Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Weeknight dinner is a breeze with this quick and easy bbq chicken made in the air fryer. Only four ingredients needed to make this tasty recipe!

Like most of you, I’ve fallen in love with my air fryer. 

While I use it for breakfast and side dishes the most, I’ve recently been utilizing it to cook chicken breast. The chicken comes out perfectly cooked and juicy every time! And clean up is a breeze. 

Since BBQ chicken is one of our go-to dinner mains, I thought I’d share how I make it quickly and easily in the air fryer. Your whole family will love it!

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Ingredients

• Chicken – I’m including instructions for all different cuts of chicken, but skin-on drumsticks and thighs are my favorite. 
• Oil – I prefer olive oil or avocado oil.
• Seasoning – Use any seasoning blend you prefer. I use Lawry’s seasoning salt or a BBQ rub. 
• BBQ Sauce – Any BBQ sauce will work, so use your favorite. 

How To Make

1. Sprinkle the seasoning over chicken, then bush each piece with the oil.
2. Bake in air fryer for 15 minutes at 400F.
3. Brush each piece with BBQ Sauce. 
4. Return to the air fryer and bake for 5 more minutes, until chicken skin begins to brown. 

Types of BBQ Chicken in The Air Fryer

You can use any kind of chicken cut to make this recipe. You’ll use the same cooking method I showed you above, but the cook temperature and time may be a little different.

To make things easy, I have listed all of the cook temperatures and times below. 

Legs & Thighs

Cook at 400F for 15 minutes, then baste with BBQ sauce and cook an additional 5 minutes. 

Breasts & Tenders

Breasts

Cook at 375F for 12 minutes, then baste with BBQ sauce and cook an additional 5 minutes. 

Tenders

Cook at 375F for 7 minutes, then baste with BBQ sauce and cook an additional 5 minutes. 

Wings

Cook at 400F for 6 minutes on each side, then flip once more and baste with BBQ sauce. Cook another 5 minutes until sauce thickens. 

Tips

1. This recipe is perfect for meal prep! I often make it on Sundays and have one serving for dinner, then place the rest in meal prep containers with some frozen veggies to have for lunch the rest of the week. 
2. Need to double the recipe? Keep the first batch warm in the oven on a baking sheet at 200 F. 
3. Prep in advance to make dinner easy. Season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Keep in an air tight container in the fridge until ready to oil and bake.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Best Chicken Marinade
• Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
• Cheese Stuffed Buffalo Grilled Chicken

Other Air Fryer Recipes

• Custard Toast

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