Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
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.
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. They can be served on their own, with a side of salad or mashed potatoes for delicious dinner.
Why we love BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer:
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Perfectly seasoned
- Crispy skin, tender and juicy meat
- Great flavor with your favorite BBQ sauce
- Easy weekday meal
Ingredient 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 – I use Kraft barbecue sauce. Feel free to use these popular brands. Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, Bulls Eye BBQ sauce, Primal BBQ sauce for a keto/low-carb/sugar-free option
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.
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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 170°F.
What Air Fryer to Use?
I use a Cosori 5.8 quart basket type which is perfect for our family of 5 and perfect for this recipe too. Clean up is is a breeze.
Side Dishes For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Serve Air fryer bbq chicken thighs with these delicious side dishes.
- Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Cauliflower rice for low-carb/keto option
- Cauliflower steaks
- Oven Roasted Vegetables or Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
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 300°F until warm.
FAQs
Can I air fry frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs. You need to increase the cooking time. Cook at 400°F 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 400°F 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.
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
DID YOU MAKE IT? Please leave a comment and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe!
Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, with skin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder/cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 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.
This was good and super easy. It took probably double the time I my air fryer, which I know they are all different. Will make again.
Thank you Patricia! I’m glad it worked out.
Excellent. 20 – 5 – 5.
Crispy skin and juicy chicken! Delicious with Aldi bbq sauce. Love this 10 5 5 recipe. The kids love it too ❤️🍗🍗
Hi Maria, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed. It’s one of our favorites.
Hi
Which air fryer do you have?
Hi Michelle, I have a Cosori 5.8qrt air fryer.
Awesome recipe. Very simple and cost-effective way to feed a family. Delicious and juicy every time. I will keep this in the meal rotation. Thanks
Thanks Chuck! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
These were delicious! I used skinless because that is what I had and they were so good! I will def make again.
Thanks Lindsay! This is such a versatile recipe.
I’ve made this recipe with bone in and boneless chicken thighs. Each time it turned out fantastic. It’s very tasty. Thank you for this recipe!!
You’re welcome Vanessa! I’m delighted to hear that it came out well for you.
omg I will never cook chicken any other way again. This was amazing,flavourful and downright easy.
Thanks Carol! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe. It’s one of our favorite dishes too.
Hi, I made this last Sunday and it’s so delicious. It worked perfectly in m air fryer. Next time I’ll try it with boneless chicken thighs. Thank yoi
I’m so glad to hear that Vanessa. Thank you.
Chicken thighs come out perfect everytime. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Hi Denise, I’m glad you liked them. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Hello, would the time be the same 10/5/5 for boneless thighs?
Hi Alisha, no the timing will reduce. Rather than cooking for 10 minutes, you can cook for 7 to 8 minutes. 7-8/5/5
Excellent. Thank you agree 10-5-5 the magic combination
Scoring beside bone great trick
Hi, you’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Do you score to the bone?
yes, this helps the spices seep in.
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.
Hi Scott, thank you for the wonderful review. I’m so glad you and your son enjoyed this recipe.