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

Making barbecue chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to satisfy your barbecue cravings. It's perfect for those who don't want to stand in the hot sun over a grill or slave over a hot grill in the summer heat. This method also makes the skin of the chicken extra crispy and the barbecue sauce keeps the meat moist.

Choosing your chicken

Most recipes recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, you can also use bone-in chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, or chicken thighs. If you opt for bone-in or skin-on chicken, keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer. For even cooking, it is best to use chicken pieces that are similar in size and thickness. If your chicken breasts are thick, you can pound them to make them thinner and ensure even cooking.

The weight of the chicken you need will depend on the number of people you are serving. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about half a pound of chicken per person. So, for a group of four people, you would need around two pounds of chicken.

When selecting your chicken, look for pieces that are fresh and have a pale pink colour. Avoid chicken with discoloured or bruised areas. You can also check the "best before" date on the package to ensure you are using chicken that is within its recommended timeframe.

Once you have chosen your chicken, you can move on to preparing and seasoning it according to your chosen recipe.

Preparing your chicken

Firstly, select the right type of chicken. Most recipes recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking. However, you can also use chicken drumsticks or bone-in chicken thighs for a longer cooking time. If you're using chicken breasts, it's best to choose thinner ones or slice them in half if they are too thick. You can also pound the chicken to ensure they are of uniform thickness, which helps with even cooking.

Next, create your spice rub. In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices. The exact spices used can vary based on your preferences, but common ones include garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also add brown sugar and chilli powder for extra flavour.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken with oil and the spice rub. Brush or spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil or avocado oil. Then, sprinkle the spice mix generously over the chicken, patting or pressing it down to ensure the spices adhere well to the meat.

Finally, prepare your air fryer basket. Brush or spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking. You can also use parchment paper liners. Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces don't overlap or stack.

Your chicken is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Follow the temperature and timing guidelines provided in your chosen recipe for perfectly cooked barbecue chicken.

Making your spice rub

To make the spice rub, simply combine the spices in a small bowl and mix well. You can adjust the quantities of each spice to suit your taste. Once you have a well-combined mixture, you can then rub it onto the chicken.

Before applying the spice rub, it is recommended to brush the chicken with oil, as this will help the spices adhere to the meat. You can use olive oil or avocado oil for this step. Brush the oil onto both sides of the chicken, then sprinkle the spice rub over the surface, gently pressing it into the meat to ensure it sticks. Repeat this process for the other side of the chicken.

You can also add some barbecue sauce to the chicken after it has been cooked. However, it is important to note that the sauce should only be added towards the end of the cooking process, as cooking the chicken with the sauce for the entire duration may cause it to burn.

Cooking your chicken

Firstly, you'll want to get your chicken to room temperature. This will ensure even cooking. If your chicken breasts are quite large, place them in a zip-top bag and pound them to a uniform thickness, or cut them in half lengthwise to make two thinner pieces.

Pat the chicken dry, then brush or rub with olive oil or another oil of your choice. This will help the spices stick to the chicken.

Next, you'll want to make your spice rub. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and/or cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken and gently press it in.

Now your chicken is ready for the air fryer! Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with a little space between each piece. Set the air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F, and cook for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes. You can then brush the chicken with barbecue sauce and cook for a further 1-3 minutes. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Adding the BBQ sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket and brush the barbecue sauce on both sides of each piece. You can also spread or generously spread the sauce all over and on the sides of the chicken. Then, place the chicken back in the air fryer for about 1-3 minutes. The sauce will cook quickly, so you don't need to put it in for too long.

If you are making barbecue chicken wings, follow the instructions for air fryer chicken wings. Cook the wings until the internal temperature reaches 170°F, then brush with sauce and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.

Frequently asked questions