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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken (Healthy, Juicy, 20 Minutes!)
5 from 16 votes

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken (Healthy, Juicy, 20 Minutes!)

This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe yields tender, juicy chicken breasts coated with a smoky seasoning blend and finished with a brush of barbecue sauce. The air fryer cooks the meat quickly and evenly, preserving moisture while creating a slight char. The seasoning mix includes paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, offering a simple but flavorful base.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 176 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. chicken breast ~3 large breasts, boneless, skinless
  • cooking spray or olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp paprika
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup BBQ sauce I used G Hugh’s sugar free, 80g

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  3. Pound the chicken to an even thickness if needed. Then go to butterfly chicken, but cut in half completely down the middle to make two thinner breasts from each breast (i.e. my 3 large breasts made 6 breasts).
  4. Spray both sides of the chicken with cooking spray. Then season both sides with the seasoning mix, pressing down with your fingers to get it to stay on.
  5. Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the basket with cooking spray and add the chicken in a single layer so it’s not overlapping (you may have to do a couple of batches). Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
  6. Brush chicken with BBQ sauce and cook for another 1-2 minutes or internal temp is 155F (carryover cooking will ensure chicken reaches 165F).
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate or cutting board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting (this will help keep it juicy). Serve with more BBQ sauce if desired and enjoy!

Notes

  • Allow chicken to come to room temperature before cooking to reduce uneven cooking and drying.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer; cook in batches if necessary to promote even cooking.
  • Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness to ensure even doneness.
  • Remove chicken when internal temperature reaches 155°F; resting raises it to the safe 165°F and keeps meat moist.
  • Cooking times may vary by air fryer model; check doneness with a thermometer for best results.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/6 of chicken (149g) Calories 176kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 0.9g (5%) Sugar -4g (-8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 176

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/6 of chicken (149g)
Calories 176kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 0.9g 5%
Sugar -4g -8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.