These easy air fryer boneless chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold flavor. The combination of garlic, paprika, and a touch of cayenne creates a rich, savory crust, while the circulating hot air locks in moisture for irresistibly tender chicken. Best of all, this easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
It only takes minutes to make a tasty and healthy meal by air-frying boneless, skinless chicken thighs. While using an air fryer, you can make chicken thighs crispy and tender with 25% less fat than when deep-frying. But the most important thing about this easy recipe is that you know exactly how long to cook them. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know to air fry boneless chicken thighs, from the best way to do it to the best times to cook them.
Benefits of Cooking Boneless Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
Air frying boneless skinless chicken thighs has many advantages over other cooking methods:
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Quick cooking time – Cooks in just 18-22 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. Much faster than baking.
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Crispy exterior – The circulating hot air makes the outside crispy without deep frying.
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Juicy interior – Thighs stay moist and tender thanks to minimal direct heat.
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Customizable flavor – Easily season or marinate as desired. The air fryer seals in flavors
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Healthier – Uses little to no oil for cooking, reducing calories and fat intake.
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Consistency – The enclosed cooking environment promotes even cooking with no guesswork
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Versatile – Thighs pair well with countless sides and sauces for mealtime creativity.
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Convenient – Simple cleanup since there’s minimal oil splatter. Most air fryer parts are dishwasher safe.
How Long to Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
For chicken thighs without bones, 380°F is the best temperature for an air fryer. At this temperature, the chicken thighs will be fully cooked in 18 to 22 minutes, with a crispy outside and a juicy inside. Here are the step-by-step cook times:
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Preheat air fryer at 380°F for 3-5 minutes. This helps the chicken start crisping immediately.
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Cook thighs for 12-15 minutes on one side. Times vary slightly with thigh size.
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Flip thighs and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes.
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Check temperature by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest part. It should reach 165°F.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. The resting period helps lock in juices.
To get crispier skin, add one to two minutes to the second cook time and keep an eye on it closely to make sure it doesn’t get too done. If you’re reheating cooked thighs, let them get crispy again for 3 to 5 minutes at 350°F.
Tips for the Best Results When Air Frying Boneless Chicken Thighs
Follow these expert tips and tricks to take your air fried chicken thighs to the next level:
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Pat thighs dry before seasoning to help achieve crispy skin. Moisture prevents crispiness.
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Use a light coat of oil like avocado or olive oil to encourage browning and prevent drying out.
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Season generously with spices, herbs, or dry rubs for enhanced flavor. Air frying seals in seasonings.
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Flip halfway through to guarantee thighs brown evenly on both sides.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches for proper air circulation and crispiness.
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Brush on sauce in the last 2-3 minutes only to avoid burning.
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Let rest before serving so juices can redistribute through the meat.
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Check larger thighs early and add extra cook time if needed.
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Use a meat thermometer to test doneness rather than cutting into thighs.
How to Know When Boneless Chicken Thighs Are Done
Since thigh meat contains more fat and collagen than chicken breasts, it can be tricky to recognize when air fried thighs are fully cooked. Follow these visual and temperature cues:
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165°F: This is the lowest temperature at which chicken is safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer for the most reliable doneness indicator.
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Skin is crispy and browned – The skin will develop a golden brown, crispy exterior when fully cooked.
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Meat is no longer pink – Slice into a thigh at the minimum cook time to check for pinkness. Return to cook if underdone.
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Juices run clear – Check the juices released when piercing the chicken. Clear juices signal doneness while pink juices mean more cook time is needed.
Allowing thighs to rest before cutting into them will result in the juiciest texture. If still unsure of doneness, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and cook a minute or two longer.
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipe and Serving Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the ideal cook times, you can follow this simple recipe for foolproof boneless chicken thighs every time.
Ingredients:
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6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
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1 teaspoon pepper
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1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
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1⁄2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions:
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Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Mix spices in small bowl.
