In the summertime, I’m always looking for ways to add some fresh produce to my meals. That’s why I love this peach whiskey BBQ chicken! Chicken breasts cook up juicy and delicious in your air fryer, topped with a peach whiskey and fresh peach BBQ sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and delicious!
What is Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken?
Peach whiskey BBQ chicken is a savory and sweet dish that combines the flavors of tender chicken with a unique peach whiskey BBQ sauce. It’s naturally dairy free and low fat, so it works with a variety of dietary needs, as well as being delicious!
The homemade sauce features a blend of fresh peaches, peach whiskey, and complimentary barbecue sauce blend of spices.
It can truly be used on any cut of chicken, like wings, legs, drumsticks, thighs, or breasts. Since I’m making it in the air fryer, I’m using chicken breasts, since they come out juicy and delicious!
Katie’s Tip
You could also bake or grill, or use different cuts of chicken as you like. Check out my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters for tips if you want to make an entire quarter!
This chicken dish is a favorite for summer, since the peach whiskey BBQ sauce adds a rich, fruity, and slightly tangy glaze that adds great flavor to lean chicken. It’s perfect as the main course for dinner, but I also like to make extra to top a salad with for lunch the next day!
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Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken Ingredients
- 1 – 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or another cut of choice)
- ½ Tbsp olive oil (or another high smoke point oil of choice)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ⅓ cup whiskey peach BBQ sauce
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- All the seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission if there’s something you don’t like
- You can also use a store bought peach whiskey BBQ sauce or a whiskey BBQ sauce with 2 Tbsp peach preserves mixed in
- Garnishes are optional, but fresh parsley, sliced green onions, or grilled peaches (without any sweet stuff added to them) are great choices if desired!
How to Make Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Trim your chicken, then pat dry. Blend the spices together until well mixed
- Rub the olive oil over the outside of the chicken, and then sprinkle it evenly with the seasoning blend. You can throw them in a ziploc bag with the seasoning and shake to coat if you find that easier
- Place the chicken face down (the rounded side) into your air fryer’s basket or rack
- Cook on the air fry setting at 360°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The time can vary based on the size of your specific chicken breasts, so adjust as needed
- Baste on your peach whiskey BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is heated and the chicken reaches 165°F
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve!
Cooking Times For Other Chicken Cuts
- Wings: 20-30 minutes (flip every 10) total time, depending on size
- Thighs: 20-25 minutes
- Legs: 18-20 minutes
- Tenders: 8-10 minutes
- Breast Cutlets: 8-10 minutes
No matter which cut you use, make sure to cook your chicken until it reaches 160°F in the thickest part (without touching the bone, if you’re using a bone-in variety). Add the BBQ sauce in the last 3-5 minutes of cooking just to warm and finish it off to 165°F internally.
What to Serve With Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Macaroni salad
- Potato salad
- Corn on the cob
- Summer squash
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Cucumber salad
- Corn casserole
- Strawberry shortcake
- Peach cobbler
- Grilled peaches
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Peach cocktails
There are lots of great sides, desserts, and drinks to pair with peach whiskey BBQ chicken!
Try my quick Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob, Vinegar Cucumber Onion Salad, Air Fryer Corn Casserole, or Air Fryer Squash Casserole for some tasty sides.
For dessert, why not whip up an Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake, and don’t forget one of my amazing Crown Peach Drinks for the perfect cocktail compliment!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make peach whiskey BBQ chicken in an air fryer.
The air fryer helps to cook the chicken quickly, while keeping it moist and flavorful inside.
What Makes The BBQ Sauce Unique?
The addition of peaches and whiskey gives the BBQ sauce a distinctive sweetness and depth of flavor, setting it apart from traditional barbecue sauces.
It’s a perfect flavor twist for summer, as both the peaches and whiskey add fruit flavor that compliments the basic barbecue sauce well.
What Sides Go Well With Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken?
This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, such as grilled vegetables, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
For dessert, choose something fruity like peach cobbler, strawberry shortcake, or similar. A white wine, cold beer, or peach-flavored cocktail are great choices as well.
Is Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken Spicy?
The level of spiciness depends on how much spice you add to your BBQ sauce, but generally, the sauce is more sweet and tangy than spicy.
You can always add some cayenne or chipotle to the sauce or the chicken seasoning if you want to add more heat to your dish.
What Type Of Whiskey Should I Use in My Sauce?
Crown Royal peach whiskey is a great choice for use in your BBQ sauce, since it has natural peach flavor and a smooth taste.
However, you can use your preferred whiskey, but smoother, sweeter whiskey and bourbon works best to complement the peaches and BBQ sauce.
Recipe Tips For the Best Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken
- This recipe easily doubles if you need to feed a crowd, and you can cook as many chicken breasts at a time as fit in your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- When taking the temperature of your chicken, choose the thickest part, and make sure you aren’t touching the bone if you use bone-in chicken
- If you need to, you can use a mallet to pound parts of the chicken to make your pieces more even, which will promote more even cooking overall
Storage and Reheating Tips For BBQ Chicken
- Store leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- To reheat BBQ chicken in the air fryer, heat at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F again. The time will vary based on the thickness of your specific chicken breast, so adjust as needed in small 1-minute increments
More Chicken Recipes
Final Thoughts
This easy peach whiskey BBQ chicken is such a great choice for summer dinners! It’s the perfect balance of lightly sweet with savory and tangy, all over juicy, delicious, and naturally low fat chicken breast that’s cooked in the air fryer.
Since it’s ready in under 20 minutes, this BBQ chicken is easy enough even for a weeknight! It’s one of my favorites for when the weather isn’t great and I don’t have the option to grill (but can still enjoy that great barbecue flavor)!
I usually serve mine with mashed potatoes and a green salad, sometimes topped with Bacon Wrapped Peaches for even more great peach flavor!
If you’re looking for more ways to use up your fresh summer produce, make sure to check out all of my great Air Fryer Peach Recipes for more inspiration!
Peach Whiskey BBQ Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 – 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (or another cut of choice)
- ½ Tbsp olive oil (or another high smoke point oil)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ⅓ cup peach whiskey BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Trim your chicken, then pat dry. Blend the spices together until well mixed1 – 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika
- Rub the olive oil over the outside of the chicken, and then sprinkle it evenly with the seasoning blend. You can throw them in a ziploc bag with the seasoning and shake to coat if you find that easier½ Tbsp olive oil
- Place the chicken face down (the rounded side) into your air fryer’s basket or rack
- Cook on the air fry setting at 360°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The time can vary based on the size of your specific chicken breasts, so adjust as needed
- Baste on your peach whiskey BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is heated and the chicken reaches 165°F⅓ cup peach whiskey BBQ sauce
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve!
Notes
- All the seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission if there’s something you don’t like
- You can use homemade or store bought peach whiskey BBQ sauce, or a regular whiskey BBQ sauce with 1 Tbsp peach preserves mixed in
- Garnishes are optional, but fresh parsley, sliced green onions, or grilled peaches are great choices if desired!
- This recipe easily doubles if you need to feed a crowd, and you can cook as many chicken breasts at a time as fit in your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- When taking the temperature of your chicken, choose the thickest part, and make sure you aren’t touching the bone if you use bone-in chicken
- If you need to, you can use a mallet to pound parts of the chicken to make your pieces more even, which will promote more even cooking overall
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
