Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken: Air Fryer Boneless Thighs

Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken: Air Fryer Boneless Thighs

Boneless chicken thighs glazed and crisping in an air fryer basket
Photo via Unsplash

You don't need a grill or smoker to land the best BBQ glaze for chicken - an air fryer turns boneless thighs into a fast, weeknight-friendly dinner with a sticky, caramelized exterior in under 20 minutes total.

Why Air Fryer Thighs Work So Well

Boneless, skinless thighs have enough fat to stay juicy even under the intense, dry heat of an air fryer, unlike boneless breasts which dry out fast in the same conditions. The air fryer's circulating heat also does a great job setting a glaze quickly, since it's essentially a small, powerful convection oven.

Building the Glaze

For this method, warm Mild Pepper Spread with a splash of soy sauce for a savory-sweet base everyone will enjoy, or bump the heat with Red Hot Spread if your household likes things spicier.

Step-by-Step: Air Fryer Glazed Chicken Thighs

  1. Pat 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
  3. Arrange thighs in a single layer in the basket, without overcrowding.
  4. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  5. Warm 1/3 cup Mild Pepper Spread with 1 teaspoon soy sauce until smooth and pourable.
  6. Brush thighs generously with glaze and return to the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.
  7. Brush a second light coat and air fry 2 more minutes until glaze is bubbly and set.
  8. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

Why This Is the Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken on a Weeknight

Total active time here is under 10 minutes, and the whole dinner is done in about 20 - faster than most delivery orders. The air fryer's small, enclosed space also means less glaze wasted compared to a big open grill, so a little goes a long way.

Serving Ideas

Serve over rice with a quick cucumber salad, or slice and pile onto a sandwich with slaw. Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, unlike in a microwave where the glaze can turn gummy.

Shop Mild Pepper Spread and Red Hot Spread at smokymountainspread.com to find the best BBQ glaze for chicken on busy weeknights.

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