Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

This recipe for Air Fryer BBQ chicken thighs is fantastic! In less than 20 minutes, you can have perfect BBQ chicken without leaving the kitchen. 

This is my favorite chicken thigh recipe because it’s easy to make! If you love a great barbecue flavor, this recipe is for you!

BBQ chicken thighs are fantastic. I usually stock up when they go on sale, making this a tremendous budget-friendly meal. I like to keep things simple and pair them with a side salad or a rice dish.

My BBQ chicken recipes are some of the most popular on my website, so I thought I would write down my full-proof recipe for making BBQ chicken thighs in an air fryer.

Pretty soon, this will be one of your family’s favorite meals. It’s easy and delicious!

Looking for other Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes? Some of my favorites are FROZEN CHICKEN BREAST IN THE AIR FRYER, AIR FRYER CHICKEN BREAST (LEMON GARLIC), AIR FRYER PESTO CHICKEN TENDERS, and AIR FRYER TYSON CHICKEN WINGS.

Why We Love BBQ Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

• It’s versatile — you can easily adjust the BBQ sauce you use.
• Cooks up so crispy in the air fryer.
• Ready in less than 20 minutes.
• No excess oil is needed.
• Perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

Here are the simple ingredients to make BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the actual nutritional content.

• Smoked Paprika: Infuses a rich, smoky flavor into the BBQ chicken thighs, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a savory punch of garlic flavor, enhancing the chicken’s overall taste and complementing the paprika’s smokiness.
• Onion Powder: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the marinade, enhancing the barbecue sauce’s complexity.
• Kosher Salt: Seasoning the chicken thighs with salt helps to enhance their natural flavors and ensure a well-balanced taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds a hint of spiciness and warmth to the chicken thighs, complementing the other spices in the marinade.
• Chicken Thighs: The main protein component, chicken thighs offer juicy, tender meat that beautifully absorbs the marinade’s flavors.
• Ketchup: The base of the BBQ sauce, which coats the chicken thighs with a tangy, slightly sweet flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a subtle tanginess and depth of flavor to the BBQ sauce, balancing the sweetness from the brown sugar.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness to the BBQ sauce, caramelizing during cooking to create a delicious glaze on the chicken thighs.
• Olive Oil: Evenly coats the chicken thighs, ensuring they cook perfectly in the air fryer while adding richness to the marinade.

How To Cook Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

Here are the step-by-step directions for air-fried BBQ chicken thighs.

Step 1: Make the seasoning

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F using the air fryer setting, and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. In a small bowl, prepare your seasoning rub; combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to make the dry rub for the BBQ chicken thighs. Reserve 1 tbsp of the dry rub for use later.

Step 2: Season the chicken

Dry the chicken with paper towels. Add the rest of the dry rub to the chicken thighs in a large bowl, using your hands to rub the seasoning well into the chicken.

Step 3: Air fry the chicken

Cook the BBQ chicken thighs in air fryer in a single layer, and set cook time for 18-20 mins, turning halfway through the cooking time. Cook until chicken is golden brown, and a food meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F.

Step 4: Make the easy homemade BBQ sauce

While the chicken is cooking, combine the ketchup, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, and reserved 1 tbsp of dry rub to make the barbecue sauce.

Step 5: Sauce the chicken and air fry again

Transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a plate and generously brush it with barbecue sauce using a pastry brush when the chicken is done. Put chicken back into the air fryer, skin side up, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Serve your air-fried barbecue chicken thighs hot with a side salad, vegetables, roast potatoes, onion rings, coleslaw, and fresh parsley, an optional garnish.

Pro Tips

• Cooking times may vary depending on the brand of the Air Fryer and the size of the chicken thighs. To ensure that your chicken is done, ensure that its internal temperature is 165°F.
• Use similar-sized chicken thighs so that they cook at the same time.
• You could use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce instead.
• For extra heat, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Keeps for three days in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Leftover chicken can be shredded/sliced into sandwiches, salads, tacos, etc.

Can I Use Different Cuts of Chicken?

Yes, you can make this air fryer barbecue chicken thighs recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, boneless chicken thighs, skin-on chicken thighs, bone-in chicken thighs, or chicken wings!

The cooking time will vary based on the cut of the chicken, so always use a meat thermometer to check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked.

How Long Does it Take to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs?

Air-fried BBQ chicken thighs will take 18-20 minutes to cook. The thickness of the chicken thighs—and whether they are bone-in or boneless—will determine the exact cooking time! For best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken before removing it from the air fryer. 

What Temperature to Cook Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs?

The internal temperature of your air fryer BBQ chicken thighs should be 165 degrees F. Check them before removing them from the air fryer basket.

Another way to tell if chicken thighs are done is to cut into them. Once the chicken juice runs clear, you can remove them from the air fryer.

Can You Put Raw Chicken In An Air Fryer?

Yes, just like an oven, you can add raw meat to the air fryer. It will cook perfectly, like in the oven or grill. Any raw chicken can be air-fried to perfection.

What To Serve With Air-Fried BBQ Chicken Thighs

This chicken dish goes with any side dishes, from traditional macaroni and cheese to corn on the cob, pasta salad, to coleslaw. This is a great dish, and leftovers are even better!

What Kind Of BBQ Sauce Should I Use?

This is a really quick recipe that you can use store-bought BBQ sauce. Your favorite BBQ sauce would be best since you will like it better. Some of my favorites are:

• Sweet Baby Ray, Hickory & Brown Sugar
• Guy Fieri Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
• Primal BBQ Sauce (KETO Friendly)

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
• EASY AIR FRYER CHINESE SESAME CHICKEN
• AIR FRYER CARIBBEAN RUBBED CHICKEN THIGHS

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