Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with a smoky, caramelized BBQ glaze. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or game day snacks. Using simple ingredients and a fast air frying method, it locks in moisture and flavor while keeping the dish light and healthy.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
BBQ Glaze
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite smoky or tangy variety)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the seasoning stick better and create a crisp surface during cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts to build an even flavor base.
- Apply the BBQ Glaze: Brush a thin layer of olive oil on each chicken breast to help the sauce adhere. Then coat both sides generously with BBQ sauce. Optionally, add a sprinkle of lemon juice for brightness.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Final Glaze and Crisp: About 2-3 minutes before the chicken finishes cooking, brush on an additional layer of BBQ sauce. Continue air frying to caramelize the sauce into a sticky, smoky glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, keeping it juicy and tender before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space for proper air circulation.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; chicken is done at 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest after cooking for maximum juiciness.
- Adjust the BBQ sauce flavor to your liking before applying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken, BBQ chicken breasts, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken, smoky BBQ chicken, meal prep chicken, air fryer dinner