Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer are a great way to enjoy juicy, tender chicken thighs seasoned to perfection with a simple seasoning blend and cooked to your liking—whether in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill.
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These air fryer BBQ chicken thighs are amazing. The honey BBQ sauce caramelizes beautifully, giving a sticky glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend cookouts. It's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for the whole family!
If you love this, you need to check out Korean Fried Chicken (Air Fryer), Garlic Miso Chicken, and Spicy Sesame Chicken.
Jump to:
- Here’s what you need to make this Honey BBQ Chicken
- How to make Honey BBQ Chicken
- Substitutions
- Equipment
- 9 Kitchen Essentials
- How to store and reheat honey bbq chicken thighs air fryer
- Top tips for success
- Honey BBQ Chicken - FAQs
- Related
- How to serve Honey BBQ Chicken
- Don't miss out!
- Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
- Food safety
Here’s what you need to make this Honey BBQ Chicken
- boneless chicken thighs
- avocado oil
- garlic powder
- paprika
- salt
- black pepper
Honey BBQ Sauce:
- bbq sauce
- honey
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Honey BBQ Chicken
I love this recipe because it is so easy to make and my family goes nuts for them. One time, I made these honey BBQ chicken 3 times that week.
- Step 1: Combine all spices into a bowl. Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Step 2: Season the boneless chicken thighs. You can use bone-in chicken as well, just add 5 minutes to your cook time or until you reach 165 degrees internal.
- Step 3: air fry or bake skin side down. Baste, flip and baste again until its cooked.
- Step 4: Serve and enjoy!
Prep the chicken:
In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs with avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Make the sauce:
In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce with honey until well combined.
Cook the chicken:
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high and cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
Sauce it up:
During the last 8 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with the honey BBQ sauce on both sides. Let it caramelize slightly for extra flavor and char.
Substitutions
- Chicken: Swap boneless chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, brown sugar can be added to the Honey BBQ sauce.
- Spice: For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste.
- Flavor: Onion powder can enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Oil: You can use olive oil instead of avocado oil for a different flavor.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- You can also bake these or grill them.
- Knife
- Cutting board
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9 Kitchen Essentials
life-changing tools that will make your time easier in the kitchen!
How to store and reheat honey bbq chicken thighs air fryer
To store Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs, place them in a large bowl and let them cool before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and warm the chicken for 8-10 minutes until heated through. Enjoy your delicious leftovers!
Top tips for success
- Choose Different Cuts of Chicken: Feel free to use drumsticks, or chicken breasts. I like to use whatever is on sale!
- Use Little Oil for Crispy Skin: Lightly coat the chicken with oil before air frying to achieve crispy skin while keeping the tangy barbecue sauce intact.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F. Brush with smoky barbecue sauce in the last few minutes and serve with sides like potato salad for a perfect meal.
Honey BBQ Chicken - FAQs
For juicy chicken thighs, cook them in the air fryer at 375°F for about 18-20 minutes. Flip halfway through for best results. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
To BBQ in an air fryer, coat your chicken with tangy barbecue sauce before placing it in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F, allowing the sauce to caramelize and enhance the flavor throughout the cooking process.
To heat cooked chicken thighs in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F and warm them for about 5-8 minutes. Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to retain moisture and enjoy.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
How to serve Honey BBQ Chicken
As a busy mom, I tend to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a protein, side, and salad or roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas for honey bbq chicken thighs air fryer:
- Serve with rice and a side of Garlic Braised Kale.
- Pair with Garlic Fried Rice.
- Also, serve this with Asian Coleslaw as a refreshing side salad.
Don't miss out!
Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer are juicy, tender chicken thighs that are seasoned to perfection and cooked in air fryer or oven. The honey BBQ sauce caramelizes beautifully, giving a sticky glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend cookouts, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
- Total Time: 30 mimutes
- Yield: makes 8 chicken thighs 1x
Ingredients
8 boneless chicken thighs (boneless)
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Honey BBQ Sauce:
½ cup bbq sauce
2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce with honey until well combined.
- Cook the chicken:
Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high and cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
- Sauce it up: During the last 8 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with the honey BBQ sauce on both sides. Let it caramelize slightly for extra flavor and char.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Mains
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Matthew says
Do you baste the skin side before you put it in the air fryer or only baste the top before starting