Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Name: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ lb chicken thighs (skinless and boneless); ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground pepper; ½ teaspoon paprika or red chili powder; ½ cup barbecue sauce; Chopped parsley (to garnish); Lemon wedges (to serve)

Air fryer BBQ Chicken thighs are crispy and juicy and cook in just 20 minutes. Perfectly seasoned and slathered with your favorite sauce, the best air fryer chicken thighs are sure to please your whole family—no more waiting for nice weather. Enjoy air fryer barbecue chicken all year round with this simple recipe.

Air fryer bbq chicken on a plate with extra barbecue sauce.

Cooking tender and juicy BBQ chicken thighs air fryer is so easy. Air fryer barbecue chicken is seasoned and then cooked in the air fryer. Slather on your favorite BBQ sauce and return the meat to the air fryer for a few minutes to set the sauce and give it a flavorful sticky coating.

If you love chicken thighs, try my Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs or Easy Marry Me Chicken Recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken

It’s smoky and delicious. Enjoy the best air fryer chicken thighs all year round that have that smoky BBQ flavor you love.
It’s quick. Enjoy juicy, flavorful chicken thighs in just 30 minutes.
It’s kid-approved. Kids will love air fryer BBQ chicken, so it’s the perfect weeknight meal.

BBQ Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients needed for air fryer bbq chicken.

Chicken: use skinless, boneless thighs or substitute chicken breast if desired.
Herbs and Spices: combine dried oregano, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground pepper and paprika or red chili powder.
Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite brand of bbq sauce.
Fresh Parsley: chopped to garnish.
Lemon Wedges: for serving.

How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Prepare the equipment. Preheat the Air Fryer to 360 degrees F.
Prepare the spice blend. Combine oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground black pepper, and paprika.

Season the chicken. Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel and keep them aside. Sprinkle the mixed seasonings over the chicken thighs and rub them until well coated.

Chicken thighs ready to be cooked in the air fryer.

Cook the chicken. Place the prepared chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and coat them with cooking spray. Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes, brush the chicken thigh with barbecue sauce generously and cook further for 4- 5 minutes.

Finished bbq chicken thighs resting in an air fryer basket.

Add barbecue sauce. Once the timer is done, flip the chicken thighs to the next side, brush them with barbecue sauce generously, and cook further for 4- 5 minutes until lightly charred.
Garnish and serve. Once done, transfer the chicken thighs to a serving platter and brush with barbecue sauce on top. Garnish the chicken with fresh parsley and serve it with veggies and lemon wedges on the sides.

Tips To Make BBQ Chicken Thighs Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer.
Use air fryer parchment paper to line the air fryer basket to make cleanup a breeze.
Select chicken thighs that are similar in size for even cooking.
Don’t crowd the air fryer. The chicken can touch but shouldn’t overlap. Cook in batches if necessary.
Use homemade bbq sauce, or pick up a bottle of your favorite store-bought sauce.
Make it spicy by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
Always cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a digital meat thermometer.
Use leftover meat in salads, tacos, bowls, burritos and more.

Closeup of air fryer barbecue chicken thighs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other chicken cuts?

This versatile recipe can be made with your favorite chicken cuts. Try using bone-in or boneless chicken breasts, chicken tenders or bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will cook in the air fryer in about 20 minutes. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Because chicken thighs tend to be juicier, they can be cooked to 170 degrees F. Cook the chicken almost completely, adding the barbecue sauce during the last few minutes to prevent the sauce from burning.

How to store and reheat BBQ chicken thighs?

BBQ chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the lowest setting of your air fryer to avoid burning the barbecue sauce.

Can I freeze air fryer barbecue chicken thighs?

Yes. Store these chicken thighs in a ziplock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer.

What to serve with BBQ chicken thighs?

BBQ chicken can be served with almost anything, but our favorites include coleslaw, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Potato Cobb Salad, Mexican Street Corn, Easy Macaroni Salad, and Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese.

Best air fryer chicken thighs on a plate with green beans.

More BBQ Chicken Recipes

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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