Easy BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer or Oven

This is the best recipe for BBQ boneless chicken thighs—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! Made with paprika, garlic powder, and your favorite BBQ sauce, it’s a quick weeknight dinner. Cook these boneless skinless thighs in the air fryer or oven for a sticky, smoky, and delicious meal!

Four pieces of barbecue boneless skinless chicken thighs on a white plate with barbecue sauce.

This is the best recipe for BBQ boneless chicken thighs that are tender, juicy and full of flavor! This is my go-to method for a no-fail, yummy weeknight dinner that’s ready in no time. With a handful of simple ingredients, including paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ sauce, these chicken thighs cook perfectly in either the air fryer or oven. The barbecue sauce caramelizes beautifully, creating a sticky, smoky finish that makes this a truly delicious meal. 

As someone who’s perfected this bbq chicken recipe through countless family dinners, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer for busy nights. I include easy instructions for cooking it in the air fryer or baking it in the oven.

Why is it quicker to cook boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer than in the oven?

Cooking boneless skinless chicken in the air fryer is quicker because the hot air circulates around the chicken more efficiently, creating faster and more even cooking. Unlike the oven, which takes longer to heat up and distribute heat evenly, the air fryer’s compact size and fan-driven heat let you get perfectly cooked barbecue chicken in less time. Plus, no preheating means you’re saving extra minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This Barbecue Chicken Thighs Recipe

  • Quick and Easy Prep: Just season, brush on the sauce, and let the air fryer or oven do the work.
  • Family-Friendly Favorite: Everyone loves the sticky BBQ flavor—kids and adults alike.
  • Perfect Texture: The thighs stay juicy while the BBQ sauce caramelizes for a smoky finish.
  • Versatile Cooking Methods: Use your air fryer or oven, whichever you prefer.
An air fryer basket with four pieces of boneless skinless barbecue chicken thighs.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make the best boneless skinless bbq chicken thighs:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: The star of the recipe, these stay juicy and tender while soaking up the smoky BBQ flavors. Perfect for air fryer or oven cooking. You can also use boneless chicken breasts instead of boneless skinless thighs. But you will need to reduce the cook time by about 25%.

Light Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings stick and adds a light, smooth base for cooking without overpowering the BBQ sauce. You can also use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.

Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and enhances the color for that picture-perfect BBQ chicken look.

Garlic Powder: Brings a savory depth to the seasoning blend, making every bite more flavorful.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors, ensuring the perfect balance between seasoning and BBQ sauce.

Dash Black Pepper: Adds just a hint of spice to balance the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.

Barbecue Sauce: The ultimate finishing touch, it caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer or oven, giving the chicken that sticky, smoky goodness we all love. Here is a link to my homemade honey barbecue sauce.

A close-up of barbecue boneless skinless chicken thighs on a white plate.

How to Make My Air Fryer Barbecue Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy bbq dark meat. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut any excess fat from 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a dash of black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs. Brush both sides of the chicken with light olive oil.

Step 2: Cook in Air Fryer or Oven

AIR FRYER METHOD: Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 8 minutes. Flip, brush with 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, and cook for another 4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

OVEN METHOD: Preheat to 400°F. Place chicken thighs on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce, and bake another 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F..

Caramelize the Sauce: For extra stickiness, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after brushing with BBQ sauce.

Let the chicken rest for at least ten minutes before serving.

Spreading light olive oil on the season chicken thighs.
Placing the boneless skinless chicken thighs into the air fryer basket.
Brushing the barbecue sauce on the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket.
Boneless skinless chicken breast with barbecue sauce on a white plate.

Expert Recipe Tips

Use a meat thermometer: Always check for 165°F with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to ensure perfectly cooked chicken.

Avoid overcrowding: In the air fryer, leave space between the thighs for even cooking.

