Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is such an easy weeknight meal that is made with only 6 ingredients and is ready in less than 30 minutes! 

a scoop of air fried bbq chicken on a spoon

If you haven’t started putting your air fryer to use yet, you have to!

It’s such a time saver and makes dinner time less stressful. If you have older kids, the little appliance is so simple to work that they can even start making their own snacks! 

One of my favorites is barbeque chicken on the grill, but nowadays with a toddler and the summer heat, I don’t really like all the time it takes.

So I decided to adjust the recipe so I could air fry it instead! 

air fried barbecue chicken diced into cubes in a bowl

In case you didn’t know you can make just about anything air fried and it’s delicious.

Even recipes like air fried french toast sticks and party chex mix

If you need more healthy chicken recipes, you are definitely in the right place! Don’t leave before you save a few of those! 

Ingredients Needed 

  • chicken
  • garlic salt
  • onion powder
  • cracked pepper
  • cayenne pepper
  • bbq sauce
a scoop of air fried bbq chicken on a spoon

How to Make BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer 

Combine the seasonings in a small bowl and set aside. 

Pat the chicken breasts dry, and dice into 1 inch cubes, then spray with oil. 

Coat the chicken in the spices so it’s evenly distributed. 

Spray the air fryer basket with a little oil or non-stick spray then pour the chicken in. 

Air fry at 360 degrees for 9 minutes. 

Flip the chicken once it has cooked for 9 minutes, then continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes. 

Cover the chicken in barbeque sauce and return it back to the basket for another minute. 

four image collage showing how to make bbq chicken in the air fryer

Take the BBQ chicken out and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Tips for Making 

  • If you are using air fryer parchment paper liners, never place them in the basket while the appliance is preheating. They tend to fly around and are a potential fire risk. 
  • I chose to cube my chicken first so it would cook faster. You can also place the whole chicken breast in and cube once it has finished cooking. 
  • If needed, use a meat pallet to pound the chicken first so you can get even pieces. 
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
  • You can easily double or triple this recipe, you may just need to cook in batches depending on how big your air fryer is. 
  • Before serving make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
cubed chicken coated in bbq sauce in a bowl

What To Serve With Barbeque Chicken 

Here are some of our healthy favorites, but I also have a full guide, The BEST Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken you should check out! 

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes: 

a scoop of air fried bbq chicken on a spoon

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is such an easy weeknight meal that is made with only 6 ingredients and is ready in less than 30 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1.25-1.5 lb chicken cubed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/3 cup bbq sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mix your garlic salt, onion powder, cracked pepper and cayenne together. Set aside. Pound chicken if needed to make the thickness as even as possible.
  • Pat the chicken breasts dry, dice into 1×1 inch cubes and then spray with oil.
  • Add the diced chicken to a bowl and sprinkle the spice rub over the oil sprayed chicken. Coat diced chicken evenly.
  • Spray the air fryer basket and lay the chicken in an even layer.
  • Close the air fryer, set it 360°F and cook for 9 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken after 9 minutes and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is 165°F internal temperature.
  • Spread the BBQ sauce generously on top of the chicken and return to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes to heat the BBQ sauce.
  • Remove and allow the chicken to cool slightly before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    This was great and very easy. Instead of BBQ sauce I tossed the chicken with buffalo sauce and made a salad. My husband and I both loved it and will be a repeat for sure. Thanks for such a quick and easy dinner idea.

5 from 1 vote

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