Description
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken breasts with a perfectly smoky BBQ glaze, all cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, cracked pepper, sea salt, and optional cayenne for a touch of heat, then cooked to perfection and finished with a delicious BBQ sauce glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ – 2 lb chicken breast (3–4 boneless, skinless breasts)
Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Others
- Olive oil or oil spray
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning: Combine paprika, garlic powder, cracked pepper, sea salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Set this spice mixture aside for seasoning the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then rub or spray both sides lightly with olive oil. Coat the chicken evenly with the prepared spice rub mixture.
- Cook in Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Place the seasoned chicken breasts inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Add BBQ Sauce: After the initial cooking, spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the cooked chicken breasts. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for another 1-2 minutes just until the BBQ sauce is heated through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken moist and tender. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase cayenne pepper according to taste or omit it if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure safe and juicy chicken.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce variation to customize the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
