Why this fits a family on a budget
Bone-in chicken thighs are one of the most budget-friendly cuts available, keeping the total meal per person. The air fryer delivers crispy, BBQ-glazed results in under 40 minutes without any complicated steps.
• 4 each bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup BBQ sauce (store-brand)
• 2 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.75 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp butter
• 4 slice store-brand sandwich bread
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels — this helps the skin get crispy.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
4. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it all over both sides. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over all sides of each thigh and press it gently into the skin.
5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes.
6. Using tongs, carefully flip each thigh so the skin side faces up. Cook for another 10 minutes at 400°F.
7. Brush the skin side generously with BBQ sauce. Air fry for a final 3–5 minutes at 400°F until the sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized and the skin looks deep brown and lacquered.
8. Check doneness: the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F on a meat thermometer, or the juices should run clear (not pink) when you pierce it with a fork.
9. While the chicken finishes, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. Once the butter melts and starts to foam, add the frozen corn straight from the bag — no thawing needed.
10. Cook the corn for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are golden and slightly charred in spots. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
11. Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving — this keeps the juices inside.
12. Serve each chicken thigh alongside a scoop of corn and a slice of bread for soaking up the extra BBQ juices.
Contains: dairy, gluten. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.