With only 15 minutes and 3 ingredients, you'll be set to make healthy, delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs that taste just like they're off the grill.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- It's quick and easy. All you need is 3 ingredients and 15 minutes. You can't beat that for a weeknight dinner.
- You can make BBQ chicken all year round. No one wants to stand in front of their grill in the middle of winter. Luckily, the air fryer does a damn good job at mimicking the taste.
- It's a rich source of lean protein, and many important vitamins and minerals.
Why is this recipe healthy?
Not only is this recipe incredibly easy to make, it's also great for your health. Here are a couple of reasons why:
- Chicken thighs are a rich source of lean protein, and many important vitamins and minerals. For maximum health benefits, make sure you're buying high quality meat and pairing it with a low sugar barbecue sauce. I've shared some guidance on both of those things below.
- Air frying is a healthy cooking method because of its decreased need for unhealthy cooking oils. The best part is that this reduction in fat doesn’t affect the taste.
Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need for these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs:
- Chicken thighs: The star ingredient of this recipe. For health reasons, I recommend buying hormone-free, organic chicken, raised without the use of antibiotics. If you want more information on what these labels mean and how to buy chicken, check out this guide from EatingWell.
- Spice rub: Sure, you can just use BBQ sauce. But, the addition of a spice rub truly takes the flavour of these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs to the next level. I use my Best Chicken Wing Rub, which gives the thighs a sweet and spicy kick. But, you can use any spice rub.
- Barbecue sauce: My advice is to skip the sugary store-bought BBQ sauce. Instead, buy a healthier alternative like Good Food for Good BBQ Sauce, that's sweetened with dates instead of refined sugar. Or, if you have the time, you can make your own. Here's my recipe for Whole 30 BBQ Sauce.
my go-to healthy bbq sauces
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Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.
Instructions
Let’s break it down step by step to take any guesswork out of these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 375° F
- Add chicken thighs to a mixing bowl and pat dry with paper towel.
- Add dry rub to the mixing bowl and use your hands to rub the seasoning onto the chicken thighs until they are well coated.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes.
- Transfer the thighs to a plate and brush in barbecue sauce.
- Place the chicken thighs back in the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Dry rub won't stick to chicken thighs if they're moist. That's why it's important to dry the remove all excess moisture with a paper towel.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the type of air fryer and size of chicken thighs. It's best to check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs should be at an internal temperature of 165°F.
- It's helpful to use similar sized chicken thighs so that they have the same cooking time.
For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to the recipe card.
How to store
Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Thighs can be a great make-ahead meal. Here's how you store your them for enjoyment at a later time.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Set air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F. Place chicken thighs in the basket in a single layer and reheat for 5 minutes. If making from frozen, thaw before reheating.
Recipe variations
Want to have a little fun with the recipe? The easiest way to shake up the taste is to play with the spice rub.
I suggest using my best chicken wing rub recipe as a base. Then, follow these guidelines to adjust the three basic flavour profiles that go into a dry rub.
- Sweet: If you're looking for a sweeter dry rub, I suggest adding brown sugar or coconut sugar. These will not only turn up the sweetness, but also help you create a crusty caramelized exterior on your chicken wings.
- Spicy: If you're looking to add heat to your dry rub, I find cayenne pepper, dry chipotle and chilli powder work best. Cayenne is my preference because it adds heat without overpowering the other flavours in rub. Be sure to add a little at a time.
- Savoury: Nearly everything else you add to your dry rub will be considered savoury. Play with the ingredients and the amount of each. Some good options are: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, coriander, dry mustard, cumin, paprika, and celery salt.
Equipment
Here's what you need to make this recipe.
- Air fryer: If you don’t have an Air Fryer yet, I suggest you add one to your kitchen equipment collection. It lets you eat your favourite fried foods without guilt. If you’re not sure what the hype is all about, I wrote a piece comparing the air fryer and the deep fryer, as well as the air fryer and the pressure cooker. Feel free to use them as a resource. I own the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer. It's large enough to cook for two people, but small enough to fit in my cupboard.
- Pastry brush: This is super helpful for brushing BBQ sauce onto the thighs.
my go-to products
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FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about {recipe}. (3-5 questions answered in faq box, PAA/Answer The Public/Common)
Always season before rather than after frying chicken thighs. Dry rubs need to be cooked with the meat, while sauces can be applied after cooking.
A dry rub needs time to work its flavours into the meat. It's best to allow the dry rub to sit on the meat for 15 minutes to 3 hours. Do not let it sit longer than 12 hours. If it's on for too long, it will begin to dry out and cure the meat.
You don't need to preheat an air fryer. But, if you don't, it can take longer to cook your food. So, I suggest preheating. It's as easy as turning the air fryer on to your desired cooking temperature for 1-2 minutes before you cook.
Leaving chicken in the air fryer for too long can suck the moisture out and leave you with dry, rubbery poultry. When moisture is removed, the protein fibres in chicken become elastic, resulting in an undesired texture.
So, if your chicken thighs came out rubbery, it's likely overcooking is the culprit. Try reducing the cooking time next time around.
Yes, you can. But, remember that cooking time will vary based on the cut of chicken. So, be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breast for doneness.
How To Serve
Now that you have "right off the grill" chicken thighs, it’s time to build the perfect meal with them. Here are a couple of my favourite ideas:
- Pair with a delicious salad: My go-to pairing with barbecue chicken are Greek, Caesar, or Coleslaw. But, anything goes!
- Partner with roasted or grilled vegetables
- Slice the chicken and add it to a sandwich or wrap
Similar Recipes
Still hungry? If you enjoyed this recipe for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs, I invite you to check out some of my other healthy mains or check out the Air Fryer recipes I hand selected for you below.
If you make these air fryer bbq chicken thighs, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.
Print
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 13
- Total Time: 18
- Yield: 4 chicken thighs 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Barbecue
- Cuisine: American
Description
With only 15 minutes and 3 ingredients, you'll be set to make healthy, delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs that taste just like they're off the grill.
Ingredients
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- 4 boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons of best wing rub (or make a one-time spice rub using the ingredients below)
- ¼ cup of barbecue sauce (use a low-sugar barbecue sauce, like the ones shared below)
Spice Rub
-
1 tablespoon paprika
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
¼ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon cayenne
-
½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 375° F
- Add chicken thighs to a mixing bowl and pat dry with paper towel.
- Add dry rub to the mixing bowl and use your hands to rub the seasoning onto the chicken thighs until they are well coated.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes.
- Transfer the thighs to a plate and brush in barbecue sauce.
- Place the chicken thighs back in the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes.
Notes
- Dry rub won't stick to chicken thighs if they're moist. That's why it's important to dry the remove all excess moisture with a paper towel.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the type of air fryer and size of chicken thighs. It's best to check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs should be at an internal temperature of 165°F.
- It's helpful to use similar sized chicken thighs so that they have the same cooking time.
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