Air Fryer BBQ Seasoned Chicken Thighs
These air fried chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and full of smoky BBQ flavor. They are perfect for busy family nights when you need dinner fast but still want it to taste amazing. Works with bone in chicken thighs or boneless. The whole house smells like a summer cookout without the grill drama.
Ingredients
- 4 bone in skin on chicken thighs or boneless if you like
- 2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning mix store bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce for sticky glaze
Instructions
Step 1: Dry the Chicken
- Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. Dry skin makes crispy skin.
Step 2: Add Seasoning
- Rub the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle BBQ seasoning, salt, and pepper on all sides.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and let it preheat a few minutes.
Step 4: Cook Skin Side Down
- Place the chicken skin side down in the basket with space between each piece. Cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Flip and Finish
- Flip the chicken skin side up. Cook for another 10 to 12 minutes or until the inside is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 6: Make it Saucy
- If you love extra sticky BBQ, brush the tops with BBQ sauce and air fry 2 more minutes.
Notes
Tips
- Do not crowd the basket or the skin will not crisp.
- Use parchment paper in the air fryer if you hate scrubbing.
- Always check the temperature. Chicken thighs taste best when juicy but fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest 3 minutes before serving so the juices stay inside.
Variations
- Try lemon pepper seasoning instead of BBQ for a fresh twist.
- Use a spicy BBQ rub if you want more heat.
- Swap in boneless skinless thighs and lower the cook time by about 4 minutes.
- Add a light honey glaze for sweet crispy air fryer chicken thighs.