Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken

Air fryer bbq chicken wings and thighs, cooked and presented on a wooden board

This air fryer barbecue chicken is a quick and delicious way to enjoy sticky, saucy chicken without firing up the grill! It’s ready in under 30 minutes and loaded with smoky BBQ flavor.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken, meat

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 22

Resting Time: 5

Makes:

Calories: 751kcal

Author: Michael

Ingredients

4-8 Chicken thighs and/or drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on

For the barbecue sauce

½ cup tomato ketchup
2 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

If making your own barbecue sauce, simply mix together all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. If using a pre-made sauce, simply skip this step.
Pat the chicken pieces dry, pop them in a large bowl and toss with the barbecue sauce to coat the chicken.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down.
Cook for 20–22 minutes at 360°F (180°C), turning halfway through.
Let the air fried bbq chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and for guidance only.

Don’t overcrowd the basket—give each piece room to crisp up.
Resting after cooking helps juices redistribute and keeps the chicken tender.
If you’re worried about the sauce burning in the air fryer (which can sometimes happen with sweet sauces), you can add the barbecue sauce for just the second half of the cooking time.
All air fryers are different so check food regularly as it cooks and check chicken is thoroughly cooked all the way through before serving.

Nutrition