Marinate if you have time: Let the chicken sit with the seasoning for 30 minutes to intensify the flavor.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

  • Classic Pairing: Serve with coleslaw or potato salad and cornbread for a BBQ-inspired meal. Add a dash of BBQ seasoning to the coleslaw for an extra flavor boost.
  • Fresh Side: Pair with a crisp green salad to balance the smoky flavors. Drizzle with a dressing made from lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing touch.
  • On Rice or Quinoa: Spoon the chicken and extra sauce over white or brown rice or quinoa for a simple dinner. A sprinkle of onion powder on the rice adds depth to the meal.
  • In a Wrap: Slice the chicken and wrap it in a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Mix in a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the chicken for an extra punch of flavor.
  • As a Sandwich: Make BBQ chicken sliders with brioche buns and pickles. Add a pinch of chili powder to the BBQ sauce for a spicy twist.
  • Over Grilled Veggies: Serve on top of grilled zucchini, peppers, or asparagus. Brush the veggies with a mix of olive oil and BBQ seasoning before grilling for a cohesive BBQ vibe.
  • Taco Night: Chop the chicken and use it as a filling for BBQ chicken tacos. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle with onion powder for a zesty, smoky flavor.

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat Gently: Warm in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until heated through.

Freeze: Wrap cooked thighs individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Does this recipe work for bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, this recipe works for bone-in chicken thighs! The process is the same, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time since bone-in chicken takes a bit longer to cook. In the air fryer, cook at 385°F for 14–18 minutes on each side, brushing with BBQ sauce halfway through. In the oven, bake at 400°F for about 30–45 minutes, adding the BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for perfectly cooked chicken!

Can I use frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer or oven?
Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before seasoning and cooking. This ensures even cooking and allows the seasoning to stick properly.

What’s the best BBQ sauce for this chicken thigh recipe?
Any barbecue sauce works great, but I’m partial to my homemade honey barbecue sauce.

Can I make these skinless boneless chicken thighs ahead of time?
Absolutely! Season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance, then store it in the refrigerator. You can cook it when you’re ready for a quick, delicious dinner.

How do I prevent the chicken from drying out in the oven or air fryer?
The key is not to overcook. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Also, brushing the chicken with BBQ sauce during cooking helps lock in moisture.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken breasts are a great substitute. Just keep in mind that they cook faster, so adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking.

How do I reheat juicy chicken thighs without losing flavor?
Reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F. Add a fresh layer of BBQ sauce before reheating to keep them moist and flavorful.

What side dishes go best with BBQ chicken thighs?
Pair them with classic BBQ sides like baked beans, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. For a hearty option, serve them with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just make sure to cook the chicken in batches if using an air fryer, so the pieces don’t overlap. This ensures even cooking and that the BBQ sauce caramelizes perfectly.

What’s the best way to store leftover BBQ chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped portions for up to 2 months.

Four pieces of barbecue boneless skinless chicken thighs on a white plate with barbecue sauce.

Easy BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer or Oven

Dairy-Free diet-friendly recipe
Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
This is the best recipe for BBQ boneless chicken thighs—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! Made with paprika, garlic powder, and your favorite BBQ sauce, it’s a quick weeknight dinner. Cook these boneless skinless thighs in the air fryer or oven for a sticky, smoky, and delicious meal!
5 from 3 votes
Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon light olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • dash black pepper
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions
 

  • Cut any excess fat from 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a dash of black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs. Brush both sides of the chicken with light olive oil.
  • AIR FRYER METHOD: Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 8 minutes. Flip, brush with 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, and cook for another 4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
    OVEN METHOD: Preheat to 400°F. Place chicken thighs on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce, and bake another 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F..
    Caramelize the Sauce: For extra stickiness, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after brushing with BBQ sauce.
    Let the chicken rest for at least ten minutes before serving.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Use a meat thermometer: Always check for 165°F with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to ensure perfectly cooked chicken.
Avoid overcrowding: In the air fryer, leave space between the thighs for even cooking.
Marinate if you have time: Let the chicken sit with the seasoning for 30 minutes to intensify the flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 22gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 637mgPotassium: 342mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 204IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Keyword air fryer, barbecue sauce, bbq chicken, boneless skinless chicken thighs, dark meat
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂

5 Comments

  1. This chicken only takes a few minutes to prep and cooks in the less than 15 minutes in an air fryer! I hope you enjoy making it 🙂

5 from 3 votes

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