These juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer are tender, flavorful, and ready in under 25 minutes. A simple, protein-packed dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
I literally don’t know what I did before the air fryer. I love making quick and tender boneless skinless chicken thighs that are anything but dry in this thing! They’re perfect to toss into a chopped antipasto salad or pear, apple and blue cheese salad, or alongside Mexican street corn salad.
I just love how simple and hands-off it is to make chicken thighs in the air fryer, while still getting crispy bits on the outside, with tender, juicy chicken on the inside without much effort at all or need to turn on the oven (living in Florida, I try not to use the oven for about 6-7 months out of the year, which is why I’m such a fan of my air fryer). These air fryer boneless chicken thighs are perfect as-is, with a side salad, radish slaw or garlic mashed cauliflower.
ingredients for air fryer chicken thighs
The ingredients are so minimal and the spices can easily be swapped for different flavor profiles, but here are the ingredients for basic, boneless skinless chicken thighs in your air fryer.
- chicken thighs: boneless, skinless. I like to buy them with the skin and bone already removed, but if bone-in chicken thighs are on sale, I’ll buy those and remove the bone myself. Here is a good video for deboning chicken thighs if you need.
- spices: dried spices from the pantry. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
- cooking oil: olive oil or avocado oil to bind the spices to chicken (optional)
- nonstick cooking spray: for the air fryer basket.
Flavor Variations for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Once you’ve tried my basic spice blend, mix things up with these easy spice combos! All of these are made with pantry staples and work perfectly with chicken thighs in the air fryer.
- Smoky Chipotle Blend: Chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and salt.
- Lemon Herb Seasoning: Dried thyme, oregano, garlic powder, lemon zest (or lemon pepper), and sea salt.
- Curry-Spiced Chicken: Curry powder, garlic powder, turmeric, ground ginger, and a pinch of cayenne.
- BBQ Dry Rub: Brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Italian-Inspired Blend: Dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
- Shawarma-Inspired Blend: Ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne.
Can I use frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer?
You can, but for best texture and flavor, it’s recommended to thaw them first. If cooking from frozen, add a few extra minutes and check internal temp carefully. See notes in the recipe card below.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to maintain crispness.
more chicken thigh recipes
- spicy honey mustard chicken thighs in the skillet
- crispy turmeric chicken thighs in the oven
- apple butter and chipotle chicken thighs
air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 1.5lbs - patted dry with a paper towel
- 1 /2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika - you can use smoked paprika if you like a little smoky heat
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil, optional - olive oil, avocado, etc.
- nonstick cooking spray - for air fryer basket
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix all spices to a small bowl or plate to combine. Add chicken thighs to a large mixing bowl and season with spice blend with cooking oil. Toss to combine and evenly coat. The olive oil is optional but will help the spices bind (stick) to the chicken thighs easier.
- Spray air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Air fry at 400℉ for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Internal temp should be 165° when done. Let thighs rest for 5 minutes before slicing/serving so juices can distribute evenly.
Notes
Nutrition
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