Description
Sizzling BBQ chicken emerges from your air fryer with crispy, caramelized edges and juicy interior. Minimal effort delivers maximum flavor, making this quick dinner a game-changer for busy home cooks seeking delicious weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken thighs, boneless skinless
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- Non-stick cooking spray
Spice Rub:
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Set air fryer to 375°F and allow it to fully preheat for optimal cooking temperature.
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and reduce unnecessary greasiness.
- Create a robust spice blend and thoroughly massage into both surfaces of the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Coat air fryer basket with nonstick spray to prevent potential sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding, allowing proper air circulation.
- Cook chicken for 7 minutes, then carefully flip each piece to ensure uniform browning and consistent internal temperature.
- After flipping, continue cooking for an additional 7 minutes until chicken begins to develop a golden exterior.
- Generously apply BBQ sauce to one side of chicken, then flip and coat the opposite side with remaining sauce.
- Return chicken to air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing sauce to caramelize and chicken to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Verify doneness by checking that chicken is thoroughly cooked and sauce has created a glossy, slightly charred surface.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and better sauce adherence.
- Adjust cooking time for different chicken thicknesses, using meat thermometer to verify 165F internal temperature.
- Use low-sugar BBQ sauce for healthier version or make homemade sauce to control sugar and sodium levels.
- Let chicken rest 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain juices and enhance flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg