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    Home » Air fryer » Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Published: Apr 12, 2021 · Modified: Jun 6, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Skip to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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.

    a plate of cooked chicken thighs with a lemon wedge.

    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

    ingredients.

    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.

    the cooking process of making marinated chicken thigh in the air fryer.

    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.

    four cooked chicken thighs in air fryer basket.

    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.

    a plate of chicken thighs garnished with chopped parsley.

    More chicken thigh recipes

    Honey mustard chicken thigh oven baked to perfection

    Stove top cilantro lime chicken

    Cajun chicken

    Instant pot chicken thighs

    Garlic chicken thighs

    If you made this easy air fryer chicken thigh recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

    a plate of cooked chicken thighs placed on a grey stripy napkin.

    Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Ajoke
    This air fryer boneless chicken thigh recipe is a quick and easy chicken recipe the whole family will love. Using the best chicken thigh marinade to achieve delicious tasting poultry that is ready in under 30 minutes.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Chicken
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 4
    Calories 278 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    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

    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 in this little gadget is that you can open it frequently to shake and flip 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
    This chicken thigh makes 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: Reheat in the air fryer at 160C/325F for 2 to 3 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 33gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 515mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 984IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg

    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.

    Keyword air fryer boneless chicken thighs, air fryer chicken thighs
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    Filed Under: Air fryer

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

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    Comments

    1. Rachel says

      February 01, 2023 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    2. Ann Wright says

      July 15, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      This looks really tasty can I omit the oil and just use fry light. Thabks

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 18, 2022 at 12:20 pm

        Thank you, yes, you can spray the chicken with fry light but not the air fryer basket.

        Reply
    3. Laurel says

      May 05, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply

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