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These incredible air fryer boneless chicken thighs are perfectly juicy on the inside with delicious crispy edges, ready in about 15 minutes thanks to the air fryer. They are simply seasoned and require no oil!
By now, you all know that I love cooking chicken in the air fryer. From this juicy and delicious air fryer boneless chicken breast, crispy breaded chicken breast, air fryer chicken nuggets, and air fryer popcorn chicken that you all love so much! Not to mention the other long list of healthy air fryer recipes I have shared!
It was time for me to finally share my air fryer boneless chicken thighs with you since it has become a regular recipe in our meal rotation. Chicken thighs in the air fryer are amazing but the fact that you can get perfectly juicy, flavorful chicken thighs with a golden crispy outer layer without the skin or use of oil is magic!
Don’t have an air fryer? Try these baked boneless chicken thighs.
This results in a delicious protein that is also lower in fat and calories that you can cook quickly and enjoy all week long!
Jump to:
- Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken thighs
- Choosing your chicken thighs
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- How to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Expert tips for cooking air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Serving suggestions
- Other optional seasonings for chicken thighs:
- How To Store and reheat chicken thighs
- FAQs
- More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to try!
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken thighs
- Perfectly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside
- Flavorful chicken thighs are ready in about 15 minutes!
- Simply seasoned with no oil
- A healthy protein that is lower in fat and calories but still so good!
- Customizable seasonings to your taste
- An easy weeknight meal that goes with so many things
- Great meal prep recipe!
Choosing your chicken thighs
Fresh vs. Frozen
You can use fresh or frozen chicken thighs in this recipe but I recommend using fresh. If you choose to use frozen boneless chicken thighs, then make sure you defrost them completely and dry them really well before you season and cook them. Here is a great recipe for cooking frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer if you don’t have time to defrost them.
Bone-In Or Boneless Chicken Thighs?
I used boneless skinless chicken thighs but bone-in chicken thighs are equally as delicious. You can prepare and season them using the same method but the cooking time will be slightly longer. I recommend cooking bone-in chicken thighs for 12 minutes on one side, flipping them over, and continuing cooking for another 12 minutes on the other side until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the free printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken thighs – boneless skinless chicken thighs work best in this recipe. You can use bone-in chicken thighs as well but it will take longer to cook. See above for tips!
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. A crazy good spice combo for chicken thighs. Or choose any seasoning you like.
- Salt and pepper – kosher salt and ground black pepper work best.
- Olive oil spray – you can also brush the chicken with olive oil, but I like to use olive oil spray since it covers the chicken evenly with the use of less oil. Chicken thighs are also naturally higher in fat than chicken breasts so the use of oil is not necessary and is optional.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
How to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs
You will love air frying chicken thighs simply because it is literally the best way to cook them! They come out with an amazing juicy center and this golden, crispy outer layer that is bursting with so much flavor! Plus, they cook quickly in about 15 minutes, which makes this an easy weeknight meal you can whip up fast! Here is a summary of the step-by-step process:
Step one:
Cut any excess fat off of the chicken then dry each piece well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Season the chicken with the spices, salt, and pepper.
Step two:
Add the seasoned chicken thighs in an even layer (smooth side down) into a 380°F preheated air fryer basket.
Step three:
Cook the chicken for 11 minutes, flipping it over carefully using tongs or a fork, and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tip! I like to spray the boneless chicken thighs with some olive oil spray or sprinkle it with a squeeze of lemon juice and garnish it with freshly chopped parsley for serving.
Expert tips for cooking air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Choose plump, larger chicken thighs. I used 5-6 ounce boneless skinless chicken thighs since they will shrink as they cook.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Make sure to place the chicken thighs in an even layer in the air fryer basket with some space around them to allow the air to circulate. This will ensure all of the edges get evenly golden and crispy.
- Shake or flip halfway. Halfway through the cooking time, shake or flip the chicken in the basket to ensure it becomes evenly cooked on all sides. Note: in my air fryer this step was not needed but if using a smaller air fryer it is recommended.
