Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are the weeknight miracle you didn’t know you needed. With just a few pantry staples, this dish becomes a crispy, juicy staple in under 25 minutes.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—Air Fryer Chicken Thighs deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s fast, foolproof, and better than takeout.
Crispy & Juicy Stars: Ingredients That Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Shine
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – The star of the show, known for staying juicy while getting perfectly crisp edges in the air fryer.
- Garlic powder – Adds savory depth and rounds out the seasoning with aromatic warmth.
- Smoked paprika – Delivers subtle smokiness and vibrant color, key for that crave-worthy golden crust.
- Oregano – Brings herbaceous brightness, balancing the richness of the chicken.
- Salt – Essential for enhancing natural flavor and helping the skinless thighs taste just as savory as their skin-on counterparts.
- Black pepper – Adds gentle heat and sharpness to finish the blend.
Quick & Crispy: How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Start by patting the chicken dry—this helps it crisp up beautifully. Toss it in a simple spice mix of garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F, then place the chicken thighs smooth side down in the basket. A quick spray of olive oil or nonstick spray helps things along.
Cook for 12 minutes, flip, and continue for another 6–8 minutes. That’s it—no breading, no marinating, just juicy, crispy goodness in under 25 minutes.
Secrets to Crispy Success: Tips for the Best Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Drying the chicken is key—moisture on the surface prevents browning. Even without skin, patting them dry helps them crisp in the air fryer instead of steam.
Spacing is also important. Don’t overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed to allow airflow to circulate and crisp every piece evenly.
Want to switch it up? Add a dash of cayenne for heat or a squeeze of lemon before serving for brightness. You can also swap oregano for thyme or Italian seasoning if that’s what you have.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs also work beautifully, but they’ll need about 5 extra minutes to cook through fully. Expect even crispier edges and richer flavor.
Keep ‘Em Fresh: How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Let leftovers cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to bring back that crispiness.
To freeze, wrap individually and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer or thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 5 –6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, thoroughly patted dry
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Use a paper towel to dry the chicken thighs well and place them in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add the seasoning mixture to the chicken and toss thoroughly by hand to ensure each thigh is well coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F; this typically takes about 3 minutes. Arrange the thighs smooth side down in the basket, then mist the tops lightly with nonstick spray or olive oil spray. Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes.
- After the initial cook, flip the chicken pieces using tongs and return to the air fryer. Continue cooking for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until the internal temperature indicates the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
Notes
Cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer.
While both boneless/skinless and bone-in/skin-on thighs work in this recipe, expect a longer cook time—about 5 extra minutes—if using skin-on pieces.
