Summer is here and there is no meal that I won’t at least consider cooking in the air fryer. OK, maybe I wouldn’t make pasta or soup, but I do make everything from filets of salmon to crispy chickpeas, and even grill classics like burgers and dogs in my air fryer. Despite all these air fryer success stories, there’s one recipe that I come back to again and again. And it has changed my life. I am talking about air fryer chicken thighs. They’re easy to make and good for your gut. Plus, they can be doctored in countless ways with the best sauces and spices. I believe that you could cook perfect air fryer chicken thighs for the rest of your life and not run out of flavor combinations to try.
Nearly any cut of chicken works well in these speedy super-convection ovens. I’ve done wings, naturally, but I’ve also found that whole chickens cook faster and crispier in the airy fryer than a traditional oven. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs might just be the easiest to make in the air fryer, and they can anchor any dinner (15-minute tacos, anyone?) or top a salad for lunch. I did some rough math and I’ve made this recipe well over 100 times in the 5-plus years I’ve owned an air fryer and I’m still not sick of it.
Why air fryer chicken thighs make the perfect easy meal
The air fryer can caramelize chicken skin as well as the broiler.
Chicken thigh meat has a higher fat content than breast so there’s very little chance of your chicken thighs drying out when cooked with convection heat in an air fryer — even if you accidentally leave them in too long. That makes them the perfect candidate for cooking in a blazing hot air fryer.
If the only recipe I was allowed to make in my air fryer was chicken thighs, I’d still buy one and give it the space on my counter. That’s how much I like boneless skinless air fryer, chicken thighs, and how often they show up in my weekly meal routine.
And as with many of my favorite air fryer recipes, there’s almost no mess to cleanup after. Air fryers typically have nonstick baskets that come clean with a few wipes of soapy hot water.
Chicken thighs are the perfect air fryer food.
Here’s how to make air fryer chicken thighs in 15 minutes
- Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: Toss package of chicken thighs with seasoning mixture or simply with salt and pepper
- Step 3: Cook chicken thighs for 15 minutes, flipping them after 8 (cook longer if you like a crispier outside)
- Step 4: Let cool and serve over salad or with side of rice and vegetables.
You won’t need more than 15 minutes to make this magic happen.
Do you need oil when cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer?
You don’t need oil when cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer, but a little won’t hurt.
I’ve tried cooking air fryer chicken thighs with and without oil and they turn out great either way. There’s enough fat content in thighs to cook without oil. And if you’re using a sauce, there’s really no need to add oil on top of it.
If you are planning to add cooking oil, don’t use much. About a teaspoon per every four thighs should suffice.
Should you bread chicken before cooking in the air fryer?
Chicken breasts do better in the air fryer when breaded but thighs have enough fat content to do without.
Yes, I have and it’s excellent for adding texture to this simple recipe. A quick coating of egg wash and breading gives air fryer chicken thighs a divine crunch, but also adds some extra carbs and calories. It also makes for more dishes to wash after and a dirtier air fryer basket, so I often go without. Use this method if you’re making air fryer chicken Parmesan or for a fast fried chicken sandwich.
If you’re cooking boneless chicken breast in the air fryer, I recommend breading them to keep the lean meat from drying out.
Whether you’re adding some cooking oil to the chicken thighs or breading your cuts before air frying them, you’ll need to clean out your appliance afterwards to make sure it keeps functioning efficiently the next time you want to cook up a quick meal. Here’s our complete guide to cleaning your air fryer, so that you can keep your cookware at the top of its game.
Even this small 2-quart air fryer holds four to five chicken thighs.
For more, here’s a complete guide to air fryers and seven things I’ll never cook in the air fryer again.
FAQs
How long should I fry my chicken thighs?
While this particular recipe calls for you to air fry the chicken thighs for 15 minutes, you’ll get the best result if you flip them over around halfway through the cooking time. This will make sure you get an even crisp on the outside and help prevent the meat from drying out.
Can I bread chicken before air frying it?
Yes, you can bread your chicken thighs before cooking them up in the air fryer. It adds some taste and texture to the recipe, but be aware that the breading will definitely ensure that you’ll need to do some extra cleaning when you’re finished cooking.
