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Crispy on the outside and juicy in the center, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are the perfect protein to serve with your favorite sides! These can be on your dinner table in less than 30 minutes, prep time included!
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs cook up tender and moist and are one of our go-to choices for a quick and easy main for dinner. All you need is some olive oil, and taco seasoning, and in less than 30 minutes you can have these on the dinner table.
They’re fast, they’re flavorful and because they’re cooked in the air fryer with very little oil, they’re healthier than if you had pan-fried them. Air fryers cook by circulating air all around the food like a convection oven, which helps to make this crispy on the outside while staying nice and juicy on the inside. Pair your air fryer chicken thighs with some couscous (how to make couscous) or Cilantro lime rice, and Garlic roasted veggies, and you’ll have a family-friendly meal that everyone will love!
Like to meal prep? This air-fried chicken thighs recipe is perfect for making ahead of time! It stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Recipe Summary
- Quick and easy: Rubbing the chicken with seasoning is the only prep needed. This meal can be ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes!
- So delicious: The simple spice mix of taco seasoning provides wonderful flavors that will take your chicken to the next level.
- Perfect for meal prep: These chicken thighs are great for meal prep because you can store them in the refrigerator for days, and serve with all types of other sides like vegan mashed potatoes, simple pesto pasta, and more.
Ingredients needed
This air fryer boneless chicken thighs recipe is super simple! In fact, you might have everything you need to make these in your kitchen right now! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Chicken thighs: For this recipe, you’ll need 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs, which is typically 4 thighs.
- Olive oil: Helps the spices stick to the chicken, and ensures the outside of the chicken gets a nice crispy crust. You may also use avocado Oil.
- Taco seasoning: The perfect combo of flavorful spices. Try this homemade taco seasoning for amazing flavor!
- Kosher salt and pepper: Enhances the flavors.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bit of freshness. I also like to serve the chicken with lemon slices for garnish.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped to garnish for extra color!
How to make air fried chicken thighs
These could not be easier! This is the perfect quick protein for those weekdays that are super busy. Instead of ordering takeout you can have a healthy meal in no time. Here’s the simple process:
- Prep: Preheat the air fryer at 380ºF for 4 minutes.
- Add seasoning: Rub the chicken thighs with the taco seasoning making sure you fully coat them on all sides. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and drizzle with oil and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Cook: Place the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook at 380ºF for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve: Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Similar-sized thighs: It’s best if your chicken thighs are similar in size to ensure that they all cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd: Don’t place too many thighs in the air fryer at once. If there is overlap, the air won’t be able to circulate and the meat will not cook properly. If your air fryer is small, it may be necessary to cook in batches. Keep any cooked thighs warm by covering them with foil.
- Check for doneness: To ensure your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh to check. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can poke the thickest part and make sure that the juices run clear and you don’t see any pink.
- Vary the seasoning: If you want to change these up, feel free to use different seasoning blends. Try using homemade Cajun seasoning or Homemade Italian seasoning to change the flavor.
Frequently asked questions
The amount of time it takes to cook boneless thighs in the air fryer will depend on the size of the thighs and the model of the air fryer, at 380 degrees F, it will take about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
I like to bake boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer at 380 degrees F. They will take less time to cook than if they are cooked at 350 degrees, and this will help them to stay plenty moist. If they cook too long at a lower heat, they are more likely to become dry.
Adding some oil to the outside of the chicken and also choosing to cook them in the air fryer rather than the oven will help keep these from becoming too dry.
Serving suggestions
The best part about chicken is that it’s so versatile and is great served with a variety of sides. Here are some delicious serving options:
- Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
- Spicy Honey Baked Cauliflower
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Baked Greek Fingerling Potatoes
- Hot German Potato Salad
- Sauteed Green Beans
- Baked Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Allow chicken to completely cool, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the air fryer.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked and cooled thighs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More easy chicken recipes
- Creamy Chicken Stew
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Corn Chowder
- Grilled Chicken Kafta
- Baked Chicken Alfredo
- Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken
- Baked Harissa Chicken
- Healthy Chicken Enchiladas
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Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Chef's knife
- cutting board
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon + lemon slices, for garnish
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 380ºF for 4 minutes.
- Rub the chicken thighs with the taco seasoning making sure you fully coat them on all sides. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Stir well to combine.
- Place the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook at 380ºF for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