- Use a meat thermometer. I like to use a meat thermometer to ensure my chicken is cooked through. It should read 165°F when it is done cooking.
- Let it rest. After cooking, let the boneless chicken thighs rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute in the chicken, ensuring juicy, succulent chicken in every bite!
Serving suggestions
Here are some great sides to pair with these air fryer boneless chicken thighs to make this a complete meal.
- Serve it with a salad like this Easy Kale Salad or this Easy Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
- Pair it with some Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Butternut Squash.
- Have it alongside some Sautéed Spinach with Garlic or with some Crispy Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Enjoy it with some Crispy Smashed Potatoes or some Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Other optional seasonings for chicken thighs:
- Cajun seasoning
- Taco seasoning – great for chicken fajitas!
- Ranch seasoning – a kid favorite!
- Lemon pepper seasoning like we used for these chicken wings
- Salt & pepper – classic and so delicious!
How To Store and reheat chicken thighs
Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: You can reheat portions in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through (about 4-5 minutes) or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.
FAQs
How long does boneless chicken take to cook in the air fryer?
Boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs take around 15-20 minutes to cook in the air fryer. This will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken you are using as well as the type of air fryer you have.
What is the best way to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out?
I have found that seasoning them well and cooking them at just the right time and temperature is key. The use of a meat thermometer will help greatly to ensure you do not overcook your chicken, which is usually what causes it to dry out. Plus, chicken thighs contain more fat than chicken breast so there is less likelihood they will dry out.
Should I brine or marinate my chicken thighs before I cook them?
Since we are using chicken thighs in this recipe then there really is no need to brine them since they come out juicy without adding that step. The seasoning on these chicken thighs is very simple but packs a delicious punch of flavor so I did not think marinating them was necessary. This is totally up to personal preference.
Can you peel the skin off of chicken thighs with skin on them?
Yes, you can easily peel the skin off by using your fingers or a small knife to separate the skin and pull it off. You can do this prior to cooking the chicken or after you cook it, depending on your preference.
How do you thaw chicken thighs quickly?
The fastest way to defrost frozen chicken thighs is using the defrost setting on your microwave. If you have more time then placing them in the refrigerator for 24 hours before you cook them also works. The preferred method is by placing them in a leak-proof bag (ziplock) and submerging in water for 2-3 hours. Choose the best method depending on how much time you have.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to try!
- Simple Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Healthy Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- 15 Minute Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Did you make this air fryer boneless chicken thighs recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.
Print
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 5–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air fryer boneless chicken thighs are a quick and easy dinner you can have ready in about 15 minutes for the best crispy, juicy chicken thighs without the use of any oil!
Ingredients
- 5–6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken thighs: Place the chicken on the counter for 10-15 minutes before cooking if it is straight out of the refrigerator. Then use a sharp knife and cutting board to cut off any excess fat. Pat each piece of chicken dry with a clean paper towel and place it into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Season: Mix up the seasoning (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) in a small bowl. Add the seasoning to the chicken and toss to coat it all in the seasoning.
- Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking or use an air fryer liner. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer into the air fryer and cook for 15-17 minutes, flipping the chicken over halfway through the cooking time. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165° F.
- Serve. Once the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes then serve it with your favorite sides. I love to top it with a squeeze of fresh lemon and some chopped parsley.
Notes
- Dry the chicken before you season it and cook it so it gets nice and golden when you air fry it. This also helps the seasoning stick to the chicken better.
- Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165° F.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350° F for a few minutes or in the microwave until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
These chicken thighs were so easy to make and my boys (including my husband who dislikes chicken) ate them all! The seasoning was yummy and the chicken came out super moist. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you so much!
How would you alter this if using bone in chicken thighs?
Hi Darcy, I would cook them for 10 minutes at 380 degrees F, flip them over and cook them for 7-8 more minutes.
My family ate these up! This is such a delicious and easy meal. They came out so juicy and perfect! Definitely will go on the regular menu rotation!