Tasty barbecue chicken straight out of the air fryer!
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Believe it or not, there is more than one way to cook barbecue chicken. While some folks will always prefer the grill, an air fryer provides a great alternative. The best part of using an air fryer is that you don’t have to sacrifice taste or flavor. With chicken thighs, if you keep the ingredients the same, it tastes just as good as it would coming off the grill.
Cooking in an air fryer is usually among the healthiest options. But that’s not the only reason to make BBQ chicken thighs that way. The reason is that these chicken thighs are quick and easy to prepare but remain juicy and flavorful. In the air fryer, you can still whatever spices and sauce you prefer. You can also ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked to perfection. In other words, you can’t go wrong with barbecue chicken thighs in the air fryer.
Of course, there are endless ways to prepare chicken. You don’t have to always cook air fryer BBQ chicken thighs. Instead, you can give air fryer BBQ chicken wings a try. Similarly, you can try BBQ paleo chicken wings in the slow cooker or BBQ chicken zoodle casserole. Just in case barbecue chicken isn’t your favorite, there are plenty of other options. You can try easy oven baked chicken thighs or mix things up a little with Middle Eastern keto slow cooker chicken thighs.
Are Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are healthier than other methods of cooking chicken. In the air fryer, the grease and oil that typically increase the amount of fat in chicken are removed from the equation. As a result, these air fryer chicken thighs are low in saturated fat and trans fat while the chicken provides a good dose of protein. Also, keep in mind that the recipe calls for low-sugar barbecue sauce. This can make a big difference when looking at air fryer BBQ chicken thighs from a health perspective.
Sauce and spices
You don’t have to be an expert to know that good barbecue chicken is all about the right sauce and combination of spices. The recipe we have keeps it rather basic and uses sugar-free barbecue sauce to ensure a healthy recipe. But feel free to cook how you want because nobody is looking over your shoulder. Baste your chicken thighs in whatever barbecue sauce you want and use as much sauce as you want.
Meanwhile, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are all good choices. But they aren’t the only choices. There are plenty of other spices that can complement your favorite barbecue sauce and help you make tasty chicken. For instance, chili flakes and cayenne are perfect if you want spicy chicken. Hot pepper sauce and sriracha are also excellent options if you want your air fryer chicken thighs to have a kick to them.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup your favorite low-sugar barbecue sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep & Season
Trim and dry chicken thighs before scoring the skin. Mix spices and coat the chicken evenly for a flavorful crust.
Air Fry & Sauce
Preheat the air fryer, cook chicken skin-side down, then brush with BBQ sauce for a caramelized layer of flavor.
Finish & Serve
Flip, sauce again, and air fry until crispy. Let rest, then serve these succulent BBQ chicken thighs warm.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Any leftover chicken thighs can be wrapped in foil or stored in a resealable bag or airtight container. They will stay good in the fridge for 3 or 4 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.
If you want to grill chicken in an air fryer, it’s best to use a grill basket or pan to help get the grill taste without an actual grill.
It’s important not to overcrowd an air fryer, so always place the chicken thighs in a single layer inside the air fryer. If needed, cook the thighs in batches to ensure the air fryer isn’t overcrowded and everything cooks evenly.
To get the most taste out of your air fryer BBQ chicken thighs, marinate the chicken overnight before cooking it.
Serving Suggestions
When you make BBQ chicken thighs, that’s always going to be the main course. But what about side dishes? Well, you can’t go wrong with rice, whether it’s cilantro lime cauliflower rice or Mexican rice. Of course, you may want to include a vegetable side dish. That could be something like shaved Brussels sprouts or a plate of parmesan roasted broccoli. If your chicken thighs are being eaten for a proper outdoor barbecue, make sure they are complemented by the best pasta salad. Last but not least, don’t forget to cap off the meal with a great dessert like healthy cottage cheesecake.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup your favorite low-sugar barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the chicken thighs. Trim any excess skin or fat for a healthier meal. Pat the thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely in the air fryer.
- Score the skin side of the chicken thighs lightly, making shallow cuts. This helps the seasoning penetrate and gives more flavor to your cooked thighs.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and sea salt.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated. This is what creates a delicious crust.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, brush the chicken generously with barbecue sauce.
- Continue to cook for another 5 minutes to allow the barbecue sauce to caramelize.
- Flip the chicken thighs to skin-side up and apply another layer of barbecue sauce. Cook for a final 3 to 5 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping if desired. DEVOUR!
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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