Quick and easy is what this recipe is all about! With just two ingredients, an air fryer, and a few simple sides, dinner will be ready in just 15 minutes!
Serve it as a stand-alone main entree, tossed in a salad, or use it to make barbecue chicken pizza - it's a kid favorite no matter how it's served!
While raising kids, I've discovered that their pallets are pretty simple. While many other recipes will suggest that you add a 'rub' to chicken before adding the barbecue sauce, I have found that it's really not necessary.
Simple for the win, yet again!
Although this recipe can be made in the oven, using an air fryer saves so much time because it heats up quickly and cooks so much faster.
If your kids like chicken as much as mine do, you've got to make my Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken. Or if you prefer a non-air fryer recipe that has somewhat of a barbecue flavor, try my sloppy joes. I'm pretty sure both of these recipes will surprise you with just how good they are.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to prep. No need to pre-heat the oven or start your grill.
- Great for weekly meal prepping. Put this in the air fryer while other foods are cooking in your oven or on the stovetop.
- Two ingredients.
- 15-minute recipe.
- Kid-friendly. The size of thin-sliced chicken breast is more appealing to most kids because they don't require as much chewing as standard sized chicken breast.
- Pairs well with any side, like rice, farro, sweet potato chunks, kale salad, Caesar salad, and/or homemade guacamole and tortilla chips (air fryer).
- Classic barbecue chicken flavor that can be served as a 'main dish' or cut up and used to top pizza or salads.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Good source of protein. Thin-sliced chicken breast can be purchased from most grocery stores. It does cost a little more than standard sized chicken breast, so you may want to slice your own by carefully cutting a standard-sized chicken breast through the center horizontally.
- Barbecue sauce Use your family favorite barbecue sauce. I usually use a sweet barbecue sauce from Trader Joe's or Sweet Baby Rays brand.
Dietitian Tip
Did you know it's illegal to give chickens hormones? That's right! Whether you buy conventional or organic chicken, no hormones are used in the raising of chickens.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Coat your air fryer basket with a high heat oil, like avocado oil, to prevent food from sticking.
- Brush a light layer of barbecue sauce on the top side of the thin sliced chicken breast.
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer on the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 375 degrees for ten minutes.
- Brush a thicker layer of barbecue sauce on both sides of the chicken pieces. Return to air fryer basket.
- Air fry for another four minutes. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Serve and enjoy.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
How to Serve Leftover Barbecue Chicken
- Simply reheat leftover barbecue chicken and serve it as is with various sides dishes. Barbecue chicken is so versatile. It can be served with everything from homemade applesauce to Roasted Brussel Sprouts and mashed potatoes.
- Cut up barbecue chicken into small pieces and it to a salad or use it as a pizza topping. Barbecue chicken pizza, anyone? 🙂
- Use it to make a chicken wrap, barbecue chicken sandwich, or chicken salad.
Expert Tips
- To save on cost, buy standard chicken breasts and slice them in half yourself using a good quality, sharp kitchen knife.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to confirm the thicken has reached an internal temperature of 165.
- Barbecue sauce cooks fast and will overcook if it's in the air fryer for too long. This is why more is added toward the end of the cooking process.
- Place the drip pan under your air fryer basket or use parchment paper safe for your air fryer basket.
- Never use aerosol spray cans in your air fryer.
- It’s best to use a good quality oil mister or use a silicone basting brush to brush oil on to the air fryer basket to prevent food from sticking.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer (at least not the air fryer I use).
- I use the Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Love it!
- Different air fryers might require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to properly and safely use your air fryer.
Recipe FAQs
Let the chicken cool completely. Once cooled, put the leftover barbecue chicken in an airtight food-safe storage container or resealable bag before placing in the refrigerator. Use refrigerated leftovers within three to four days.
The answer depends on how thick the chicken pieces are, which air fryer you are using, and whether the chicken is fresh or frozen that you will be air frying. I'd say the range is probably anywhere from seven to twenty minutes for chicken that is not frozen.
If you thaw it first, yes! I have not tried making this using chicken that is still frozen. You would need to cook the chicken longer before adding the first layer barbecue sauce.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Did your kids love this incredible barbecue chicken? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!
Don't forget to snap a pic of their delicious BBQ chicken with all of their favorite sides and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!
15-Minute Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Equipment
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast thin sliced
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Coat your air fryer basket with a high heat oil, like avocado oil, to prevent food from sticking.
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer on the air fryer basket.
- Brush a light layer of barbecue sauce on the top side of the thin sliced chicken breast.
- Air fry at 375° for ten minutes.
- Brush a thicker layer of barbecue sauce on both sides of the chicken pieces.
- Return to air fryer basket. Air fry for another three to four minutes.
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Thin-sliced chicken breasts cook faster than standard-sized chicken breast.
- To save on cost, buy standard chicken breasts and slice them in half yourself using a good quality, sharp kitchen knife.
- Barbecue sauce cooks fast and will overcook if it's in the air fryer for too long. This is why more is added toward the end of the cooking process.
- Place the drip pan under your air fryer basket or use parchment paper safe for your air fryer basket.
- Never use aerosol spray cans in your air fryer.
- It’s best to use a good quality oil mister or use a silicone basting brush to brush oil on to the air fryer basket to prevent food from sticking.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer (at least not the air fryer I use).
- I use the Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Love it!
- Different air fryers might require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to properly and safely use your air fryer.
Nutrition
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