Fresh from the Kitchen: Recipes & Food Inspiration
- Toss thighs in a simple olive oil, lemon, and spice marinade; marinate at least 30 minutes or preferably overnight.
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for extra flavor and juiciness; bone-in breasts work as a substitute.
- Arrange pieces with space around each so the air fryer can circulate heat and crisp the skin evenly.
- Flip halfway and cook until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F; let rest about five minutes before serving.
- Store cooled thighs in an airtight container in the fridge three to four days or freeze up to three months; reheat in the air fryer.
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe is one of those staple recipes to always keep in your back pocket. Toss the chicken thighs in an easy but flavorful marinade, marinate, and then use your air fryer to do the rest of the work. Crisp on the outside, tender and juicy in the center, and the perfect quick dinner or easy meal prep!
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a Staple in My Kitchen
Are you as in love with your air fryer as I am? Because it makes dinner (and lunch!) so much easier for me. I use my air fryer constantly and I love that you can season and throw your favorite protein in there and end up with a delicious result. It’s exactly the kind of help I need on busy weeknights. That’s exactly the spirit of this air fryer chicken thigh recipe!
After making a quick marinade, all you have to do is combine it with the chicken, toss, and let the air fryer do all of the work. I love how crispy the chicken skin gets in the air fryer without a ton of extra oil. Plus, the chicken can pair with just about anything!
Every bite is both crispy and tender plus juicy and flavorful!
Serve the chicken with rice and veggies for dinner or meal prep them in advance for an easy grab and go lunch! There are so many ways to enjoy this recipe, I know it will become a staple!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients
This is an overview of the main ingredients in this recipe. See the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.
- Olive Oil: this forms the base of the marinade, allowing the seasonings to stick to the chicken, locking in moisture, and creating the crispy exterior we want. Use a good quality olive oil that you love the taste of!
- Lemon: we’re using both lemon juice and lemon zest to help tenderize the chicken and add a pop of brightness that balances the warmth of the spices.
- Spices: salt, paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried mustard create a warm, savory flavor with a subtle tangy taste.
- Chicken: I prefer to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe because they have more flavor, stay juicier, and form a better crispy exterior. However, you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts if that’s what you prefer.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Cook, flipping halfway through, until the thighs are golden, crispy, and cooked all the way through. Enjoy!
that’s perfect for a quick dinner!
Ashlea’s Tips and Tricks
- Avoid overcooking – Use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken from the oven when they achieve an internal temperature around 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit for juicy, tender thighs.
- Pat the chicken dry before marinating – Removing excess moisture helps the skin crisp up in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – Make sure to leave space all around each piece so hot air can circulate and crisp the skin evenly.
- Let the chicken rest – Allow your cooked air fryer chicken thighs to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes or so before serving. This allows the natural juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender and juicy.
- Marinate longer if possible – You can get away with a 30-minute marinade if you’re in a hurry. However, I prefer to let my chicken marinate overnight or for at least 2-4 hours for the best taste and texture.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
I typically pair my air fryer chicken thighs with simple sides like my crispy baked potato wedges, baked potatoes, oven roasted asparagus, and cauliflower mac and cheese.
However, they’re also great added to grain bowls with roasted veggies and garlic rice, cilantro lime rice, or quinoa. Or, use the thighs to top salads, like my strawberry avocado salad, chickpea Greek salad, and cucumber and feta salad.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Fridge: Transfer cooled air fryer chicken thighs to an airtight container, and store them in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Freezer: Store leftovers in a sealable bag or freezer-safe container in the freezer for one to three months. Thaw in the fridge to serve.
Reheat: in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit just until warmed through.
More Really Flavorful Chicken Thigh Recipes
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Description
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe is one of those staple recipes to always keep in your back pocket. Toss the chicken thighs in an easy but flavorful marinade, marinate, and then use your air fryer to do the rest of the work. Crisp on the outside, tender and juicy in the center, and the perfect quick dinner or easy meal prep!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- zest and juice of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4-6 chicken thighs)
- Add all of the ingredients, except the chicken to a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until well combined.
- Next, add thighs to the marinade and toss until well coated. If you have time, cover the bowl with food storage wrap and place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- When you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken from the fridge around 15-20 minutes before it’s time to cook.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down, in an even layer.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway through until the thighs are golden and crispy and an instant read thermometer reads 165 degrees.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Ashlea’s Tips
Avoid overcooking – Use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken from the oven when they achieve an internal temperature around 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit for juicy, tender thighs.
Pat the chicken dry before marinating – Removing excess moisture helps the skin crisp up in the air fryer.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – Make sure to leave space all around each piece so hot air can circulate and crisp the skin evenly.
Let the chicken rest – Allow your cooked air fryer chicken thighs to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes or so before serving. This allows the natural juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender and juicy.
Marinate longer if possible – You can get away with a 30-minute marinade if you’re in a hurry. However, I prefer to let my chicken marinate overnight or for at least 2-4 hours for the best taste and texture.
Photography: Sasha Hooper
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