This air fryer boneless chicken thigh recipe is a quick and easy chicken recipe the whole family will love. Using the best chicken thighs marinade to achieve delicious tasting poultry that is ready in under 30 minutes. Cooking boneless skinless chicken thighs in air fryer is bliss, let me show how in easy steps.
Air fryer chicken thigh recipe
Without sounding like a broken record, if you are a returning reader, you would know chicken thigh is a staple dinner at mine. I love the versatility, it is juicy and the fact that it is very unforgiving with flavours and long you cook it.
I love cooking boneless skinless chicken thigh on the stovetop because it is easy, quick, in one pan and the pan sauce is unbelievably delicious. Since I purchased my little air fryer, I have come to love cooking poultry in it without compromising on flavours.
The chicken comes out tender, moist and juicy. I must say I do miss my pan juice but when there is a need for it, I make pan sauce or gravy from the drippings in the air fryer basket.
The best chicken thigh marinade
Today I am sharing with you my not-so-secret chicken marinade that is not only perfect for chicken thighs but any other cut. Your chicken would love you if given this easy homemade chicken marinade TLC.
It is made with a handful of pantry staples, it comes together in 5 minutes. it is simple but complex in flavour, this marinade will give an instant boost of flavour to your chicken.
You can use this marinade for grilled chicken, baked chicken, stove top chicken or air fryer chicken.
Chicken thigh marinade ingredients
This is my go-to boneless chicken marinade ingredient but feel free to substitute the ingredients to suit your taste.
Garlic powder
Dried sage
Onion Powder
Cumin powder, this is optional.
Smoked paprika substitute with sweet paprika
Red pepper flakes also known as chilli flakes
Dried parsley
Olive oil: substitute with any other cooking oil of choice
Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to cook boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer
To a small mixing bowl, add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, red pepper flakes, parsley salt and pepper and mix to combine to form a dry rub.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a kitchen towel so it is moist free, trim off any fat (the chicken can be washed with water and lemon if desired) and transfer to a bowl.
Add the dry rub to the chicken thighs and mix to combine making all the chicken is coated. Then add olive oil and Worcestershire sauce and mix.
Marinade the chicken for 30 minutes to 24 hours if time is not of the essence. Otherwise proceed to cook immediately.
Preheat the air fryer at 180C/380F for 5 minutes. spray cooking oil in the air fryer basket. This is optional as the marinade already contained oil.
Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You should be able to fit about 6 in the basket depending on the shape of the basket. If need be, cook the chicken in batches.
Cook for 15 to 18 minutes depending on how you like your chicken cooked flipping it halfway for even cooking. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should register 165F/63C. If using bone-in chicken thighs, please check my cooking time guide below.
Serve immediately as desired.
How to serve
For a complete meal, we love to serve these chicken thighs with jollof rice, air fryer vegetables or this simple cucumber salad. That said, the serving options are endless.
How long to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer
This is a simple guide for cooking frozen or fresh bone-in and boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer. Please note that the cooking time would vary slightly depending on the size of the poultry. If in doubt, check with an instant-read meat thermometer and internal temperature reaches at least 165F/63C
One of the beauties of cooking with this little gadget is that you can open it frequently to shake and flip it without losing too much heat. Make sure to flip halfway through the cooking.
Boneless chicken thighs at 180C/360F 15- to 18 minutes
Boneless chicken thigh at 200C/400F – 12 to 15 minutes
Bone-in chicken thighs at 180C/360F – 25 to 30 minutes
Bone – in chicken thigh at 200C/400F – 22 to 25 minutes
Frozen chicken thighs at 180C/360F for 18 to 20 minutes depending on the size, then at 200C/400F for 5 to 8 minutes to crisp up the skin.
How to store
These chicken thighs make the best leftover and it can be served cold too with salad, wraps or as a side to main meals. It is great for meal prep too.
To store in the fridge: Make sure it is completely cooled before storing in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
To reheat: I found the best of reheating chicken is either in the oven or air fryer. One of the perks of reheating thighs is that it is forgiving and doesn’t dry out like its counterpart, the almighty chicken breast! Reheat at 160C/325F for 2 to 3 minutes.
More chicken thigh recipes
Honey mustard chicken thigh oven baked to perfection
Stove top cilantro lime chicken
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Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed substitute with bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika substitute with sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon olive oil substitute with any other flavourless oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To a small mixing bowl, add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, red pepper flakes, parsley salt and pepper and mix to combine to form a dry rub.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a kitchen towel so it is moist free, trim off excess fat (the chicken can be washed with water and lemon if desired) and transfer to a bowl.
- Add the dry rub to the chicken thighs and mix to combine making all the chicken is coated. Then add olive oil and Worcestershire sauce and mix.
- Marinade the chicken for 30 minutes to 24 hours if time is not of the essence. Otherwise, proceed to cook immediately.
- Preheat the air fryer at 180C/380F for 5 minutes. spray cooking oil in the air fryer basket. This is optional as the marinade already contained oil.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You should be able to fit about 6 in the basket depending on the shape of the basket. If need be, cook the chicken in batches.
- Cook for 15 to 18 minutes depending on how you like your chicken cooked flipping it halfway for even cooking. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should register 165F/63C. If using bone-in chicken thighs, please check my cooking time guide below.
- Serve immediately as desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
Rachel says
The chicken was perfectly cooked. I served it with rice and salad. I little note from a wimpy palette family, it's pretty spicy. That won't stop me from making it again. Thank you!
Ann Wright says
This looks really tasty can I omit the oil and just use fry light. Thabks
Ajoke says
Thank you, yes, you can spray the chicken with fry light but not the air fryer basket.
Laurel says
Excellent! We tried this last night, adjusting a couple of herbs. The thighs turned out just crispy enough, and not dry. This is a keeper! Thanks.