These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs come out crispy and juicy in 20 minutes without the need to fire up the grill. They’re perfectly seasoned and slathered with plenty of barbecue sauce for a delicious chicken meal.
Now I can cook BBQ chicken all year round with the Air fryer. How cool is that? I love making all kinds of chicken recipes in the Air fryer because they make a quick and delicious dinner in no time.
These barbecue chicken thighs are perfectly seasoned and cooked in the Air fryer. Then slathered with plenty of barbecue sauce and air fried a few more minutes to get that charred look and barbecue taste and flavor just like we do on the grill. I used Kraft barbecue sauce and you can use your favorite brand.
Ingredients and Notes
- Chicken thighs – I used 6 bone-in chicken thighs with skin. You can use boneless chicken thighs with skin removed.
- Spices – I use this spice mix but feel free to add your favorite spices for more flavor.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Red chili powder/Cayenne pepper – for heat.
- Salt
- BBQ sauce – use your favorite brand.
How To Cook Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Trim excess fat and pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels. Next, score the chicken thighs on the skin side till the bone. This means putting a few cuts on the chicken flesh so the seasoning can go deeper. It aslo helps to cook the inside of the chicken.
In a small bowl, mix the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and red chili powder. In a large bowl, mix the chicken thighs with spices until they are coated all over.
Preheat air fryer to 400F. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 10 minutes. Brush the chicken with plenty of barbecue sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up and brush with barbecue sauce. Air fry chicken thighs for another 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy and lightly charred. Make sure to check the internal temperature with meat thermometer. Ideally, the chicken is cooked at 165F. However, I like to cook it until 170F since it’s with bones and I don’t want it to be bloody near the bone.
Brush with more barbecue sauce if you prefer and serve warm.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredient
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, with skin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder/cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
-
Trim excess fat and pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels. Next, score the chicken thighs on the skin side till the bone. This means putting a few cuts on the chicken flesh so the seasoning can go deeper.
-
In a small bowl, mix the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and red chili powder. In a large bowl, mix the chicken thighs with spices until they are coated all over.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 10 minutes. Brush the chicken with plenty of barbecue sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
-
Turn the chicken thighs skin-side up and brush with barbecue sauce. Air fry chicken thighs for another 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy and lightly charred. Or until the internal temperature is 170F.
-
Brush with more barbecue sauce if you prefer and serve warm.