Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Barbecue Sauce

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PRESENTATION

INGREDIENTS

Chicken drumsticks 4
Barbecue sauce to taste
Smoked paprika 1 spoonful
Black pepper to taste
Fine salt 1 tsp
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Coarse salt to taste
For the Alabama White Sauce
Mayonnaise 4 tbsp (60 g)
Apple cider vinegar 1 tsp
Mustard 1 tsp
Black pepper to taste
Garlic powder 1 pinch
Mustard 1 tsp
Preparation

How to prepare Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Barbecue Sauce

To prepare the air fryer chicken thighs with barbecue sauce, first pat the meat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture 1. With a sharp knife, make fairly deep cuts in the meatiest part of the thighs so the seasoning penetrates better and the meat cooks more evenly 2. Transfer the thighs to a large bowl and add the smoked paprika 3.

Drizzle with a little oil and season with black pepper 4 and salt 5. Mix thoroughly with your hands, massaging the seasoning into the meat and making sure it reaches inside the cuts 6.

Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket without overlapping 7, and cook at 374°F for about 20–25 minutes, turning them halfway through 8. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the meat. Meanwhile, prepare the Alabama White Sauce to serve with the chicken. Pour the vinegar into the mayonnaise 9.

Add the mustard 10, season with black pepper 11 and add the garlic powder. Stir well with a teaspoon until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous sauce 12, then set aside.

When the thighs are cooked, brush them generously with classic barbecue sauce 13. Return them to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 6 minutes, turning them halfway through and brushing the other side with more barbecue sauce. At the end they should be well glazed and slightly caramelized on the surface 14. Serve the chicken thighs piping hot, finishing with a pinch of coarse salt and sesame seeds, and accompany them with Roasted potatoes 15.

Storage

You can store cooked chicken thighs in the refrigerator for 2–3 days in an airtight container. Store the Alabama White Sauce separately, also in the refrigerator, for one day.

Tip

Alternatively, you can bake the thighs in the oven at 392°F for about 35–40 minutes, turning them halfway through. After brushing them with barbecue sauce, continue cooking for another 10 minutes, turning halfway and adding more sauce to the other side.

The Alabama White Sauce is a white barbecue sauce based on mayonnaise. It has a fluid consistency and a tangy, piquant, slightly spiced flavor profile—ideal for keeping chicken meat juicy.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.