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Oct 31 2024

Easy & Delicious Air Fried Crispy BBQ Chicken Thighs

Find the recipe card at the end of the post. Make sure to read the content as it contains chef tips, substitution options, and answers to FAQs to help you succeed the first time around!

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Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let’s make deliciousness!

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

The Best Air Fried Chicken

Who doesn’t crave juicy chicken thighs with crispy skin? The perfect blend of tenderness and crunch is irresistible. Thanks to the air fryer, you can create a mouthwatering air-fried BBQ chicken dish with just 3 simple ingredients!

This recipe is quick, easy, and delivers amazing flavor. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, your taste buds are in for a treat.

TKW Family Love

LORIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! I am blown away by how amazing this recipe is. Just a few ingredients and I had the best chicken I’ve ever had in my life! I cannot believe how crispy the skin gets! These were unbelievably exceptional! And thank you for giving us the alternative cooking times for breasts too!


Luca


Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Grab Your Ingredients

What I love about this dish is that it’s literally just 3 ingredients

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
  • Chicken Thighs – I went with deboned but left the skin on
  • Wing Wub Seasoning
  • Olive Oil

Coat The Chicken Thighs

  1. Coat all thighs with Wing Wub Seasoning. Place them on a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Place the tray into the fridge for 30 minutes.

If you’ve seen my other videos and in my newsletters, I’ve been recommending this Oxo BBQ grill prep and carry set. I use mine all the time! It’s the perfect size to marinate and prep larger items plus smaller items like these thighs.

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Into The Air Fryer

Since they first came out, I’ve tested countless air fryers. The Engineer in me owes it to you. It’s important to me as I will never put my name or brand behind a product I don’t love and use. It has to meet a certain set of standards and criteria. Repeatable quality is everything to me.

This Instant Vortex Air Fryer is the best I’ve ever used!

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380F. Remove the basket(s) from the air fryer, lightly mist it with olive oil, and place the chicken thighs, skin side down in a single layer.
  2. Air fry for 17 minutes. Flip the thighs and air fry for 9-12 minutes more or until the internal temperature reads 170F.
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Chef’s Tip: Air Fry Chicken Skin-Side Down

I’ve tried it both ways, starting with the skin side up and down, and I found that starting with the skin side down produces better results.

  • Starting with the skin side down, you render the fat and moisten the meat.
  • It makes it easier to flip.
  • Fliping the thighs gives the skin a “second” air fry, which is the secret to making it super crispy!

GBDC – Golden Brown Delicious & CRISPY!!!

Seriously, LOOK at that skin there! You know it’s insane when you get that crispy skin bubble like that!

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

That Crispy Chicken Skin

When you see those little bubbles form, you know you’ve done an amazing job and will have the crispest skin!

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Boneless vs Bone-In Chicken In The Air Fryer

  • Bone-In: I’ve not seen a difference in cooking time regarding chicken thighs. The most important thing to rely on is a meat thermometer. I prefer to cook dark meat at 170F, while white meat at 165F.
  • Skinless and Boneless Thighs: These will cook faster. Air fryer for 10 minutes, flip, and air fry another 4-7 or until the internal temp reads 170F
  • Boneless Breasts: this is where size does matter *If it has skin, still start with skin-side down
    • Small (5-7 ounces) – 7 minutes, flip then another 2-4 minutes or until internal temp is 165F
    • Medium (8-9 ounces) – 9 minutes, flip then another 2-4 minutes or until internal temp is 165F
    • Large (10+ ounces) – 10 minutes, flip then another 7-9 minutes or until internal temp is 165F
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Ways To Serve Crispy Air Fried Chicken Thighs

  • Entree – I’m a fan of this, served with mashed potatoes, buttered peas, cheesy corn casserole, and fresh bread.
  • Sandwich 1 – crispy bacon, sliced avocado, smoked gouda, arugula, and parmesan peppercorn dressing
  • Sandwich 2 – crusty roll and diner-style coleslaw on top
  • Salad – roughly chopped and put on top of this salad or this salad
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

What to serve with Air Fried Chicken Thighs

  1. Arugula Feta Salad with Fruit, Prosciutto, and Candied Nuts: This salad is a delightful blend of savory and sweet that will tantalize your taste buds.
  2. Classic Diner-Style Coleslaw: This is a retro diner-style coleslaw with a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy dressing mixed with cabbage, carrots, onions, and seasonings.
  3. Smoked Garlic Onion Parmesan Potato Chips: Elevate your boring potato chips by seasoning them with garlic and onion powder, coating them in Parmesan cheese, and smoking them to perfection!
  4. Esquites Recipe (Elote Street Corn Dip): Grilled corn is mixed with a luscious, creamy, spicy mixture of spices, fresh cilantro, and Cotija cheese!

