Go Back
–+ servings
Close up of several chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.
Print Recipe
4 from 1 vote

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

Tender, juicy chicken thighs are always a hit in my house, but our Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs might just be the favorite version of all! Sweet, sticky BBQ sauce coats the juicy chicken, adding loads of big flavor! This air fryer recipe is quick and simple, ready in just 15 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Chicken, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 thighs
Calories: 354kcal
Author: Karly Campbell

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless chicken thighs skinless or skin on
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 370 for about 5 minutes.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub them with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined.
  • Brush each chicken thigh with the BBQ sauce mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly.
  • Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down, in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Air fry the chicken thighs for 7-8 minutes. Then, flip them over, brush with more BBQ sauce, and air fry for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy and caramelized. The internal temperature should reach 165 when measured with a meat thermometer.
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

We often have a hard time finding boneless thighs with the skin on. You can easily make this recipe with skinless thighs. Just follow the recipe as directed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1thigh | Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 579mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 359IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg