Last Updated on June 12, 2024
Are you looking for an invigorating high-protein snack that manages to blend the perfect line of spicy and sweet? Then, you need to try this Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe!
Requiring only three ingredients, this Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe is wonderfully simple to make. Though it does require time for the chicken to marinate and sit after cooking, all the “cooking” is done passively thanks to the oh-so-popular air fryer!
Who doesn’t love a new way to use their favorite piece of kitchen equipment? Well, here’s another recipe to engage that handy-dandy air fryer—and you get a savory spicy, and sweet high-protein snack out of it!
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Popular Cajun Seasoning Brands
Slap Ya Mama, Cajun Seasoning
One of the most popular and well-known Cajun seasonings out there, Slap Ya Mama’s Cajun Seasoning is Certified Cajun—made where it all began, Louisiana! Gluten-free, kosher, and free of MSGs, this specific Cajun Seasoning boasts a low heat level but is an impactful Cajun-seasoning enhancement to any dish. Slap Ya Mama has varying levels of heat options available for all Cajun-lovers out there!
Find It Here:
Louisiana Fish Fry Products, Cajun Seasoning
Made to be eaten with a variety of dishes, like this Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe, Louisiana Fish Fry Products has got it set with their Cajun Seasoning that packs an impressive punch of Cajun flavor. Give this Cajun Seasoning a try to enhance your next batch of jerky!
Find It Here:
McCormick Gourmet, Cajun Seasoning
Another popular and well-known spice and seasoning brand, McCormick Gourmet has taken a leap forward with their Cajun Seasoning. It empowers an undeniably Cajun blend of spicy-hot peppers, garlic, and onion for a magnificently flavorful seasoning. Use this Cajun seasoning when you make your jerky or any other dish of your choosing!
Find It Here:
A Cajun Life, All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning
This All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning by A Cajun Life is a common staple in households across the globe. Whether sprinkles on fries or eggs or used to make jerky or jambalaya, this All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning brings on the beloved Cajun flavor that proves to be so enticing everyone wants to buy some!
Find It Here:
What You Will Need To Make This Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe
Get that perfect mixture of sweetness and spice in this Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe! Pack on the heat with Cajun seasoning that combines spices like cayenne pepper for a punch of heat, and other seasonings for the mouthwatering additional taste to any dish it’s applied to. The Sweet Baby’s Ray Sauce & Marinade marinates the chicken strips in deliciously a sweet and savory combination of savory teriyaki and sweet pineapple.
Prepare to make this Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe for the ultimate sweet and spicy high-protein snack!
Ingredients:
- 2 Teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- ½ Cup Sweet Baby’s Ray Sauce & Marinade
- 2 Chicken Breasts (Boneless, 5 Ounces Each)
Equipment:
- Wooden Skewers
- Measuring Utensils
- Measuring Cup
- Air Fryer
- Ziploc Bag
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
Step By Step Instructions To Make This Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe
Step 1: Cut The Chicken
Using the cutting board and Chef’s knife, cut the chicken breasts into thin strips.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients In The Ziploc Bag
Add the chicken strips, Cajun seasoning, and Sweet Baby’s Ray Sauce & Marinade to the Ziploc bag. Mix the contents to thoroughly combine and coat before sealing the Ziploc bag.
Step 3: Refrigerate The Chicken
Set the Ziploc bag with the chicken and marinade contents flat down in the refrigerator. Allow to marinate for either 8 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Fit The Skewers
Each air fryer comes in different sizes. Measure out the prepared skewers to adjust to the width and length of your air fryer. Trim off the excess length to accumulate to the air fryer’s available space before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Preheat The Air Fryer
Not all air fryers require this step, so double-check first before proceeding with this step!
Preheat your air fryer to 180 F for 10 minutes to prepare for the jerky to cook in the next step.
Step 6: Use The Skewers
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Pierce the chicken to accumulate to up to 6 skewers until all the chicken has been added to the available skewers. Allow for a small amount of space in between each strip of chicken.
