Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crisp on the outside, juicy in the center, and loaded with sweet, savory flavor! Ready to eat in just over 30 minutes, they’re a healthy staple for meal prep and easy dinners.
Why Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?
If you’ve never made air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs, you’ve been missing out! Don’t get us wrong, we love baked chicken thighs. However, you just can’t beat the crisp exterior the air fryer creates.
Even better, this recipe uses just a few pantry staple ingredients and comes together with minimal prep time and a total time of just over 30 minutes. Plus, using the air fryer frees up the rest of the kitchen so you can prepare your sides.
As a result, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen with a family-friendly meal in no time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information.
- Chicken Thighs – We use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Feel free to substitute bone-in thighs or even chicken breasts. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Seasonings – Smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper create a savory spice rub with just a touch of heat.
- Optional Sugar – We love to include a pinch of raw sugar or coconut sugar for a touch of sweetness and to help tenderize the meat and create a caramelized, golden exterior.
Ingredient Swap: For a nightshade-free option, substitute the paprika with ½ teaspoon of cumin plus ½ teaspoon of dried oregano. It won’t have the same smoky flavor, but it’s still very flavorful! Or, feel free to substitute any seasonings or spice blend you like best.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer boneless chicken thighs pair well with pretty much everything! Add them to salads or grain bowls, slice them up for sandwiches and wraps, or pair them with a few sides. Some of our favorite options include:
How to Make Air Fry Chicken Thighs
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, and transfer them to a large bowl or sealable bag.
- Whisk the seasonings and sugar in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken, rubbing it over the skin. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, preheat the air fryer.
- Then, grease the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil, and arrange the chicken thigh part down, leaving space between each piece.
Note: Cook in batches as needed, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry until the chicken cooks through, flipping it over halfway through.
- Rest the chicken for a few minutes, and enjoy!
More of Our Favorite
Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes
Common Questions
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or sealable bag, and store them in the fridge for up to four days. Or, transfer the crispy chicken thighs to the freezer for four to six months, and thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat.
The exact time it takes to cook the chicken will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the thighs. However, we find that about 12 minutes is all you need.
Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the air fryer chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe (Boneless & Skinless)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 5 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Make these air fryer chicken thighs with a handful of pantry staples in just over 30 minutes for flavorful chicken that’s always crisp on the outside and juicy in the center!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 – 1 ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet hot paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon raw sugar
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and place in a large bowl or plastic bag. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the seasoning ingredients – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and optional sugar.
- Sprinkle the seasoning on top of the chicken, then rub the seasoning generously over the chicken. If possible, let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the coated thighs in the basket thigh part down (the smooth part). Air fry for 8 minutes then turn/flip over the thighs and cook an additional 4-6 minutes or until the internal temperature is at least 165F.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Substitute Tips – For a nightshade free option, substitute the paprika with ¾ teaspoon cumin plus ½ teaspoon dried oregano. It won’t have the same smoky flavor but it’s still very flavorful!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Rest Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 196
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 337.5 mg
- Fat: 6.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 31.4 g
- Cholesterol: 149.1 mg
This was so easy and good! Loved the flavor.
We are so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to tell us. Happy eating!