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You are here: Home / Main Dishes / Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

February 17, 2023 by Tristin 12 Comments

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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken gets slathered in rich, tangy sauce and cooked to juicy perfection. This saucy chicken makes the perfect dinner recipe to make on busy weeknights since it is ready under 30 minutes! You can make boneless thighs or chicken legs with this recipe.

Easy air fryer recipes are our favorite recipes! If you are looking for more chicken recipes to make in our favorite kitchen appliance, try these Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs, delicious! Or Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer, made with pickle juice and a homemade Panko breading.

Above view of air fried barbecue chicken on a plate with a basting brush and a bowl of sauce.

Sweet, sticky, and finger lickin’ good, barbecue chicken is a classic barbecue recipe that is always a favorite at our house. It is a summer tradition to drag out the grill and ‘cue up some bbq chicken several times a month when it’s nice outside. I mean it pretty much makes the perfect summer meal.

But, when the weather gets chilly, we can no longer barbecue because no one is going out in freezing cold temperatures to heat up the grill.

This is just one of the reasons why the air fryer is one of my favorite cooking appliances, it is convenient to cook with any time of the year.

A plate full of air fryer bbq thighs.

When I make this recipe, I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs because they seem to cook pretty evenly and they cook quicker than some other cuts. You can also use chicken legs and they cook for a similar amount of time.

This bbq chicken recipe uses a store-bought bbq sauce to keep this a simple and quick dinner. If you have a favorite sauce that you make on your own, feel free to use it.

The whole family will love this easy weeknight dinner idea!

What is BBQ Chicken?

Barbecue chicken is often made on a grill where is gets cooked away from direct heat. The lid is closed to create an oven type environment where the heat completely surrounds the chicken cooking it from all sides.

You definitely don’t want to cook it over a direct source of heat on a grill or you will end up with crispy burnt chicken!

Very close up of barbecued chicken.

But, today we are making bbq chicken in the air fryer so there are no messy grills to deal with or worrying about where the chicken goes. It tastes just as good as grilled chicken even though it’s cooked with hot air instead of a grill.

PRO TIP! Add barbecue sauce at the end of air frying the chicken so that the sugars in the sauce don’t burn.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you need to make these air fryer chicken thighs. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient amounts.

  • Chicken: I love to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Bone in chicken thighs will take a bit longer to cook than the boneless ones. You can also make this recipe with chicken drumsticks with (bone-in, skin-on), but the cooking time may be a little less. You will need 6-8 drumsticks depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Oil: I usually cook with extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a little garlic flavor. This is part of the seasoning rub.
  • Onion Powder.
  • Poultry Seasoning: Adds an extra layer of flavor, you can leave this out if you like.
  • Paprika: You can use smoked paprika or plain paprika.
  • Salt: Brings out the flavor of the chicken. I like to use sea salt or kosher salt.
  • Pepper: I like freshly ground black pepper, it’s the best.
  • BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite bbq sauce or make your own.
All of the ingredients for air fryer barbecue chicken.

How to Make BBQ Chicken in an Air Fryer

Get ready for one easy main dish, air fryer bbq chicken thighs! Here are the basic instructions, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for full instructions.

  • Set the air fryer to preheat for 5 minutes.
  • Dry chicken off with a paper towel so that the oil and spices stick well.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the spices.
  • Put chicken in a large bowl, drizzle on the oil. Rub the oil in covering as much of the chicken as you can. Spinkle on the spices, rubbing them in as evenly as possible.
  • Add a parchment paper liner to the basket if you want easier cleanup.
  • Add the chicken to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer basket and brush bbq sauce onto just one side of the chicken, making sure to get the sides of the chicken. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Open air fryer again and flip over the chicken, brush on bbq sauce on the other side of the chicken. Cook for 3 more minutes until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees f.
Step by step instructions to make air fryer barbecue chicken.

