Air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs offer moist, tender meat and delicious flavor in a healthy, air-fried dinner staple. These delicious chicken thighs are tender on the inside and have a wonderful crust on the outside, and they are ready fast!
Skinless chicken thighs have just 140 calories per 4oz and about 30 grams of protein. With a little more fat than chicken breasts, they cook up moist, juicy, and tender while still having less fat than pork or beef.
I'm a big fan of cooking any kind of chicken in the air fryer, but thighs are my favorite. I've found that air fried chicken like this air fryer honey garlic chicken brings out the flavor of the thighs and gets the skin nice and crispy, while staying juicy on the inside.
While these thighs are skinless, the air fryer still delivers that juicy, tender texture that's so perfect with the zesty flavors of the seasonings.
Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a new meal prep recipe, or an easy lunch, these air fried chicken thighs are the perfect fit. They are healthy, high protein, low carb, and delicious. These chicken thighs make the perfect companion to a side of broccoli or air fryer asparagus for an easy and quick meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of ingredients to make this delicious chicken thighs recipe.
- Better for You: The only oil used in this chicken thigh recipe is olive oil, which is naturally better for you.
- Quick and Easy: These chicken thighs are ready in about 35 minutes from start to finish.
- Bold Flavors: The combination of spices like paprika, cumin, and garlic used in this recipe creates a nice flavor enjoyed by everyone.
- Versatile: These zesty thighs are perfect with all your favorite sides like veggies, rice, or these gluten-free mashed potatoes.
- Great for Meal Prep: These thighs are freezer-friendly, so they're the perfect option for meal prep.
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Ingredients
I prefer Springer Mountain Farms chicken thighs because they contain zero antibiotics or hormones, and they have no animal by-products in their feed.
I use a combination of Costabile olive oil and chili olive oil to help the spices stick to the chicken and add more flavor. Use Code: 15GOLDENGK for 15% off.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact quantities.
Variations
- Proteins: The spices in this recipe work well with chicken breasts, thighs, pork, beef, or even shellfish like shrimp. Adjust your cooking times accordingly, however.
- Spices: Experiment with different spice varieties to create unique flavor profiles. For example, Italian seasoning with garlic and onion powder creates a delicious Italian-inspired dish.
- Spicy: Try adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for a spicy kick.
- Add to Other Recipes: Try adding these thighs to other recipes like this creamy chicken pasta.
How to Make Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Make a paste with the oils and seasonings in a small bowl. Then, evenly coat the mixture on both sides of the chicken thighs.
Step 2: Place the thighs in a single layer in a preheated air fryer basket coated with olive oil.
Step 3: Air fry the thighs at 380°F, flipping halfway through cooking, until their internal temperature registers 165°F.
Step 4: Enjoy with your favorite sides or in your favorite dishes!
Expert Tips
- Never use nonstick spray on your air fryer basket, as it can harm it over time. Instead, use an oil spray bottle so you only add pure oil to your basket's surface.
- To avoid excess splashing and possible bacteria spread, rinse your chicken in a strainer under a gentle stream of water. Then, thoroughly wash your counters immediately afterward.
- Trim any extra fat from the chicken to keep these skinless thighs healthy.
- Use avocado oil in place of olive oil for another healthy alternative.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer for even cooking and correct cooking time.
- Lay out your chicken in a single layer, leaving space between the thighs so the air fryer can cook them properly.
- For safe food practices and to ensure perfectly cooked chicken, always check it with a meat thermometer. When it reaches 165°F, it's fully cooked.
Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs FAQ
Boneless skinless chicken thighs should be air-fried at 375 to 380 degrees. At this temperature, they cook quickly and evenly, remaining juicy and tender.
Bone-in chicken thighs should be cooked for about 12 minutes per side, while boneless chicken thighs should be cooked for about 6 to 8 minutes per side.
Absolutely. There's a myth going around out there that air fryers don't have to be preheated. This is untrue. Preheating only takes a few minutes, and it ensures even cooking and proper cooking times.
As long as you don't overcook them, chicken thighs will almost always stay moist on their own. However, a good rub will add tons of flavor and moisture, helping to both flavor the chicken and keep it tender and juicy while it cooks.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Springer Mountain Farms boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 ½ teaspoon OliveNation sweet paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon Costabile olive oil
- ¼ tablespoon Cosatbile chili olive oil
Instructions
- Wash the chicken thighs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, lay them out on a cutting board.
- Combine the paprika, chili powder, cumin, thyme, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and both olive oils in a small bowl and stir to create a paste.
- Using a spoon or gloves, evenly distribute the rub on both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Lightly brush the air fryer basket with olive oil. Then, preheat it to 380 degrees. Place the thighs in the basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if your air fryer is small.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 8 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Wrap the thighs in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost before reheating.
- Set the wings out at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, air fry them at 380°F for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
- To avoid excess splashing and possible bacteria spread, rinse your chicken in a strainer under a gentle stream of water. Then, thoroughly wash your counters immediately afterward.
- Trim any extra fat from the chicken to keep these skinless thighs healthy.
- Use avocado oil in place of olive oil for another healthy alternative.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer for even cooking and correct cooking time.
- Lay out your chicken in a single layer, leaving space between the thighs so the air fryer can cook them properly.
- For safe food practices and to ensure perfectly cooked chicken, always check it with a meat thermometer. When it reaches 165°F, it's fully cooked.
Anonymous says
My family loved this!
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Amy Liu Dong says
Thank you for sharing this recipe
Nora says
My family loved this!