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

Air fryers are a great way to make barbecue chicken, and it only takes about 20 minutes. You'll need chicken breasts, preferably boneless and skinless, and a few spices for a dry rub: garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. You can also add some cayenne pepper for heat and ground mustard or brown sugar for extra flavour. First, rub the chicken with oil, then add the spices. Put the chicken in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 360-380°F, flip, and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Take the chicken out, brush with barbecue sauce, and put it back in the air fryer for a final 1-3 minutes.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

When making barbecue chicken in an air fryer, it is best to use boneless and skinless chicken breasts. Thinner chicken breasts work better as they cook more evenly and quickly. If you have thicker chicken breasts, consider slicing them in half or pounding them to an even thickness. This will ensure that your chicken cooks uniformly and prevents overcooking or undercooking.

You can also use other cuts of chicken, such as chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings. However, keep in mind that the cooking time will vary depending on the type of chicken you choose. For example, bone-in chicken breasts or chicken legs will take longer to cook than boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Chicken Quality

Always opt for fresh, high-quality chicken from a reputable source. Look for chicken with a natural colour and avoid any packages with an excessive amount of liquid. When purchasing packaged chicken, ensure the expiration date is not too close to the current date.

Quantity

The amount of chicken you need will depend on the number of people you are serving and their appetites. As a general guideline, plan for one chicken breast per person for a standard serving. However, if you are serving larger portions or want leftovers, you may need to adjust the quantity accordingly.

Preparation

Before cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This will help the spices and oil adhere better to the surface of the chicken. If you have time, allowing the chicken to come to room temperature before cooking can also help ensure more even cooking.

In conclusion, selecting the right chicken for your air fryer barbecue chicken is simple. Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, with a thickness that allows for even cooking. Ensure your chicken is fresh and of good quality, and adjust the quantity to suit your needs. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and successful barbecue chicken dish in your air fryer!

Preparing the air fryer

Before you start cooking your barbecue chicken, you'll want to make sure your air fryer is ready to go. Here are some steps to help you prepare your air fryer for cooking:

• Preheat the air fryer: Depending on the model, your air fryer may need to be preheated before cooking. Check your air fryer's instructions to see if preheating is necessary and how to do it properly. Some air fryers may not require preheating, so you can simply set the temperature and start cooking.
• Clean the air fryer basket: Make sure the air fryer basket is clean and dry before you begin. Remove any residue or leftover food from previous cooking sessions. A clean basket will ensure that your chicken doesn't stick and will help with even cooking.
• Oil the air fryer basket: To prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket, you can lightly coat it with oil. Use a cooking spray or brush a thin layer of oil onto the basket. This step is especially important if you're not using non-stick cooking spray later in the recipe.
• Prepare the drip pan: If your air fryer has a drip pan, line it with aluminium foil or parchment paper to catch any drippings from the chicken. This will make cleanup much easier later.
• Gather your ingredients: Make sure you have all the ingredients you need for the barbecue chicken recipe. This includes the chicken, barbecue sauce, and any spices or seasonings you plan to use. Having everything ready beforehand will make the cooking process smoother.
• Prepare the chicken: If your chicken breasts are thick, you may want to pound them lightly to ensure even cooking. You can also slice larger chicken breasts in half to create thinner pieces. This step is important for even cooking and to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
• Season the chicken: Create your spice rub by mixing the spices and seasonings of your choice. Then, coat the chicken breasts with oil and generously apply the spice rub, making sure it adheres well to the meat. You can also brush the chicken with barbecue sauce at this stage, but it's typically added towards the end of cooking to prevent burning.
• Set the temperature and timer: Adjust the temperature and timer on your air fryer according to the recipe you are following. Different recipes may require different temperatures and cooking times, so refer to specific instructions for barbecue chicken.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Follow the recipe instructions: Once the chicken is in the air fryer, follow the specific cooking instructions from your chosen barbecue chicken recipe. This may include flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process and brushing on additional barbecue sauce towards the end.

Remember to always follow the safety instructions and guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your air fryer for the best and safest results.

Making the spice rub

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients for the spice rub. You can customise the rub by adjusting the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. Here are some common ingredients used in a spice rub:

• Salt
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Brown sugar
• Dry mustard

Mixing the Spice Rub:

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for your spice rub. Mix them together thoroughly until they form a consistent blend. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to your liking, but be careful not to add too much salt, as it can easily overpower the other flavours.

Applying the Spice Rub:

Before applying the spice rub, prepare your chicken by patting it dry with a paper towel. This step ensures that the spices adhere better to the surface of the chicken. Next, you have two options for applying the spice rub:

• Sprinkle Method: Sprinkle the spice rub generously over the chicken, ensuring it coats all sides evenly. Gently press the spices into the chicken to help them stick.
• Paste Method: Some recipes suggest mixing the spice rub with a small amount of oil to create a paste. You can then brush or rub this paste all over the chicken, ensuring an even coating.

Once your chicken is coated with the spice rub, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer! Remember to follow the cooking instructions for your chosen BBQ chicken recipe.

Applying the sauce

Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F, it's time to apply the barbecue sauce. Brush the sauce generously over the top and sides of the chicken. You can also brush the sauce on both sides of the chicken.

After applying the sauce, place the chicken back in the air fryer for a final cook of around 1-3 minutes. The sauce will cook quickly, so you don't need to leave the chicken in the fryer for too long. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

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

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve barbecue chicken cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Salads and Wraps

You can cut up the chicken and add it to a salad or use it as a pizza topping. You could also use it to make a chicken wrap or sandwich.

Side Dishes

The chicken pairs well with many things, including salad, potatoes, pasta salad, rice, farro, mashed potatoes, fresh pineapple or fruit salad, homemade chips and guacamole, air-fried sweet potato chunks or fries, air-fried asparagus, carrots or broccoli, a simple lettuce or homemade Caesar salad, and roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts.

Other Ideas

You can also serve the chicken with mac and cheese, street corn, air fryer corn on the cob, broccoli salad with bacon, vinegar coleslaw, air fryer sweet potato fries, roasted sweet potatoes, stovetop mac and cheese, or Santa Fe chicken salad with honey cornbread muffins.

Frequently asked questions