This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe gives you tender, juicy, chicken thighs or breasts that are coated in slightly caramelized barbecue sauce. Coat the chicken with a spice rub to add extra flavor.
In my opinion, you can never have enough easy chicken recipes! Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is super versatile and the serving options are endless. Some of my favorite pairings are white or brown rice and broccoli, corn on the cob, a baked potato like this air fryer whole sweet potato, this colorful Quinoa Salad, White Bean Salad made with canned white beans, or these Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes.
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⭐Why I love It
- 20 Minute Cook Time - Chicken cooks super quickly in the air fryer!
- Smoky Spice Rub - Rubbing the chicken with some pantry spices adds so much flavor and a smokiness to pair with the sweet barbecue sauce.
- Tender and Juicy - Perfectly cooked chicken that is super tender.
🥘Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredient to make super tender and flavorful bbq chicken in the air fryer.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - You can also use chicken breasts. I like to use thighs because they stay super tender - like in this One-Pot Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Rice recipe.
- Spices - Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt, cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking Spray
- Barbecue Sauce - Store bought or homemade
📖Substitutions and Variations
Here are some easy variations to this air fryer bbq chicken thighs recipe:
- Spice Level of Spice Rub - Depending on your preference for spice, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or even omit it entirely if you don't want any kick.
- Barbecue Sauce - You can use any kind of barbecue sauce that you like! You can even make it with a homemade bbq sauce recipe.
- BBQ Chicken Breasts - You can easily make this recipe using this same recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The cook time will vary slightly, but still air fry them until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
🔪Step by Step Instructions
Making Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is about as easy as it gets! Dry rub the chicken, air fry, then brush with your favorite bbq sauce. Ready in only 20 minutes!
Photo 1 - In a small bowl, mix up the spices. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice rub on both sides.
Photo 2 - Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the chicken.
Photo 3 - Air fry at 375 degrees F for 16-18 minutes for thighs or 14-16 minutes for breasts, until the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F.
Photo 4 - Brush the tops of the chicken generously with the barbecue sauce. Air fry again at 400 degrees F for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is a little bubbly and caramelized.
💭Recipe Tips:
- Use Meat Thermometer to Check Internal Temperature - This is the best way to know that chicken is fully cooked. The internal temp should be at least 165 degrees F, but I prefer 170-175 degrees F for thighs.
- Use Similar Sized Chicken Thighs - If possible, it's best to use chicken thighs (or breasts) that are a similar size so they cook evenly. If some pieces are smaller than others you can pull them out earlier then add them all back in for the bbq sauce step.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
The cook time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken thighs, but most boneless chicken thighs cook in about 15-20 minutes in the air fryer.
The cook time will vary based on the size of the chicken breasts, but most chicken breasts cook in about 12-15 minutes in the air fryer.
For best results, cook the chicken in an even layer and do not stack the breasts or thighs. This helps them cook evenly and helps the tops get a little crispy and caramelized.
You can put a layer of foil on the bottom of your air fryer if you want easy clean up. However, know that the foil will block the air flow on the bottom so you won't get the same crisp air fryer results. Be careful that the foil isn't coming too far up the side or the air fryer fan could grab it.
Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. For chicken thighs, many people prefer the texture of 170-175 degrees F, but for breasts 165 degrees F is perfect.
🍽Storage and Reheating
- Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating - Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350 degrees F about 5 minutes until warmed.
🍗Related Air Fryer Recipes
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PrintRecipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe gives you tender, juicy, chicken thighs or breasts that are coated in slightly caramelized barbecue sauce. Coat the chicken with a spice rub to add extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 boneless skinless chicken thighs, or breasts
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional
- Cooking Spray
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Rub Chicken - In a small bowl, mix up the spices. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice rub on both sides.
- Add to Air Fryer - Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, add the chicken, and spray the tops of the chicken with a quick spritz of the spray.
- Air Fry - Air fry at 375 degrees F for 16-18 minutes for thighs or 14-16 minutes for breasts, until the internal temp is at least 165 degrees F.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce - Brush the tops of the chicken generously with the barbecue sauce. Air fry again at 400 degrees F for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is a little bubbly and caramelized.
- Serve - Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving with sides of your choice.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes until warmed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 278
- Sugar: 13.9 g
- Sodium: 507.8 mg
- Fat: 4.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.6 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 38.8 g
- Cholesterol: 124.1 mg
Katie says
Love how quick these cooked! Turned out great!