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Toss chicken and oil in large bowl. Coat thoroughly with spice mixture.
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Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Add thighs in single layer, smooth-side down.
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Cook 12 minutes. Flip thighs and cook 6-8 minutes more until 165°F.
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Allow thighs to rest 5 minutes before serving.
These juicy thighs pair perfectly with roasted veggies, rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or fresh green salads. For extra flavor, try tossing the cooked thighs in your favorite sauce like barbecue, buffalo, or teriyaki.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fried Chicken Thighs
Like most cooked chicken, leftovers from air fried boneless thighs will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 4 months.
To reheat, place thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through. The air fryer will help restore their original crispy texture.
Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals just until warmed through, then add crunch by quickly broiling the thighs for 1-2 minutes if desired.
Get Perfectly Cooked Juicy Chicken Thighs Every Time
Achieving tender, juicy boneless chicken thighs with crispy skin is easy with an air fryer. Cook between 380-400°F for 18-22 minutes, flip halfway, and use a meat thermometer to confirm they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Let thighs rest before serving to lock in moisture.
Season boldly, avoid overcrowding, and utilize a light oil coating for best results. In just minutes, you’ll be enjoying delicious air fried chicken thighs boasting maximum flavor and juiciness with minimal effort required.
Recipe Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Use skin-on thighs for extra crispiness. If you like your food crispier, try this recipe with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and add a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. If you need to, cook in batches to make sure there is enough air flow for even crisping.
- Let the chicken rest. After cooking, letting the meat rest for 5 minutes helps keep the juices in, which makes it even more tender.
- Adjust cooking time for larger thighs. If your chicken thighs are very thick, they may need an extra two to three minutes of cooking time. Always check with a meat thermometer.
Air fryer boneless chicken thighs pair well with a variety of sides. Here are a few favorites:
- A quick and easy side dish that goes well with the strong flavors of the chicken is crispy air fryer potato wedges.
- Thyme-roasted radishes and onions are a healthy, fresh option for a meal.
- The seasonings and juices from the chicken can soak up into the cauliflower rice without making it too high in carbs or keto.
- These thighs would go great with dairy-free mashed potatoes, which are creamy and tasty.
- A fresh salad with sliced chicken and mixed greens dressed with lemon vinaigrette for a lighter meal.
How to Make This Easy Air Fryer Chicken
Step 1: Put the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Mix them together.
Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is key for getting crispy results.
Step 3: Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken and rub until evenly coated.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes. Lightly coat the basket with cooking spray.
Step 5: Arrange the chicken in a single layer, smooth-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Let the juicy chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe | Munchy Goddess
FAQ
How long does it take to cook boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer?
Set the air fryer to 400°F (no need to preheat it) and put the basket with the chicken thighs in there. Then, here are the cooking times for boneless, skinless chicken thighs in bundles: cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. Unrolled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Cook for 10 minutes. Mar 4, 2025.
How long to air fry boneless chicken thighs at 400 reddit?
It was a simple recipe where I just let the chicken marinate with a little sesame oil and spices for two hours and then baked at 400 for 18 minutes. Nov 4, 2023.
How long do you air Fry boneless chicken thighs?
For 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 170 degrees F (77 degrees C), air fry boneless chicken thighs. For juicy dark meat, this higher temperature is best. The chicken thighs’ cooking time will depend on their size, and it will take longer if you didn’t heat the air fryer first.
Can you cook boneless skinless chicken thighs in an air fryer?
These boneless skinless chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer making them the perfect weeknight dinner. These cook in minutes and are perfectly juicy every time. This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and seasonings. The perfect flavor bomb for chicken thighs.
How do you cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?
Brown the top: Move the dish under the broiler under high heat for 5 minutes to lightly char the thighs (optional). Rest and serve: Rest the chicken in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Add to basket: Add the parmesan chicken thighs to the air fryer basket in a single layer.