The Best Juicy BBQ Rub Air Fryer Chicken Recipe

This JUICY BBQ Rub Chicken recipe is one of my easiest chicken Air Fryer recipes.

This BBQ Rub Chicken is so easy and it always reminds me why the Air Fryer is one of my favorite appliances in my home. Now you know why I have 3 Air Fryers ! This recipe does SO well in an air fryer, and once you try it you will know why I love it so much! As a mom of four, I love being able to create easy healthy meals in less than 30 minutes with the help of my air fryer. If you aren't Team Air Fryer yet, don't worry, You can also easily make my Juicy BBQ Rub chicken recipe in your oven at 380 deg for 30 minutes.

For an even simpler seasoning, try my juicy air fryer chicken thighs, made bone-in or boneless.

What is the SECRET to Juicy BBQ Rub Chicken?

The secret to Juicy BBQ Rub Chicken is the secret or not so secret ingredient. I LOVE using sour cream for this recipe because in addition to making the chicken extra juicy, it also adds an extra layer of flavor compared to yogurt. Yogurt is a healthier option, and sometimes I also use greek yogurt to substitute.

Every Air Fryer is Different.

I have 3 Air fryers, and my newest one is a BEAST. I would recommend checking at 15-20 minutes the internal temp with a meat probe. You might need another 5 mins at 400 to finish the cook or brown up the chicken some more.

No Air Fryer? No Problem!

I try to always include alternate cooking instructions, and this Dry Rub Chicken is also great oven cooked. For making huge batches I actually do prefer using the oven.

Oven and Air Fryer cooking times and instructions for different cuts of chicken:

Bone In Chicken Thigh:

Air fryer (20-25 minutes total) - 400°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.

Oven (30-40 minutes total) - 400°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 20-30 minutes skin side up.

Drumsticks:

Air Fryer (20 minutes total) - 400°F for 10 minutes, flip over and cook another 10 minutes.

Oven (35-40 minutes total) - 400°F for 20 minutes and flip over and cook another 15-20 minutes.

Chicken Breast:

Air Fryer (16-19 minutes total) - 360°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 6-9 minutes.

Oven (20-25 minutes total - 400°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 10-15 minutes.

If you LOVE this BBQ Rub Chicken, here are some other Chicken recipes you might like. Also, check out these other Chinese Recipes recipes:

• Lemon Pepper Chicken
• Lemongrass Chicken
• Honey Soy Wings

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• or Stove Top
• or Oven

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken (I used butterflied drumsticks & bone in thighs)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika or sweet
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp seasoned salt
• ½ tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp old bay seasoning
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
• 2 tbsp sour cream (or sub yogurt)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• parsley (garnish)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Combine the following ingredients with the chicken and set aside for at least 10 minutes. The flavors will be even more amazing if you marinate overnight! 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon old bay seasoning, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoon sour cream (or sub yogurt), 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Air Fryer Cooking Instructions (Oven Cooking instructions below)

• Preheat air fryer to 380, and add in the chicken skin side up and flip twice, at the 6 minute mark, and 12 minute mark. Depending on your air fryer , it may take 20-25 minutes to cook fully for chicken drumsticks. **Please see below for cooking times for other cuts of chicken.
• Drumsticks:Air Fryer (20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 6 minutes, flip over and cook another 6 minutes and flip again and cook for another 8-10 minutes.Bone In Chicken Thigh:Air fryer (20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.Boneless Chicken Thigh:Air Fryer (18-20 minutes total) - 380°F for 10 minutes, flip over and cook another 8-10 minutes.Chicken Breast:Air Fryer (16-19 minutes total) - 360°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 6-9 minutes.
• Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
• Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Oven Cooking instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400°F and cook for 35-40 minutes
• Boneless Chicken thigh:(20-25 min total) - 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.Bone in Chicken Thigh:(30-35 minutes total) - 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 20-25 minutes skin side up.Drumsticks:(30-35 minutes total) - 380°F for 20 minutes and flip over and cook another 10-15 minutes.Chicken Breast:(20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 10-15 minutes.
• Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
• Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Stovetop Instructions

• Boneless Chicken Thighs - Skin Side down 5 mins, flip and cook 5-6 min skin side upBone In Chicken Thighs - 10 Minutes skin side down, flip and cook 5-8 min skin side upDrumsticks - 8 Minutes larger skin side down, flip and cook 8 mins skin side up
• Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
• Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

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