What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken

Chicken is kind of like the color black, it works well with anything! Make your favorite side dishes to serve alongside bbq chicken. Here are some ideas we like:

  • With salad. Make a simple green salad or try pasta salad or potato salad.
  • Alongside grains. Serve chicken with hearty grains like quinoa, whole grain rice, or lemon butter rice.
  • With vegetables. Any vegetables are great with chicken. Try roasted asparagus, air fryer parmesan broccoli, or air fryer squash and zucchini.
  • Potatoes. Serve it with salt and vinegar smashed potatoes, air fryer fries, cheesy garlic mashed potatoes, or air fryer sweet potato cubes.

Tips for Success

  • Room temperature chicken. For best results, pull the chicken out 20-30 minutes before you are going to cook it to allow it to warm up a little.
  • Easier cleanup. Line the air fryer with parchment paper to help with cleanup, since barbecue chicken can be messy!
  • Use a meat thermometer. This one is a must! Check the internal temperature of the chicken, you want it to be at least 165 deg F for chicken.
  • Don’t skip the dry rub. Using a rub on your chicken gives it another layer of flavor outside of the bbq sauce.
  • Overcrowding chicken. For best results, make sure not to put too much chicken in the air fryer basket, you don’t want to overcrowd the chicken and have it not cook properly. Also, don’t stack chicken in the air fryer, you want to keep it in a single layer.
  • Cooking time. The cook time on chicken really depends on the thickness. If it is thicker it may need a couple more minutes of time to cook or less if it is thinner.

Recipe Variations

  • Homemade bbq sauce. This recipe uses a store bought sauce to keep this a simple and quick dinner. If you have a favorite bbq sauce that you make on your own, feel free to use it. To keep this recipe low carb, use a keto barbecue sauce.
  • Your favorite spices. Use different spices than what I have used here, whatever your favorite spices are for chicken. Some great options are thyme or coriander.
  • Cooking for a crowd. Easily double this recipe, you will just need to cook the chicken in batches.
  • Hint of spicy. For a bit of spiciness, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in with the spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do chicken thighs need to cook in the air fryer? Boneless skinless chicken thighs will cook in the air fryer for a total of 18-20 minutes.

What temperature to cook bbq chicken? You want to cook chicken until the internal temperature is 160°f and the juices are clear. The temperature will continue to raise up to 165°f. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before cutting into it.

Can you bbq in an air fryer? Yes, the air fryer can kind of be treated like a grill. It isn’t exactly grilling but you can definitely make bbq chicken in it.

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer? You can definitely add raw chicken to the air fryer.

Do you put bbq sauce on chicken before air frying? I don’t recommend adding the barbecue sauce before cooking the chicken. The sugars in the sauce can easily burn if you add it too soon.

Can you put bbq sauce on the chicken while it’s in the air fryer? Yes, and that is what we are going to do in this recipe. Almost all the way through the cooking process is when we will add the sauce.

Can I use cooking spray in the air fryer? I don’t recommend using cooking spray because it can cause the coating on the air fryer to deteriorate. I prefer just basting on a little oil with a pastry brush.

How to Store & Reheat Leftover Chicken

How to store leftovers? Let the chicken come to room temperature and put in an airtight container. It should last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat bbq chicken? Pre-heat the air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. Cook for 5-7 minutes until heated to desired temperature. Keep a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.

Can I Freeze Air Fryer Thighs Chicken?

How to freeze bbq chicken? Let the chicken (even with barbecue come to room temperature before putting into an air tight, freezer safe container. can be frozen for 3-6 months, just be sure to label with the recipe and date.

How to thaw bbq chicken? Thaw frozen cooked chicken in the refrigerator overnight until defrosted.

Above view of a plate full of saucy bbq chicken.

Try these other chicken recipes!

  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast without Breading
  • Frozen Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs

If you’ve tried this air fryer barbecue chicken recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes!

