Air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are truly amazing, that’s why I use to cook them so often. Using an air fryer helps to achieve crispy skin on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside.
The best thing I love about these air fryer BBQ chicken thigs is that they are quick to prepare and you just need to mix a few ingredients with BBQ sauce and let the air fryer do the rest for you. You can pair them up with any side dish and your favorite dipping sauce.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are a tasty and satisfying meal that’s easy to make and enjoyable to eat. And the BBQ flavor adds a delicious smokiness and tanginess that elevates the dish. Additionally, air frying is a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as it uses significantly less oil.
Ingredients
5 chicken thighs (with skin)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 cup barbecue sauce or to taste
1 tsp pink salt or normal salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp ground paprika
2 tbsp of cooking oil
Step-By-Step Guide For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Step-1 First, use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs dry.
Step-2 Take a bowl and add ingredients one by one. Add cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. and then add 2 tablespoon of cooking oil to the mixture, mix well, and set aside.
Step-3 Put chicken thighs in the mixing bowl and coat them well from all sides.
Step-4 Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 3 minutes.
Step-5 Put the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 380 F.
Step-6 After 10 minutes, take the basket out and coat the chicken thighs with barbecue sauce and cook for another 6-8 minutes at the same temperature.
And that’s it, your air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are ready. Enjoy!
How To Storage & Reheat BBQ Chicken Thighs
You can store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in your refrigerator. You can store them for 3-4 days. And when you want to have them again, you can reheat them in the oven and air fryer. The oven will take more time, so I would suggest using air fryer for reheating them. Simply put them in an air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes at 360 F. You can also microwave them as well.
Recipe Tips & Notes
1- These recipe timings are for fresh chicken thighs. If you have frozen chicken thighs, then cook them when they are at room temperature.
2- You can also use seasonings of your choice. And you can adjust the amount of the ingredients as per your taste.
3- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your own air fryer performance. So keep checking the chicken thighs in the last moments of cooking.
4- If you’re using boneless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time slightly, as they cook more quickly.
5- Preheat your air fryer before cooking chicken thighs as it helps in better texture and crispiness.
What Side Dishes To Pair With BBQ Chicken Thighs
You can try some side dishes with BBQ chicken thighs to make a complete meal. Below are some of my suggestions:
How Long Do I Cook Chicken Thighs In An Air Fryer?
If you are cooking fresh chicken highs, then 16-18 minutes are good enough to cook them thoroughly. The tip is to experiment with the cooking times for the first time, then you will have a better idea regarding your air fryer’s performance and what time it takes to cook BBQ chicken thighs.
What Temperature Should I Set For Air-frying Chicken Thighs?
Chicken thighs cook well at a moderate temperature. I use 360-370 F, as at moderate temperature it cooks more evenly from the inside as well.
However, cooking times and temperatures may vary slightly depending on the specific air fryer model and the size of the chicken thighs, so be sure to consult your air fryer’s manual for any specific recommendations.
Can I Use Skin-on Chicken Thighs In The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use skin-on chicken thighs, I have also used the same for this recipe. I like to cook chicken with its skin, as the skin itself has its own taste. But if you don’t like to eat chicken thighs with skin, you can take off the skin and cook accordingly.
How Can I Ensure The Chicken Thighs Are Fully Cooked?
The texture itself tells the story if they are cooked or not. Still, if you are unsure whether chicken thighs are properly cooked or not, then use an instant thermometer and check the internal temperature. If the internal temperature is 165 F or higher, then it means chicken thighs are cooked and safe to consume.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 Chicken thighs (with skin)
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Coriander
- 1 tsp Pink salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Ground paprika
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- Barbecue sauce
Instructions
- First, use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs dry.
- Take a bowl and add ingredients one by one. Add cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. and then add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the mixture, mix well, and set aside.
- Put chicken thighs in the mixing bowl and coat them well from all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 3minutes.
- Put the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 380 F.
- After 10 minutes, take the basket out and coat the chicken thighs with barbecue sauce and cook for another 6-8 minutes at the same temperature.
Nutrition
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