Juicy, flavorful, and ready in 25 minutes, this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is a weeknight game changer. Made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are coated in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, this recipe delivers all the classic BBQ flavors without firing up the grill. It’s perfect for busy families or anyone craving quick and easy comfort food!

You’ll also love this BBQ Chicken Garlic Toast and Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs!

A plate with sliced barbecue chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and a fresh green salad with sliced tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. A fork rests on the side of the plate.

If you’ve ever craved that rich and smoky bbq flavor but didn’t have the time (or the weather) to fire up the grill, this air fryer bbq chicken breast was made for you.

It gives you all of the sweet and tangy flavors of classic barbecue, but in a fraction of the time. 

The homemade BBQ sauce is made from ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices and caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer. The sauce creates a glossy coating that seals in the juices from the chicken. 

And because I love chicken with flavor, I tested this recipe in my air fryer 5 different times, with different sauces, to make sure it yielded tender and jucy chicken every single time. 

No dry chicken here, friends! Just tender and flavorful air fried chicken.

And with just a handful of staple ingredients, you can have this recipe prepped and ready to be devoured in less than 30 minutes.

A plate with barbecue-glazed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and a green salad with cherry tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs.

The air fryer circulates the heat around the chicken, giving it that slightly charred edge you’d expect from the grill, but without any outdoor cleanup.

And let’s not forget that the air fryer method to barbecue chicken is healthier than most BBQ chicken recipes. There’s no breading, no deep frying, and you can control exactly what goes into your sauce.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts?

Yes, but you will get the best taste from thawed chicken. If you must use frozen breasts, increase the cooking time by several minutes and make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, as you want the internal temperature to reach 165℉.

Flat lay of raw chicken breasts, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and spices in bowls and spoons on a white marble surface.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Chicken: boneless, skinless chicken breasts work the best for this recipe.
  • Ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar: the key to that sweet flavor.
  • Seasonings: to give the chicken that smoky flavor.
A silicone brush spreads barbecue sauce onto a raw chicken breast placed on a light-colored ceramic plate.
Two barbecued chicken breasts with a shiny glaze are cooking in a black air fryer basket.

How Long Should I Cook Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer?

When cooking at 375℉, medium boneless, skinless breasts will take about 16-20 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Can I Use Bottled Sauce Instead of Homemade?

Absolutely! Just swap in about ½ cup of store-bought sauce for the chicken.

What are the Best Sides to Serve with BBQ Chicken?

I love to serve this chicken recipe with some roasted veggies, like these ranch mushrooms or garlic parmesan carrots. This queso mac and cheese or my creamy mac and cheese also pairs deliciously as an easy side dish. 

A white plate with barbecued chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and a green salad with cherry tomatoes and shredded cheese. A bowl of BBQ sauce, pepper grinder, and parsley garnish are nearby on a marble surface.

Variations:

  • Make it spicy: add some cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the BBQ mixture. 
  • Add some honey: swap out the brown sugar for 1-2 tablespoons of honey for a honey BBQ flavor.
  • Smokier: add a touch more of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
  • Use another protein: instead of breasts, use boneless chicken thighs or pork chops.

How to Store:

Leftovers (if you have any!) will last in a container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

  • To reheat: you can microwave until the chicken is warmed through or air fry at 350℉ for several minutes.
  • To freeze: let the chicken cool to room temperature and then place in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

Tip for Making BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer:

  • Pound the chicken to even thickness: if your chicken breasts are large and/or uneven, give them a quick pound. This will help them cook quicker and more evenly.
  • Large pieces of chicken: you can slice each breast in half lengthwise to form 4 pieces. This works well if you want leftover or if you have more than 2 people to serve.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: make sure the chicken is in an even, single layer so the air can circulate around the chicken for even cooking.
  • Brush on the sauce twice: when you flip the chicken halfway through cooking, brush on another coat of bbq sauce for extra flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer: to be sure the chicken is cooked all the way through, use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
  • Let the chicken rest: before you slice the chicken, let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes so that it can retain its juices and not dry out.
A plate with mashed potatoes, barbecue-glazed chicken breast, and a fresh salad with cherry tomatoes and shredded cheese. Wooden bowls with salt and pepper are in the background on a white surface.

Looking for More Chicken Dinner Ideas? I’ve Got You Covered!

A plate with sliced barbecue chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and a fresh green salad with sliced tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. A fork rests on the side of the plate.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Juicy, flavorful, and ready in 25 minutes, this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is a weeknight game changer. Made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are coated in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, this recipe delivers all the classic BBQ flavors without firing up the grill. It's perfect for busy families or anyone craving quick and easy comfort food!
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Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer (if your model has this option) to 375℉
  • In a small bowl, add the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika and stir well to combine.
  • Brush the sauce onto each chicken breast, coating both sides. Leave a little sauce in the bowl, as you'll coat the chicken halfway through air frying.
  • Add a parchment paper liner to the air fryer basket (if using) and place the chicken in a single layer in basket. Air fry for 7 minutes, then flip each chicken breast, brush with more sauce, and cook for another 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink (the chicken should reach and internal temperature of 165℉.)
  • Optional: brush any remaining sauce over the chicken just before serving.

Notes

  • The bbq sauce is sweet and smoky, but if you like a little spice, you can add some hot sauce or cayenne to the mixture.
  • Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat: microwave until warmed through or reheat in the air fryer at 350℉ for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.
  • To freeze: place into a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, let thaw completely in the refrigerator. 
  • See my tips and tricks for making this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken above the recipe box.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 382kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 50g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 145mg, Sodium: 1315mg, Potassium: 1096mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 868IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 2mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
Author: Gayle
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @pumpkin_n_spice on Instagram or tag #pumpkin_n_spice.