Step 7: Cook The Chicken
Add the chicken skewers to the preheated air fryer. Cook the chicken for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 180 F. Since most air fryers do not have this time available as an option on the timer, make sure to reset the time and flip over the skewers during each reset.
Step 8: Cook The Chicken, Round Two
After the initial cooking time is up, raise the air fryer temperature to 200 F. Cook the chicken for another 15 minutes.
Step 9: Allow To Sit Overnight
Once this second cooking time is up, remove the chicken skewers. Place them in a sealable storage container lined with paper towels. Seal the container and have the chicken sit overnight.
Step 10: Serve And Enjoy!
Having sat overnight, the Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky is ready to be eaten. Enjoy!
Tips And Tricks
The marinade used in the recipe can easily be switched out for another sweet marinade of your choosing! Some marinades have a more notably fruity sweet flavoring, so don’t be afraid to mix it up.
For added heat, sprinkle in some extra cayenne pepper with the cajun seasoning for added spice.
Servings And Preparation Time
| Preparation Time | Cook Time | Servings |
| 8 Hours 20 Minutes | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 6 |
Conclusion
Did you enjoy this recipe? Make sure to leave a comment below to tell us what you think or if you have any questions. Don’t forget to share this article with its included Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky that makes for a high-protein, sweet and spicy snack!
Tag us on social media with your finished product!
FAQs
How do you cut chicken breast for jerky?
When cutting up chicken breasts for jerky, make sure to slice them lengthwise into ⅛" - ¼" strips for optimal results.
Is it safe to make chicken jerky?
Chicken jerky is safe to make and eat as long as the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F when before drying it.
How do you make jerky more flavorful?
To make jerky more flavorful use dry rubs or make sure to marinade the jerky for a proper amount of time to obtain optimal flavor enhancement!
Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden Skewers
- Measuring Utensils
- Measuring Cup
- Air Fryer
- Ziploc Bag
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- ½ Cup Sweet Baby’s Ray Sauce & Marinade
- 2 Chicken Breasts Boneless, 5 Ounces Each
Instructions
- Using the cutting board and Chef’s knife, cut the chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Add the chicken strips, Cajun seasoning, and Sweet Baby’s Ray Sauce & Marinade to the Ziploc bag. Mix the contents to thoroughly combine and coat before sealing the Ziploc bag.
- Set the Ziploc bag with the chicken and marinade contents flat down in the refrigerator. Allow to marinate for either 8 hours or overnight.
- Each air fryer comes in different sizes. Measure out the prepared skewers to adjust to the width and length of your air fryer. Trim off the excess length to accumulate to the air fryer’s available space before proceeding to the next step.
- Not all air fryers require this step, so double-check first before proceeding with this step!
- Preheat your air fryer to 180 F for 10 minutes to prepare for the jerky to cook in the next step.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Pierce the chicken to accumulate to up to 6 skewers until all the chicken has been added to the available skewers. Allow for a small amount of space in between each strip of chicken.
- Add the chicken skewers to the preheated air fryer. Cook the chicken for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 180 F. Since most air fryers do not have this time available as an option on the timer, make sure to reset the time and flip over the skewers during each reset.
- After the initial cooking time is up, raise the air fryer temperature to 200 F. Cook the chicken for another 15 minutes.
- Once this second cooking time is up, remove the chicken skewers. Place them in a sealable storage container lined with paper towels. Seal the container and have the chicken sit overnight.
- Having sat overnight, the Air Fryer Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Jerky is ready to be eaten. Enjoy!
Notes
- The marinade used in the recipe can easily be switched out for another sweet marinade of your choosing! Some marinades have a more notably fruity sweet flavoring, so don’t be afraid to mix it up.
- For added heat, sprinkle in some extra cayenne pepper with the cajun seasoning for added spice.
Nutrition
My name is Ania, and I am very glad to see you here. I have always loved cooking; even some of my earliest memories are flipping through a cookbook and making pudding standing on a stool because I was too small to reach the stove.
You should know that I am not a professionally trained chef, just a big food lover who grew up in a family obsessed with cooking and focused on what we eat.
Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe! It’s making me hungry just looking at it.