🍗 Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs – Crispy, Juicy, and Finger-Lickin’ Good!
Looking for a quick, delicious, and crowd-pleasing dinner idea? These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with smoky-sweet flavor. Whether you’re cooking for family or just yourself, this easy recipe will be your new weeknight favorite! 🙌
🛒 Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 🍗
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (your fave kind!) 🧴
- 1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
- 1 teaspoon onion powder 🧅
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️
- 1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 🖤
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the air fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. 🔥
2. Prep the chicken
Pat your chicken thighs dry using paper towels. This helps get that deliciously crispy skin! 🧻
3. Make your spice mix
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. 🥄
4. Season the chicken
Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs until they’re nicely coated. Don’t be shy—get in there! 😋
5. First round of cooking
Place the chicken skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t overlapping so they cook evenly. 🍽️
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes.
6. Flip and sauce it up
Open the air fryer, flip the chicken thighs over, and brush on your barbecue sauce generously. 🖌️
7. Final cook
Cook for another 8–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and caramelized. Use a meat thermometer if you’ve got one! 🌡️
8. Rest and serve
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This locks in all the juices. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! ⏳
⏰ Time Breakdown:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
🍴 Serve With:
Pair with a crisp salad, roasted veggies, or classic mac & cheese for a complete meal. You’ll be coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds)! 😍