Looking to amp up your weeknight dinners with something extra special? This air fryer BBQ chicken recipe makes a deliciously savory meal with gorgeous golden-brown chicken thigh and smoky potato wedges. Pair it with fresh green lettuce and juicy cherry tomatoes for a boost of veggies.
Ingredients You'll Need
Let’s take a look at the ingredients needed for this air fryer BBQ chicken recipe:
- Chicken: We opt for skin-on bone-in chicken thigh for this recipe to bring out the full BBQ taste with juicy tender meat and crispy skin.
- BBQ sauce: Before frying, the chicken is going to sit in this luscious BBQ sauce that we make from scratch. We love its delicious combination of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors with a slight pungent kick. Simply mix together garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, flour, ground black pepper, and ketchup.
- Potatoes: Potatoes make an excellent pair with chicken. We cut them into wedges, then brush them with a layer of olive oil and sprinkle on top some Cajun seasoning before air-frying for extra flavor.
- Green lettuce: Green lettuce lightens heavy dishes like this one by adding a refreshing taste. You can select any kind you fancy or add more greens to this base.
- Cherry tomatoes: The nice umami flavor of cherry tomatoes works beautifully with the BBQ sauce. Its juiciness also makes every bite enjoyable.
Is This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe Healthy?
Yes, our air fryer BBQ chicken is healthy. Here’s why:
Thanks to the chicken thighs, our dish contains a considerable amount of protein, with 26.8 grams for one serving. It's important to consume enough protein since it gives your body the energy it needs for daily activities and helps to maintain and build muscle mass.
Besides the chicken, we also include a variety of vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, and green lettuce, for a boost of fiber and other essential nutrients.
Plus, we have calculated the amount of each ingredient so that the nutritional profile of the dish follows the 2020 – 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Specifically, for each serving, there are 498 calories, 7.2 g saturated fats, and 574 mg sodium.
How to Store and Reheat
You can keep the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for around 2 to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or bake in a preheated oven for 5 minutes.
What to Serve With
For a well-rounded meal, pair our air fryer BBQ chicken with the following delicious sides:
- Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe
- Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
- Healthy Watermelon Arugula Salad Recipe
- Zucchini Fries Recipe
Week-Nights Chicken Eats With Your Air Fryer
Our air fryer peri peri chicken recipe has all the flavors of the original version, but comes together more quickly and mess-free. The chicken ends up juicy, tender, and delectable, with just the right kick of spice.
Do you want some crispy, blistered fried chicken legs for dinner tonight? Try ours! It does not require oil because it is cooked in an air fryer, and it is served with a salad to increase your nutrient intake.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe
This air fryer BBQ chicken recipe makes a satisfying meal with gorgeous golden-brown chicken thigh paired with tasty potato wedges, fresh lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for weeknight dinners and special enough for guests.
- cook TIME 53 mins
- prep TIME 7 mins
- total TIME 1 hr
- COURSE Main Dish
- CUISINE American
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 498 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 20 oz skin-on bone-in chicken thigh
- 20 oz potato (cut into wedges)
- 4 oz cherry tomatoes
- 3 oz green lettuce
- 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp Heinz ketchup
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep:
Cut the potato into wedges: Cut the potato into quarters. Slice through the middle of each quarter to have wedges.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
Finely chop the parsley.
Cook:
Microwave the potatoes: Add 20 oz potato to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 10 minutes.
Score the chicken: Score 20 oz skin-on bone-in chicken thigh for better flavor absorption.
Make the BBQ sauce: In a large mixing bowl, add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, and 4 tbsp Heinz ketchup. Stir to combine.
Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to the mixing bowl with the BBQ sauce and toss well to coat.
Air-fry the potato: Place the microwaved potato in the air fryer’s basket, scatter evenly, and brush with 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tsp Cajun seasoning on top and cook at 400 °F for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside when done.
Air-fry the chicken: Air-fry the marinated chicken at 375 °F for 25 minutes.
Garnish and serve: Serve the air fryer BBQ chicken with potato wedges, green lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary Consultant
Luna Regina
Writer, Author