Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

It couldn’t be easier to make these air fryer BBQ chicken thighs. They are flavourful, tender and juicy thanks to a simple homemade dry rub. Cooking using the air fryer means they are perfectly cooked every time in less than 20 minutes! This classic barbeque chicken will be a staple weeknight dinner served with your favourite salads and sides.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 393kcal

Author Sally

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ tablespoon ground cumin
½ tablespoon smoked paprika
½ tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon chilli powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 kg skinless boneless chicken thighs approx 6-8 thighs
½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar with the cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper until well combined to create your dry rub.
Using your hands, rub the mixture into the chicken thighs, making sure all areas of the chicken are covered.
If your air fryer has a preheat function, preheat the air fryer otherwise just let it run for a few minutes at 200°C or 400°F before lightly spraying the basket with cooking oil. Place the chicken thigh fillets into the basket being careful not to overcrowd them and cook the fillets in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook the chicken for a total of 18-20 minutes, turning the fillets after 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, brush both sides of the fillets generously with BBQ sauce and finish cooking.
Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 75°C or 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favourite sides and extra BBQ sauce.

Notes

Gluten Free: If you are making this recipe to be gluten free, make sure to double check the BBQ sauce you’re using. Some are but others are not. I am using Sweet Baby Ray’s Original which is labelled as a gluten free BBQ sauce.

Nutrition