These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs are delicious and easy to make. If you want juicy and flavorful chicken thighs slathered in BBQ sauce, you have come to the right place!
The Easiest BBQ Chicken Thigh Recipe
I like staying inside and enjoying the AC on hot summer days. If I can make a delicious meal that skips the grill and the oven, then I’m all over it. These air fryer barbecue chicken thighs are well seasoned and cook so well in the air fryer. You still get that crispy skin without spending time in a hot kitchen.
If you are going to use store-bought barbecue sauce, we like Sweet Baby Ray’s for this recipe. I find it to be the perfect balance of smoky and sweet. It pairs super well with the chicken thighs and any side dish of your choosing. However, our Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is the BEST! If I am not cooking on the stovetop, I like easy sides like Jalapeno Coleslaw and Watermelon Salad because they require zero cooking.
What You’ll Need
My pantry is usually stocked on seasonings so the only ingredient I needed to find was liquid smoke. You can find it in the baking aisle at your grocery store.
- Chicken Thighs: I use bone in and skin on for added flavor and juiciness. Plus, crispy skin is delicious!
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Liquid Smoke: I used Figaro Hickory Liquid Smoke and Barbecue Marinade
- Barbecue Sauce: Sweet Baby Ray’s original always has my vote for store-bought but we recommend our easy homemade bbq sauce recipe.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the minimal prep. When I want an easy meal, I want to put in the least amount of work – and these air fryer BBQ chicken thighs deliver!
- Prepare the Chicken Thighs. Trim the fat from your chicken thighs and pat them down with paper towels. Excess moisture will prevent the chicken skin from becoming crispy. Use the tip of a sharp knife to make slits on both sides of the chicken thighs to allow more seasoning to get into them.
- Make the Marinade. Stir the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Add the liquid smoke and stir until it becomes a paste.
- Marinate the Chicken. Cover the chicken thighs in the paste and let them sit covered on the counter for about 20 minutes.
- Get Your Air Fryer Ready. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F and allow it to preheat for about 3 minutes. Spray the fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the Thighs. Place the barbecue chicken thighs face down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes. Then, brush with barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 3 minutes. The chicken should look slightly charred.
- Flip and Baste. Flip your chicken skin side up and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until the thighs are cooked all the way through. Brush the skin side with barbecue sauce and air fry for an additional 3 minutes. Both sides of the chicken thighs should now have char.
- Add More Sauce. Once the thighs are finished, you can brush them with additional sauce if you desire. Repeat the cooking process for any remaining thighs.
- Serve. Enjoy immediately with your favorite side dish.
Tips & Tricks For The Best Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. The cooking time will be different so be sure to check on them more frequently.
- The size of your chicken thighs will also play a part in the cooking time. Use a thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature of your chicken should be at least 165 degrees F before serving.
- You may have to cook the BBQ chicken thighs in several batches. You want to make sure that the air can circulate. I cook 3 at a time in my 6-quart air fryer.
- Any flavor of barbecue sauce can be used. Use honey or brown sugar flavors for more sweetness. Not a fan of barbeque? Try our Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
How To Store Leftovers
Store any leftover BBQ chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes or until warm.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Doritos Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Jerk Chicken
- Air Fryer Nashville Chicken
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in and skin on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Trim the excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. With the tip of a sharp knife, poke several slits on both sides of the chicken thighs. This will help the seasoning get into the chicken thighs.
- In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, seasonings, and liquid smoke to create a paste. Rub the paste all over the chicken. Let the chicken sit covered on the counter for 20 minutes to help bring it up to room temperature and to allow the seasonings to get into the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray and place the chicken thighs skin side down. Air fry for 12 minutes. Brush the chicken thighs with barbecue sauce and continue to air fry for another 3 minutes or until lightly charred.
- Flip the chicken thighs skin side up and air fry for 5 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken. Brush the chicken with barbecue sauce and air fry for another 3 minutes or until the skin is lightly charred.
- Brush with more barbecue sauce if desired before serving.
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