Description

These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly crispy, made effortlessly in the Ninja Speedi. This quick and easy recipe delivers tender, smoky, and caramelized chicken in under 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Chicken & Seasoning:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp grapeseed oil (or canola/vegetable oil)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp chili powder
BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (use your favorite brand)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer

Set the Ninja Speedi to 390°F and preheat for 4 minutes.

2. Prepare the Seasoning

In a small bowl, mix together onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili powder.

3. Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Brush each thigh with grapeseed oil.
Evenly coat with the seasoning mixture on all sides.

4. Air Fry the Chicken

Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd).
Cook at 390°F for 9 minutes.
Flip the chicken thighs skin side up and cook for another 9 minutes.

5. Apply BBQ Sauce & Finish Cooking

Brush each thigh generously with BBQ sauce.
Air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes, until the sauce caramelizes and the internal temperature reaches 175°F.

6. Rest & Serve

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve hot with your favorite sides!

Notes

Boneless Thighs? Adjust cooking time to 16-18 minutes (internal temp: 165°F).
Extra Crispy? Increase cook time by 2-3 minutes before adding BBQ sauce.
Spicy Kick? Add cayenne pepper or increase chili powder.
No Grapeseed Oil? Use avocado, canola, or vegetable oil.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Air-Frying
Cuisine: American