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Above view of air fried barbecue chicken on a plate with a basting brush and a bowl of sauce.
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5 from 12 votes

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken gets slathered in rich, tangy sauce and cooked to juicy perfection. This saucy chicken makes the perfect dinner recipe to make on busy weeknights since it is ready under 30 minutes! This recipe includes instructions to make boneless thighs or chicken legs.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Total Time23 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 285kcal
Author: Tristin – Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

  • Set the air fryer to 400° f to preheat for 5 minutes. 
  • Dry chicken off with a paper towel so that the oil and spices stick well. In a small bowl, mix together the spices. 
  • Put chicken in a large bowl, drizzle on the oil. Rub the oil in covering as much of the chicken as you can. Spinkle on the spices, rubbing them in as evenly as possible.
  • Add a parchment paper liner to the basket for easier clean up. Add the chicken thighs or legs to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Open the air fryer basket and flip the chicken over. Brush the bbq sauce onto the top side of the chicken. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Open air fryer again and flip over the chicken, brush on bbq sauce on the other side of the chicken. Cook for 3 more minutes until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°f.
  • Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting into it.

Notes

    • Homemade bbq sauce. This recipe uses a store bought sauce to keep this a simple and quick dinner. If you have a favorite bbq sauce that you make on your own, feel free to use it. To keep this recipe low carb, use a keto barbecue sauce.
    • Your favorite spices. Use different spices than what I have used here, whatever your favorite spices are for chicken. Some great options are thyme or coriander.
    • Cooking for a crowd. Easily double this recipe, you will just need to cook the chicken in batches.
    • Hint of spicy. For a bit of spiciness, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in with the spices.
    • Leftover chicken will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 811mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

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Filed Under: Main Dishes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megane

    February 21, 2023 at 5:20 am

    5 stars
    Such a quick and easy recipe. The chicken cooked perfectly. Thanks heaps.

  2. Kathryn

    February 21, 2023 at 6:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love how easy this BBQ chicken is! It’s so moist, flavorful and juicy! I served this with rice and a salad and it was the perfect meal.

  3. Ann

    February 22, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken came out delicious! The air fryer was perfect to cook the chicken. The BBQ sauce was also very tasty!

  4. Helene

    February 23, 2023 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    Chicken thighs are a staple at my house, so this recipe is perfect for busy nights. It’s easy and hassle-free, it doesn’t take much time. Thanks

  5. Kristina

    February 23, 2023 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    I used drumsticks and the timing was spot on. They were delicious- thoroughly coated in the sauce and not drippy at all. I added some red pepper flakes for some spice.

  6. Elizabeth

    February 24, 2023 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    This chicken was very delicious! I loved all of the seasoning you have listed. Will definitely make this chicken again!

  7. Pam

    February 24, 2023 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    Who needs a grill when you can make delicious bbq chicken in your air fryer!! Everyone loved this!

  8. Megane

    February 26, 2023 at 12:41 am

    5 stars
    This chicken is sensational. I loved the spice combination and baking it in the air fryer made it a quick and simple dinner when I was exhausted. Thanks for another great recipe share.

  9. Lisa

    February 26, 2023 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    This chicken is so good! I couldn’t like my air fryer anymore!!

  10. Jacqueline Debono

    February 26, 2023 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    This bbq chicken in the airfryer was a game changer. I normally only make it in summer on the grill. Now I can make it all year round. Super recipe!

  11. Dani

    February 26, 2023 at 7:10 pm

    5 stars
    I have tried so many BBQ Chicken recipes over the years and when I tried your recipe I FINALLY found a keeper. Love how detailed the instructions are for this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

  12. Enriqueta E Lemoine

    February 27, 2023 at 5:18 am

    5 stars
    Tristin, this air fryer BBQ Chicken recipe is a masterpiece: flavorful and easy to make. I’m always looking for chicken recipes, and yours is one I’ll be making again and again. Thanks for the inspiration.

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features easy recipes made with tasty ingredients. Read More…

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