These juicy and caramelized air fryer BBQ chicken breasts are ready in just 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients. A flavorful, healthy, and easy weeknight dinner and meal prep!
This chicken was awesome!! I love air fryer chicken, it makes the chicken breast so juicy! The flavor of this BBQ added so much flavor and was amazing. ★★★★★
- Rachel
Air frying chicken is hands-down my favorite way to cook it. It turns out super juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside—no oil needed! Some go-to favorites are these viral air fryer chicken thighs, crispy air fryer chicken cutlets, and flavorful air fryer buffalo chicken breasts.
Now this air fryer BBQ chicken? It's next level. It's coated in tangy barbecue sauce that caramelizes as it cooks, making each bite sticky, sweet, and so flavorful. No marinating or dry rubs needed—just pop it in the air fryer, and in 15 minutes, dinner is done.
It's perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even summer cookouts. Quick, easy, and totally delicious—especially paired with a kale crunch salad for a no-fuss dinner!
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this recipe:
- The ingredients
- Step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer BBQ chicken breast
- Top Tips
- Equipment
- Substations & Variations
- Serving suggestions:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store & Meal Prep
- More easy air fryer chicken recipes!
- Did you make this recipe?
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll love this recipe:
- 15-Minute Dinner: I don't have time to cook for hours during the week, and these air fryer BBQ chicken breasts are done in just 15 minutes. The perfect, easy protein for the family.
- Healthy: This air fryer chicken uses low-sugar BBQ sauce, so it's a healthier option that's lower in sugar but still full of flavor.
- Only 3 ingredients: All you need is chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, and a little olive oil.
- Packed with protein: Each serving has 36 grams of protein to keep you full and satisfied.
The ingredients
Chicken breast. Use three medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They turn out super tender and juicy in the air fryer. You can also use chicken thighs—check the recipe card for details.
BBQ sauce. Adds that perfect tangy, smoky flavor. I like using a sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep it lighter.
Spices. A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper gives the chicken extra flavor.
Step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer BBQ chicken breast
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and lightly spray the basket with olive oil or avocado oil.
Step One: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with the spice mix.
Step Two: Pop them into the air fryer for 10 minutes. Then, flip the chicken with tongs, then air fry for another 4-6 minutes.
Step Three: Brush on the BBQ sauce and air fry for 1–2 more minutes until it's caramelized and the chicken hits 165°F.
Step Four: Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving!
Top Tips
- Use a meat thermometer: For the juiciest chicken, cook until it reaches 165°F internally—no guessing needed.
- Brush on the BBQ sauce at the end: This lets it caramelize perfectly without burning.
- Don't overcrowd: Arrange the chicken in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Work in batches if needed.
- Let it rest before slicing: Resting the air fryer BBQ chicken breasts for 5 minutes keeps all those juices locked in.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Cooking spray
- Paper towels
Substations & Variations
- Chicken thighs option: Swap chicken breasts for thighs. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4–6 minutes.
- Make it spicy: Use spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
- Make it gluten-free: This recipe is already gluten-free—no breading needed.
- Make it dairy-free: It's naturally dairy-free as well!
Serving suggestions:
- Fresh Salad: Try this kale crunch salad or this cucumber carrot salad.
- With quinoa or brown rice
- Grilled or Roasted Veggies: Try air fryer broccoli and cauliflower or these cauliflower pizza bites.
- On a bun: Turn it into a BBQ chicken sandwich.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Try these air fryer sweet potato wedges.
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the Cob
- Garlic Bread: Try this garlic bread recipe.
- Pasta Salad: Add BBQ chicken to Greek chickpea pasta salad or Caesar pasta salad.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cornbread: We love this healthy cornbread recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Using a meat thermometer is key to avoiding overcooking. Pull the chicken out once it hits 165°F, and let it rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices.
Yes! You can swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs. Simply air fry for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until fully cooked. Thighs may need an extra minute or two to reach 165°F.
The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for perfect juiciness.
Absolutely! You can use any BBQ sauce you like, but for a healthier option, try a low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce. Just be sure to add it near the end of cooking to prevent burning.
Definitely! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Cook and store the chicken in the fridge or freeze it for later. Just be sure to add BBQ sauce when reheating for the best flavor.
How to Store & Meal Prep
Store any leftover air fryer BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For reheating, the air fryer works best to keep the chicken crispy—just heat at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. You can also microwave it, though the texture won't be quite as crispy.
More easy air fryer chicken recipes!
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 3 medium chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce, I love Stubb’s sugar-free
- Avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and lightly grease basket with olive oil or avocado spray.
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning mix.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, and then use your hands to evenly season with the spices.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken breasts with tongs and air fry for another 4 - 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and generously top with BBQ sauce.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (I love using this meat thermometer).
- Let chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving!
Notes
Nutrition
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Rachel says
This chicken was awesome!! I love air fryer chicken, makes the chicken breast so juicy! The flavor of this bbq added so much flavor and was amazing.