Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful chicken thighs seasoned with a simple spice blend and brushed with tangy barbecue sauce for a quick and easy dinner. These air-fried chicken thighs come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious caramelized BBQ coating that rivals anything from the grill.
These chicken thighs are perfect for busy weeknight dinners, summer cookouts when you don't want to heat up the grill, or meal prep for the week ahead. With only 10 minutes of prep time and about 30 minutes in the air fryer, you can have a complete protein ready to serve with your favorite sides. The air fryer method means less oil, easier cleanup, and consistent results every time.
Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for air frying because they stay moist and flavorful even if slightly overcooked, making them more forgiving than chicken breasts. The high heat of the air fryer creates that perfect crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender inside.
If you love easy air fryer meals try these buffalo chicken wings or this air fryer stuffed chicken.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Coriander
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Barbecue sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Make perfectly crispy and juicy BBQ chicken thighs in your air fryer with these simple steps.
Preparation: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
Step one: In a small bowl, combine the oil, coriander, salt, and garlic powder
Step two: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil mix and toss well to coat. Allow to rest while the air fryer preheats.
Step three: Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick spray. Place 4-6 thighs in the basket at a time, leaving at least a half of an inch between each thigh. Work in batches if needed.
Step four: Cook for 10 minutes. Remove the basket and flip the thighs. Cook for an another 10 minutes.
Step five: Using a pastry brush, coat each thigh with BBQ sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Step six: Remove the basket and flip the thighs. Brush the tops with more BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until thighs are cooked through. Repeat with the remaining thighs, if needed.
Hint: Don't skip the resting time after coating the chicken with the oil mixture - this allows the seasoning to adhere better to the chicken and helps create that flavorful crust. Even just 5-10 minutes makes a noticeable difference in the final result.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety. However, chicken thighs can safely go a bit higher (170-175°F) and will actually become even more tender and juicy due to their higher fat content. Don't rely solely on cooking time, as the size of your thighs can vary - always verify with a thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken.
Storage
Thighs should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat prior to serving.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken thighs
- 4 t olive oil
- 1 t coriander
- 1 t salt
- ½ t garlic powder
- ½ c barbeque sauce plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine the oil, coriander, salt, and garlic powder.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil mix and toss well to coat. Allow to rest while the air fryer preheats.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick spray.
- Place 4-6 thighs in the basket at a time, leaving at least a half of an inch between each thigh. Work in batches if needed.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the basket and flip the thighs. Cook for an another 10 minutes.
- Using a pastry brush, coat each thigh with BBQ sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the basket and flip the thighs. Brush the tops with more BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until thighs are cooked through.
- Repeat with the remaining thighs, if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
