Chicken
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken (Thighs, Breasts and Legs)
Sticky air fryer BBQ chicken at 380°F: boneless thighs in 16–20 minutes, breasts in 18–22, drumsticks in 22–26. Sauce in the last few minutes, to 165°F.
Quick answer
Cook BBQ chicken in the air fryer at 380°F195°C, flipping halfway, and brush on barbecue sauce for the last 3–4 minutes so it doesn't burn. Boneless chicken thighs take 16–20 minutes, 8 oz chicken breasts take 18–22 minutes, and bone-in thighs or drumsticks take 22–26 minutes. Chicken is done at 165°F74°C in the thickest part.
- Time
- 16–20 min (boneless thighs)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 165°F74°C in the thickest part
BBQ Chicken Thighs air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless skinless chicken thighs | 380°F195°C | 16–20 min | Sauce for the last 3–4 min |
| Bone-in chicken thighs | 380°F195°C | 22–26 min | Skin side down first |
| Boneless chicken breasts, 8 oz | 380°F195°C | 18–22 min | Pound thick ends even |
| Chicken drumsticks | 380°F195°C | 22–26 min | Turn halfway |
| Chicken leg quarters | 380°F195°C | 28–35 min | Check near the bone |
| Chicken wings (BBQ) | 380°F195°C | 22–26 min | Toss in sauce, then 2–3 min more |
| Chicken tenders, plain (BBQ glazed) | 380°F195°C | 10–12 min | Sauce for the last 2 min |
| Frozen boneless chicken thighs | 380°F195°C | 25–30 min | Season after 10 min |
| Reheating BBQ chicken | 350°F175°C | 4–6 min | To 165°F |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
BBQ chicken is one of the easiest weeknight dinners to make in the air fryer. A quick dry rub seasons the chicken, the hot air browns it, and a brush of barbecue sauce at the end turns sticky and caramelized, almost like it came off the grill. Thighs take about 20 minutes and stay juicy every time.
How to make BBQ chicken in the air fryer
- Pat the chicken dry and rub it with oil and a sweet, smoky seasoning.
- Air fry at 380°F195°C, flipping halfway.
- Brush on barbecue sauce for the last 3–4 minutes.
- Check the temperature: 165°F74°C in the thickest part.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve with extra sauce.
How long to cook BBQ chicken in the air fryer
At 380°F195°C, flipped halfway:
- Boneless thighs: 16–20 minutes
- Boneless breasts, 8 oz: 18–22 minutes
- Bone-in thighs: 22–26 minutes
- Drumsticks: 22–26 minutes
- Leg quarters: 28–35 minutes
Chicken pieces vary a lot in size, so use a thermometer and start checking a few minutes early.
Thighs, breasts or legs?
Thighs are the most forgiving. They have a little more fat, so they stay juicy even if they cook a few minutes too long. Breasts are leaner, so take them out right at 165°F74°C, and pound the thick end flatter so they cook evenly. Drumsticks and leg quarters take longest, but the bone keeps the meat moist and they’re great for feeding a crowd.
When to add the sauce
Barbecue sauce is mostly sugar, and sugar burns quickly at air fryer temperatures. Cook the chicken with a dry rub first, then brush on the sauce for the last 3–4 minutes. For a thicker, stickier glaze, brush on a second coat and cook 1 minute more.
Sauce and rub ideas
- Classic: your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce with the rub below.
- Honey BBQ: stir 1 tablespoon of honey into ½ cup of sauce.
- Spicy: add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne to the rub and a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce.
- Carolina-style: use a tangy mustard-based sauce.
- Dry rub only: skip the sauce and serve with sauce on the side for dipping.
Tips for juicy BBQ chicken
- Pat it dry so the rub sticks and the outside browns.
- Don’t crowd the basket. Leave space between the pieces.
- Use a thermometer. It’s the only way to know chicken is done without overcooking it.
- Rest it for 5 minutes before cutting so the juices stay in the meat.
What to serve with BBQ chicken
Classic barbecue sides work best: French fries, baby potatoes, sweet potatoes or green beans. For more barbecue, try our BBQ ribs or pork steaks.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover BBQ chicken within 2 hours, for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F175°C for 4–6 minutes, until it reaches 165°F74°C, with a little extra sauce brushed on. See our reheating guide.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Air fryer
- 380°F195°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 330 per serving with sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup barbecue sauce, plus more to serve
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Season. Pat the chicken dry. Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken with the oil, then with the seasoning on both sides.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F195°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Lay the thighs in the basket in a single layer, smooth side down. Cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook another 5–8 minutes.
- Glaze. Brush the tops generously with barbecue sauce and cook 3–4 minutes more, until the sauce is sticky and the thickest piece reads 165°F74°C.
- Rest. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
- Barbecue sauce has a lot of sugar and burns if it goes on at the start. Add it in the last few minutes.
- Thighs stay juicy even when cooked a little past 165°F74°C, up to about 175°F79°C. Breasts are best taken out right at 165°F74°C.
- In a 3–4 qt air fryer, cook the thighs in two batches.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook BBQ chicken in the air fryer?
At 380°F195°C, boneless thighs take 16–20 minutes, 8 oz chicken breasts take 18–22 minutes, and bone-in thighs and drumsticks take 22–26 minutes. Flip halfway and add the barbecue sauce for the last 3–4 minutes.
When do you put BBQ sauce on chicken in the air fryer?
In the last 3–4 minutes. Barbecue sauce is high in sugar, so it burns if it cooks for the full time. Season the chicken with a dry rub first, then brush on the sauce at the end so it turns sticky and caramelized.
What temperature should BBQ chicken be?
165°F74°C in the thickest part, the USDA safe temperature for chicken. Check with an instant-read thermometer away from the bone. Thighs and drumsticks stay juicy a little past that, up to about 175°F79°C.
How long do you cook BBQ chicken breast in the air fryer?
An 8 oz boneless chicken breast takes 18–22 minutes at 380°F195°C, flipped halfway, with sauce for the last 3–4 minutes. Pound the thick end so the breast is an even thickness, and take it out right at 165°F74°C so it doesn't dry out.
How long do you cook BBQ chicken legs in the air fryer?
Drumsticks take 22–26 minutes at 380°F195°C, turned halfway, and whole leg quarters take 28–35 minutes. Brush with sauce for the last 3–4 minutes, and check the temperature near the bone.
Can you put frozen chicken in the air fryer for BBQ chicken?
Yes. Frozen boneless thighs take about 25–30 minutes at 380°F195°C. Cook them plain for 10 minutes, then separate the pieces, brush with oil, season, and continue. Add the sauce at the end, and make sure they reach 165°F74°C.
How do you keep BBQ sauce from burning in the air fryer?
Add it only at the end, brush it on in a thin layer, and keep the temperature at 380°F195°C rather than 400°F205°C. If you want a thicker glaze, add a second coat for the last minute.
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