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.
Chicken thighs are one of the juiciest cuts of meat. I love making these Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs , Grilled Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters. For more dinner recipes, check my Air Fryer Recipe Collection.
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.
The bbq chicken thighs get done in about 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, we slather the barbecue sauce and cook till the chicken is tender, juicy and the skin crispy.
The Air fryer bbq chicken thighs can be served on their own, with a side of salad or mashed potatoes for delicious dinner.
Jump to:
- Why we love BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer:
- Ingredients and Notes
- How To Cook Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Expert Tips
- What Air Fryer to Use?
- Substitutions
- Side Dishes For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- How to Store And Reheat
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I air fry frozen chicken thighs?
- How long to cook bbq chicken thighs in the Air fryer?
- More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You'll Love:
- Recipe
Why we love BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer:
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Perfectly seasoned
- Crispy skin, tender and juicy meat
- Great BBQ flavor with your favorite barbecue sauce
- Easy weekday meal
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
⁕Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
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.
Expert Tips
- Preheat Air fryer for faster cooking and crispy chicken.
- Line the Air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Air Fry the skin-side down and finish cooking with skin side-up for that crispy skin.
- Don't overcrowd the Air fryer basket. Place the chicken in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
- Check for doneness using an instant-read meat thermometer. The chicken should be done when the internal temperature is 170F.
What Air Fryer to Use?
I use a Cosori 5.8 quart basket type which is perfect for our family of 5. Clean up is easy too!
Substitutions
- Spices - I use a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and chili powder. Add your favorite spices or a just salt and black pepper. Substitute the chili powder with smoked paprika for less heat.
- Barbecue sauce - I use Kraft barbecue sauce. You can use the following brands too.
- Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce
- Bulls Eye BBQ sauce
- Primal BBQ sauce for a keto/low-carb/sugar-free option
Side Dishes For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Serve Air fryer bbq chicken thighs with these delicious side dishes.
How to Store And Reheat
Store the cooked chicken thighs in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.
Reheat in the Air fryer at 300F until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I air fry frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs. You need to increase the cooking time. Cook at 400F for 15 minutes before brushing with sauce.
How long to cook bbq chicken thighs in the Air fryer?
It would take about 20 minutes at 400F to cook the chicken thighs in the Air fryer.
I cook chicken thighs skin down for 10 minutes, brush with bbq sauce, cook for 5 minutes. Flip them over skin side up, brush with plenty of bbq sauce at cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You'll Love:
- Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken
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If you like this recipe, I’d love it if you can give me a rating and comment! Share it with your family and friends! ❤️
Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 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.
Scott P says
This recipe is hands down the best BBQ chicken thighs I have ever had, from any method of cooking. My son agreed wholeheartedly. He took his first bite and literally said OMG. The 10-5-5 timing is the key in my opinion. It cooks the BBQ sauce without burning it (I used Sticky Fingers from TN, but use what you like). I had to cook in batches so I kept a plate in my oven at 170degrees to keep the cooked pieces warm while the others finished, just threw some loose foil over them. This is so good. Try this.
Farwin says
Hi Scott, thank you for the wonderful review. I'm so glad you and your son enjoyed this recipe.
Darren says
Do you score to the bone?
Farwin says
yes, this helps the spices seep in.
d n english says
Excellent. Thank you agree 10-5-5 the magic combination
Scoring beside bone great trick
Farwin says
Hi, you're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