These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs will have you craving seconds. With a perfect balance of smoky, tangy flavors and juicy, tender meat, this recipe is, without a doubt, a winner.
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 22 minutesminutes
Total Time 27 minutesminutes
Makes 2
Ingredients
4bone-in chicken thighs
1/2cupbarbecue saucestore-bought
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspoonblack pepper
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for about 5 minutes.
Prepare the Dry Rub. To create a dry rub seasoning, combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels.
Sprinkle the dry rub seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs, pressing gently to help the seasoning adhere to the meat.
Transfer to the air fryer and brush with barbecue sauce.
Air fry the chicken thighs for 9 - 12 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC).
Flip the BBQ chicken thighs and recoat with more barbecue sauce.
Cook for another 7-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC).
Once cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let the air fried chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy! Pair your air fried bbq chicken thighs with your favorite sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, or potato salad for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
Adjust the cooking time to 14 - 20 minutes when opting for air fryer bbq boneless chicken thighs.
Remember that cooking durations may differ depending on the chicken's thickness and your air fryer's size and model. Before eating your chicken, ensure it has been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
If your air fryer doesn't have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs.
I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the barbecue chicken thighs. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper and the dry rub for a spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs variation.