Air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are an easy way to make juicy, flavorful chicken with very little effort. Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned with a simple dry rub, air fried until crispy, then tossed in your favorite barbecue sauce. The whole recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
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If you're looking for reliable, weeknight-friendly air fryer chicken recipes, this is one I come back to again and again. These air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are a simple way to get juicy, flavorful chicken with crispy skin and minimal cleanup. Using a dry rub first and adding the BBQ sauce at the end keeps the chicken from burning while still delivering bold barbecue flavor. It's an easy, reliable option for weeknight dinners and works well if you're cooking ahead for the week.
If you're in the mood for a different cut, this same approach also works well for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F while preparing the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then add it to a large bowl. Combine the spices in a small bowl, then add them to the chicken and mix with your hands, ensuring the chicken thighs are evenly coated.
Step 2
Spray the air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray and add the chicken thighs. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Using a meat thermometer, make sure the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
Step 3
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and toss with your favorite BBQ sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken
- Add the sauce after cooking. If you add sauce before or during cooking, it can lead to chicken with soggy and soft skin so I recommend waiting until after it comes out of the air fryer.
- Don't crowd the air fryer. Make sure your chicken is placed in a single layer for even cooking of each piece.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and busy weeknight dinners.
Serving Suggestions
Serve up these simple air fryer BBQ chicken thighs for a party with a warm potato salad with vinaigrette for a fresh side dish or with caramelized Mediterranean roasted vegetables for an easy weeknight meal.
If you have leftover chicken, use it to make loaded BBQ chicken nachos as an appetizer or game day snack.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below-I'd love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
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See the full post for extra tips and photos
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then add them to a large bowl with the spices and mix with your hands until the chicken thighs are fully coated with the spices.4 bone-in chicken thighs, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Spray your air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray then add the chicken and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature is at least 170 degrees F before serving.Cooking spray
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer, toss in bbq sauce and enjoy!½ cup barbecue sauce
Sarah's Tips
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs give the juiciest results in the air fryer.
- Always sauce after cooking to prevent burning from the sugar in BBQ sauce.
- For even cooking, arrange chicken in a single layer and flip halfway through.
- This recipe reheats well, making it a great option for meal prep.
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