This delicious and juicy chicken breast is made right in your Air Fryer after being covered with bbq seasoning. It's perfect as a main course with a side or on a salad.
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
Chicken breast have always been a staple in my kitchen. Although thighs tend to be my favorite, as you can see in this Lemon Pepper Chicken Thigh Recipe, I also like to have a good chicken breast recipe in my back pocket.
Since summer is on the horizon, I’ve been craving BBQ and have been making this BBQ Chicken Breast recipe in my Air Fryer. It’s so quick and easy it’s ridiculous.
The Air Fryer produces some of the juiciest chicken you will ever try. No more dry over cooked chicken breast if you use the Air Fryer.
I use my homemade bbq seasoning for this recipe. You can change up the seasoning if you like. But if you aren’t making chicken breast in your Air Fryer, you are totally missing out.
I like to start with using chicken breast that are about the same size, 6 ounces. That ensures that the meat cooks quickly and evenly.
How to make BBQ Chicken Breast in your Air Fryer?
First, I put my dry rub seasoning on the chicken and rub it into both sides. I then cover and place the chicken in the fridge and allow that dry rub to sit on the chicken for about 45 minutes.
Then, I preheat my Air Fryer to 400 degrees. Technically, you don’t have to preheat your Air Fryer as it gets to temperature quite quickly. But old habits die hard and for certain recipes, especially chicken breast and steak, I like to preheat my Air Fryer. It only takes about 2 - 3 minutes.
Once you have preheated your Air Fryer, add the chicken breast to the basket. Spray your chicken breast with a little oil, it makes a difference and provides a juicier flavorful breast.
Close the basket and allow the chicken to cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 13-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check your chicken with a quick read thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 degrees.
Once your chicken is done, remove and set on a plate. Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
And there you have it!
This recipe is perfect for meal prep for the week. Serve in on a salad, eat it by itself, the possibilities are endless.
Until the next recipe.
Looking for more Air Fryer recipes? Try these out:
- Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Sticky BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Perfect Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Hot Honey Butter
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast about 6 oz each
- 1-2 Tablespoon bbq seasoning
Instructions
- Cover both sides of chicken breast with bbq seasoning. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken breast in Air Fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. Spray with oil.
- Cook for 13-14 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Remove chicken when chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Place on plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Sandy says
Cooking chicken in my air fryer has been great. Thank you for the recipe! Loved it!
Ann Brekke says
I've wanted an air fryer like forever. I got one as a gift and had no clue what to do with the darn thing. Thank goodness for you Tanya! Can't wait to try your recipes.
Phil says
How do you make dry rub
Tanya says
https://www.myforkinglife.com/homemade-bbq-seasoning/
connie says
can i make this in my power 8 qt air fryer??
Tanya says
Sure. This recipe would work in any air fryer, you may just have to increase the time by a few minutes for larger air fryers.
Natalie Seeman says
Could I make this with regular BBQ sauce instead of a dry rub?
Tanya says
You could, but I would wait until the last 5 minutes to add the bbq sauce. The sauce is more likely to burn if in the air fryer for too long. I would season with a little salt and pepper, cook, then add bbq sauce the last 5 minutes.
Barbara Cordova says
Have you tried this on salmon? I am making this delicious sounding chicken this weekend. Will comment then.
Tanya says
Actually, I haven't. But it sounds delicious. I'd just change the cooktimes for salmon.
Rusty says
This was perfect for my family of six! Thanks for publishing it. Might be my new way to cook chicken breast.
Tanya says
Yay, so glad you liked it Rusty. Chicken breast in the air fryer is pretty great.
Mary D Robbins says
Unfortunately, I didn't have smoked paprika on hand so I used regular paprika instead, still a winner! It was very good and not a crumb left over! I want to try the smoked paprika next time but either way, this is a keeper!
Tanya says
Thank you so much. I've used regular too when I ran out of smoked but that smoked is such a game changer.
Jeffrey S Allen says
Amount of time was really off. Takes like 30 minutes 15 per side..
Tanya says
Hi Jeffrey, the cooktime will depend on the size of the chicken breast. The cooktimes suggested are for 6 oz breast. Any larger will need additional cooking time.
Helene Montone says
What is your recipe for the dry rub BBQ chicken?
Tanya says
Hi Helene, there is a link for the bbq seasoning in the recipe card. If you click "bbq seasoning" that's listed in the ingredients it will take you to the recipe.
Marilyn Kolar says
Awesome flavor! for some reason I added 2 tbsp. of the Smoked Paprika to my seasonings but my husband loved it lol. This is a keeper, thank you!
Tanya says
Thank you for the feedback 🙂 Smoked paprika is delish so I bet that seasonings is still amazing.
chris says
enjoyed this recipe very much
Richard Harbaugh says
You are a great cook I love your recipes!
Tanya says
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it.