and avocado oil are suitable for air frying, but they have different smoke points and flavours. Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, so it's better for cooking at high temperatures. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, has a lower smoke point and should be reserved for recipes cooked at 375°F or lower. If you're cooking at 400°F or lower, you can use regular virgin olive oil.

Avocado oil has a neutral flavour, while olive oil has a distinctive taste. Olive oil is also rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Both oils are suitable for spraying or brushing onto food before air frying.

BBQ sauce options

BBQ sauce is an essential component of barbecue chicken, and you can choose from a variety of options to suit your taste preferences.

Firstly, you can opt for a store-bought BBQ sauce, with options such as Sweet Baby Ray's, Kraft Hickory Smoke BBQ Sauce, or a Kansas City-style sauce. These sauces provide a convenient and readily available option for your barbecue chicken.

Alternatively, you can make your own BBQ sauce from scratch, allowing you to customise the flavour to your liking. This can be a fun and creative process, giving you the opportunity to experiment with different ingredients and find your perfect blend.

When selecting a BBQ sauce, consider the flavour profile you desire. Some popular options include honey BBQ, hickory and brown sugar, spicy, or a combination of sweet and spicy. You can also add a smokey flavour to your chicken by using smoked paprika in your seasoning.

Additionally, if you prefer a spicier dish, you can incorporate cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or hot barbecue sauce into your recipe. This will give your barbecue chicken an extra kick that spice enthusiasts are sure to enjoy.

Remember, the beauty of barbecue chicken is that you can customise it to your taste, so feel free to experiment with different sauce options and find the one that suits your palate the best!

Seasoning options

Seasoning your chicken is a great way to add flavour to your meal. There are a variety of seasonings that you can use to spice up your barbecue chicken.

A simple seasoning mix can make the chicken breasts extra flavourful before they are smothered in barbecue sauce. You can use a medley of chilli powder, smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder for a flavourful spice rub. Alternatively, you can use garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. The cayenne is optional if you don't like the heat. You can use smoked paprika for a bolder flavour. Sometimes, you can also add some ground mustard or brown sugar to the mix.

If you want spicier barbecue chicken, simply add some cayenne powder or crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix before rubbing it into the chicken breasts. You can also opt for a hot barbecue sauce for an extra kick.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking temperature and time for barbecue chicken in an air fryer depend on the type of chicken and the brand of the air fryer being used.

For boneless chicken breasts, the temperature should be set to between 360°F and 390°F. The chicken should be cooked for 10 minutes on one side, then flipped and cooked for another 8-10 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For bone-in chicken, the temperature should be set to 375°F and cooked for 18 minutes. The chicken should then be flipped, brushed with barbecue sauce, and cooked for an additional 3-12 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Again, the chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For thin-sliced chicken breasts, the temperature should be set to 375°F and cooked for 10 minutes on one side. Then, brush both sides with barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For chicken drumsticks, the temperature should be set to 400°F and cooked for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, as well as the specific air fryer being used. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature.

Frequently asked questions