Recipe Substitutions & Additions

Since I’ve already addressed using bone-in and chicken breasts above, the only thing you have the freedom to change is the seasoning

  • Italian – I’m not kidding when I say that this Chupacabra Italian Seasoning is the best I’ve ever tasted
  • Fajita – season with Chupacabra Fajita Seasoning and serve in tacos or tortillas
  • Classic Chicken – seriously Chupacabra Cluckalicous is what got me hooked on their entire seasoning line
Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!

Here’s what I used:

Recommended Products

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  • Corto Truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Corto Truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Instant Vortex Plus XL 8-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven

    Instant Vortex Plus XL 8-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven

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Easy & Delicious Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Thighs

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let's make deliciousness!
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5 from 8 reviews

Just 3 ingredients are needed to create crispy skin BBQ seasoned super juicy chicken thighs. Grab your air fryer & let’s make deliciousness!

  • Author: Lori
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 thighs
  • Category: air fryer, boneless thighs, easy dinner, fried chicken, healthy chicken, meal prep chicken
  • Method: air fryer
  • Cuisine: air fryer, boneless thighs, easy dinner, fried chicken, healthy chicken, meal prep chicken

Ingredients

  • 4–6 chicken thighs (boneless but with skin)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Wing Wub Seasoning

Instructions

  1. Coat all thighs in Wing Wub Seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Place them on a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Put the tray into the fridge for 30 minutes, uncovered.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Remove the basket(s) from the air fryer, lightly mist it with olive oil, and place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer.
  3. Air fry for 17 minutes. Flip the thighs and air-fry for 9-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.
  4. Remove from the basket(s) and enjoy!

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Make it a meal!

Pairs Perfectly With:

  • The Best Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin Sliders

    The Best Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin Sliders

  • Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ginger Chicken Thighs

    Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ginger Chicken Thighs

  • Simple Arugula Feta Salad with Fruit, Prosciutto, and Candied Nuts

    Simple Arugula Feta Salad with Fruit, Prosciutto, and Candied Nuts

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34 responses

  1. Adrienne
    January 9, 2025

    My air fryer is a bestie in the kitchen and I’m sure these will be juicy and delicious!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 9, 2025

      You are going to LOVE these!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth Krill
    January 8, 2025

    I love chicken thighs & will be trying this recipe in my air fryer which I’m still getting acquainted with & love. Double love here.

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 8, 2025

      Thank you so much!!!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  3. Karen D
    January 8, 2025

    It’s always great to find new air fryer recipes! I’ve heard of GBD… but you have added Crispy to the mix!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 8, 2025

      These are definitely crispy and I freaking love them!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  4. Gini Williams Cagle
    January 7, 2025

    Those look perfectly crispy and delicious! You gave some great tips for getting the perfect crunch.

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 8, 2025

      Thank you so much Gina!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  5. tammy escamilla
    January 6, 2025

    This looks amazing, Cannot wait to try it

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 6, 2025

      Thank you so much Tammy!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  6. Erin McKain
    December 29, 2024

    So I love chicken thighs. This is definitely a recipe I will try. Maybe I can get my family to like them too! If not I can do breasts so thanks for the extra instructions!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      December 29, 2024

      Breasts or thighs work with this recipe. It’s such a great, versatile recipe!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  7. MaryB
    December 27, 2024

    I don’t have a dedicated air fryer but I have a countertop oven with an air fryer setting. These look delicious! Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Lori
      December 28, 2024

      I have one of those too! This recipes works in those types of ovens!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  8. Heather Cassidy
    December 27, 2024

    We chicken thighs and to do a recipe in the air fryer is a game changer!! Thank you for the “skin side down” tip!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      December 27, 2024

      You’re most welcome!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  9. Tim Johnson
    December 5, 2024

    These look so amazing. Can’t wait to give them a try. We love chicken thighs any way we can get them 😇

    Reply
    1. Lori
      December 5, 2024

      Thank you so much! These are amazing on a brioche bun with bacon, lettuce, cheese, and honey mustard!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  10. Luca
    October 31, 2024

    LORIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! I am blown away by how amazing this recipe is. Just a few ingredients and I had the best chicken I’ve ever had in my life! I cannot believe how crispy the skin gets! These were unbelievably exceptional! And thank you for giving us the alternative cooking times for breasts too!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      November 2, 2024

      OMgosh thank you so much Luca!!! You are going to LOVE this!!!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
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