The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
If you like chicken thighs but want to take them to a different level, try making air fryer BBQ chicken thighs.
Made with your classic bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, these juicy, tender thighs are marinated and then coated with BBQ sauce while cooking.
You can even brush on a little more BBQ sauce when they are done and serve them with your favorite side dishes!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that you will need to make these BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer. It’s really just chicken, oil, spices, and a classic BBQ sauce.
- Chicken thighs – Preferably bone-in, skin-on for extra flavor, but boneless and/or skinless will also work.
- Granulated garlic – Or garlic powder.
- Ground coriander – Or other spices of your choice, such as paprika.
- Salt – Adjust to taste.
- Olive oil – Not extra virgin; alternatively, use a neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable, avocado, or canola oil.
- BBQ sauce – BBQ sauce of your choice. You can also make your own.
Recipe Tips
Before you make these BBQ air fryer chicken thighs, have a read through these tips:
- Using bone-in, skin-on thighs makes the chicken extra flavorful and juicy, but you can use boneless, skinless thighs as well. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will likely be shorter.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken thighs should be placed in a single layer so they cook evenly. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the chicken with the skin-side down first and then skin-side up to finish – this makes the skin nice and crispy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken – it should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t overcook the chicken as this can dry it out.
Step by Step Instructions
If you like step-by-step process photos, have a look at this section where we show you exactly how to make BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer. This way you can easily follow along at home!
Alternatively, you can skip to the printable recipe card below for ingredients and instructions.
First, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
Meanwhile, make 2 to 3 diagonal cuts in the skin of each thigh, cutting lightly into the meat.
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the oil, coriander (optional), salt, and granulated garlic.
Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat them well with the marinade.
If you have time, you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to let the flavors soak in (recommended but not required).
Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down. They shouldn’t overlap – air fry in batches if necessary.
Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes on one side. Then flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.
Brush the tops of the chicken thighs with some of the BBQ sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.
Flip again, brush with more sauce, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs, whether they have skin, and your air fryer.
Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes (you can cover the plate with aluminum foil if you like).
Then serve them with extra BBQ sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftover cooked chicken thighs, allow them to cool and then store them in a sealed container or wrapped in aluminum foil in the fridge. They will keep for up to 3-4 days.
You can eat the leftovers cold or reheat them in the air fryer at a lower temperature, such as 280 degrees Fahrenheit.
FAQ
The exact cooking time depends on the size of the chicken thighs, whether they are skin-on thighs, and your air fryer. Our skin-on, bone-in BBQ chicken thighs cook for a total of 25 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. They cook for the first 10 minutes, then for 5 minutes after flipping, then another 5 minutes after brushing on BBQ sauce, and a final 5 minutes after flipping and brushing with sauce on the other side.
These chicken thighs can be served for dinner with a variety of side dishes. We like potato side dishes like baked potatoes or homemade wedges. You can also pair them with rice and grilled vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower.
Related Recipes
For more tasty air fryer chicken recipes, have a look at these creations and try them out!
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fried Lemon Chicken Thighs (coming soon!)
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 5 tablespoons BBQ sauce, approximately
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- Make 2 to 3 diagonal cuts into the skin of each thigh, also lightly cutting into the meat.6 chicken thighs
- Whisk together olive oil, coriander (optional), salt, and granulated garlic in a large bowl.1/2 teaspoon coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/3 teaspoon granulated garlic
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat them well with the marinade. If you have time, you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes on one side. Then flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.
- Brush the tops of the chicken thighs with some of the BBQ sauce and air fry for another 5 minutes. Flip again, brush with more sauce, and cook for another 5 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs, whether they have skin, and your air fryer.5 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes (you can cover the plate with aluminum foil if you like). Then serve them with extra BBQ sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Using bone-in, skin-on thighs makes the chicken extra flavorful and juicy, but you can also use boneless, skinless thighs. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will likely be shorter.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken thighs should be placed in a single layer so they cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry the chicken with the skin-side down first and then skin-side up to finish – this makes the skin nice and crispy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken – it should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t overcook the chicken as this can dry it out.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
