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Close-up of perfectly cooked Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs with a glossy, caramelized glaze and slight char.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs are the perfect quick dinner when you want crispy skin and tender meat without heating up the oven. The air fryer creates golden, crackly skin while keeping the chicken juicy and flavorful inside. Finished with a sticky barbecue glaze, this easy recipe is family friendly, high protein, and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Food Thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken thighs and rub to coat all sides.
  4. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  5. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
  6. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up and cook for another 5 minutes until the skin becomes crispy.
  7. Brush barbecue sauce over the chicken thighs and air fry for 3 to 5 more minutes until the sauce is caramelized and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving. For food safety, cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning.