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

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook barbecue chicken without having to stand in the hot sun over a grill. This method also makes the skin of the chicken extra crispy and thus extra delicious. The barbecue sauce keeps the chicken nice and moist, balancing out the crunch of the skin perfectly.

Ingredients:

- Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)

- Barbecue sauce

- Olive oil

- Spices (such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 360-390°F (around 5 minutes).

2. Prepare the chicken by patting it dry and pounding it to an even thickness.

3. Create a spice rub by mixing smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

4. Brush the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle the spice rub over both sides.

5. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

6. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F.

7. Brush barbecue sauce on both sides of the chicken.

8. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

When it comes to choosing the type of chicken, you have two main options: boneless or bone-in. Boneless chicken breasts are a popular choice for air fryer BBQ chicken as they cook more evenly and quickly. However, bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks or thighs can also be used and will result in juicy, flavourful meat. If you opt for bone-in chicken, keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer.

Chicken Thickness

For even cooking and the best results, it is recommended to use chicken breasts that are of similar thickness. If you end up with a chicken breast that is thicker on one side, you can simply pound it to make it more uniform in thickness. This will help ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and prevents overcooking or undercooking.

Chicken Quantity

The amount of chicken you need will depend on the number of people you're serving and their appetites. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about 8 ounces (225 grams) of chicken per person. This will typically be one boneless, skinless chicken breast per person. However, if you're using bone-in chicken, you may need to adjust the quantity as they tend to have a higher bone-to-meat ratio.

Fresh or Frozen Chicken

It is generally recommended to use fresh chicken for air fryer BBQ chicken. However, if you want to use frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. Do not cook frozen chicken in the air fryer as it will not cook evenly and may not reach the safe internal temperature.

Chicken Quality

When selecting your chicken, opt for high-quality, fresh meat from a reputable source. Look for chicken with a natural colour and avoid any packages with an excessive amount of liquid. Check the "best before" date to ensure you're using chicken that is within its shelf life.

In summary, choosing the right chicken for your air fryer BBQ chicken involves selecting the appropriate type, thickness, and quantity, as well as ensuring it is fresh and of good quality. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and successful air fryer BBQ chicken dish.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, select the right type of chicken. You can use either boneless or bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe. If you opt for boneless chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness to ensure more uniform cooking. This step is not necessary but recommended for bone-in chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs or drumsticks for this recipe, but the cooking time may vary slightly.

Next, create your spice rub. In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices. A simple spice blend could include garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also add other spices like onion powder, oregano, or ground mustard to enhance the flavour. Mix the spices well.

Now, it's time to prepare the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Then, brush or spray both sides of the chicken with oil. The oil will help the spices adhere to the meat and add moisture during cooking. After oiling the chicken, sprinkle the spice rub generously over both sides, gently pressing it into the meat.

Once the chicken is seasoned, it's ready for the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 360°F and 400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare a barbecue sauce if you plan to use one. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, consider brushing it with oil or lining it with aluminium foil to prevent sticking. Cook the chicken for the recommended time, flipping it halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, but it usually takes around 10 minutes per side for boneless chicken breasts.

After the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate or cutting board. Brush both sides of the chicken with your chosen barbecue sauce. Return the sauced chicken to the air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the sauce.

Your air fryer barbecue chicken is now ready to be served! Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy your delicious, juicy, and crispy barbecue chicken!

Making the sauce

If you're using a store-bought sauce, simply open the jar and pour some into a small bowl or ramekin. You can add more sauce to the bowl as you go if you need to, but you'll want to start with at least a thin layer to brush onto the chicken.

If you're making your own sauce, you can follow one of the many recipes available online. Most barbecue sauces include a combination of tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, and various spices. You can adjust the quantities of these ingredients to suit your taste, and you can also add other ingredients such as honey, molasses, or different types of spices to create a unique flavour.

Once you have your sauce ready, the next step is to brush it onto the chicken. This is usually done towards the end of the cooking process, as barbecue sauce cooks quickly and can easily burn.

Cooking the chicken

Firstly, you'll want to get your chicken breasts ready. The recipes I found recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use bone-in breasts or thighs—just be aware that these will take longer to cook. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, you may want to pound them so that they're all of an even thickness, which will help them cook more evenly.

Next, you'll need to prepare your seasoning. Most recipes suggest a simple combination of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, but you can also add ground mustard, brown sugar, oregano, or onion powder. Stir your chosen spices together in a small bowl.

Now it's time to rub the seasoning into the chicken. Spray or brush both sides of the chicken breasts with oil, then sprinkle the seasoning over them, gently pressing it into the meat.

Spray or brush oil into the basket of your air fryer, then place the chicken inside. Set the air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F and heat for 8-10 minutes. After this time, flip the chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes. The chicken is ready to be flipped when the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Once the chicken is cooked, spread BBQ sauce generously over the top and sides, then return it to the air fryer for another 1-3 minutes. The sauce will cook quickly, so keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.

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

Serving suggestions

Air fryer BBQ chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas:

• As a stand-alone main course, with a side of your choice. Suggested sides include salad, pasta salad, potatoes, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, broccoli, or roasted vegetables.
• Cut into pieces and added to a salad or pizza topping.
• Used to make a chicken wrap, sandwich, or salad.
• Served with rice, farro, mashed potatoes, fresh pineapple or fruit salad, homemade chips and guacamole, sweet potato chunks or fries, or air-fried asparagus, carrots, or broccoli.
• Accompanied by traditional BBQ fare such as cornbread, salad, and baked beans.
• As part of a larger meal, such as BBQ chicken and ribs.
• With specific sides such as air fryer corn on the cob, ranch potato salad, mac and cheese casserole, sweet potato fries, or coleslaw.

Frequently asked questions